Hebrews 12:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

NIV: Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

NASB: It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

CSB: Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?

NLT: As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?

KJV: If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

NKJV: If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?

Prior verses mentioned how great heroes of the faith suffered terrible hardships (Hebrews 11:35–38), along with their victories (Hebrews 11:33–35). The greatest example of these was Jesus, who was entirely sinless (Hebrews 4:15) and yet endured hatred and violence (Hebrews 12:3). The writer has been careful to point out that hardship is not a sign of God's abandonment. On the contrary, this is evidence that God is working to "train" us to be more like Him. Jesus was able to see His suffering as part of God's plan for future joy (Hebrews 12:2). The Old Testament itself had already pointed out that a truly loving father—like God—uses "discipline" for a child; this is not a sign of hate, but of love. The specific quote from the prior verses comes from Proverbs 3:11–12.

Scripture makes it clear that good parents are those who actively, purposefully seek to guide their children. This often involves discipline, or other related terms seen in the Bible, such as reproof, chastisement, rebuke, or training. Not all of these involve punishment for some sin or mistake. In many cases, they are simply moments where we are challenged in order to provoke spiritual growth. An athlete needs to "struggle" in order to build up his ability. In the same way, our spiritual lives are able to grow when we understand hardships as a sign of God's guidance and discipline.

Hebrews 12:3–17 builds from a description of heroes of the faith, culminating in Jesus Christ. Those who came before were loved by God and honored by God, and yet they suffered hardships in this world. In this passage, the writer makes it clear that suffering is often God's way of building us up and training us, not necessarily a sign of His displeasure. Christians who respond to trials by seeking God, in faith, can avoid the fate of less-faithful men, like Esau.

Chapter 11 explained the victories of some of the Old Testament's greatest heroes. It also explained their sufferings and persecution. This chapter uses those examples as a ''cloud of witnesses'' to prove that God does not abandon us when we suffer. In many cases, He uses those experiences to ''train'' us, as if we were athletes, to make us stronger. In other cases, it's the same kind of discipline that a child receives from a loving father. Unlike the old covenant, which rightly inspired fear and dread, the new covenant offers us peace. As with any other matter of truth or falsehood, we should cling to what's true, so that we can be part of ''a kingdom that cannot be shaken.''

Hebrews chapter 12 builds on the example of the heroes of the faith mentioned in chapter 11. The main point of this lesson is that these figures endured suffering and hardship, yet held to their faith in God, which allowed them to achieve victory. Chapter 12, in particular, points out that earthly hardship is not a sign of God's displeasure, or abandonment. Rather, it's part of living in a fallen, godless world. And, in many cases, it's a form of ''training'' the Lord uses to mold us into more powerful instruments. This, as with other passages in Hebrews, leads into another explanation of why we should take these ideas seriously, and sets up a few final practical lessons in chapter 13.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.