Hebrews 12:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

NIV: If you are not disciplined--and everyone undergoes discipline--then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

NASB: But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

CSB: But if you are without discipline--which all receive--then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

NLT: If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.

KJV: But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

NKJV: But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

Here, the writer presents the alternative of discipline coming from a loving father: no discipline at all. In prior verses, heroes of the faith were said to have endured all sorts of worldly trials (Hebrews 11:35–38). Jesus, in particular, suffered despite being sinless (Hebrews 4:15) and still maintained belief that God would work all things out for future joys (Hebrews 12:2–3).

Here, the writer points out that a loving father disciplines, or trains, his children. It stands to reason, then, that those who don't experience any form of "discipline" are the equivalent to an illegitimate child. Note, carefully, that suffering the natural consequences of our sins is not the same as being disciplined by God. The context here is complex and easy to misunderstand. Many misinterpret this verse to mean that those who do not suffer some "minimum" level of persecution are not actually saved, but this is not the author's point. Recent verses specifically noted that the Christians to whom this letter was written had not endured nearly as much suffering as those who came before (Hebrews 12:4).

Earlier, the writer indicated that those who know God's will, but choose to disobey anyway, are subject to dire punishment (Hebrews 10:26–27). This is meant to be contrasted with the "discipline" suffered by those whom God is treating as sons and daughters. Those who take on the attitude of Jesus—that earthly hardships are God's way of preparing us for the future—are being "disciplined," as sons. The meaning and expectation of those trials is very different from those who suffer for the sake of their own disobedience. In prior passages, disobedience was linked to a loss of "inheritance" (Hebrews 6:11–12), again implying that God takes a fatherly stance towards His children. Later, this imagery will be mentioned again, in reference to Esau (Hebrews 12:17).

In short, those who are saved can expect to experience God's discipline. At the very least, this means enduring God's "chastening" through conviction when we sin. Those who profess to have faith in Christ, but experience no "discipline" of any kind when they sin—in particular a sense of conviction—are exhibiting signs of being "illegitimate children."

Further, this verse goes to support the idea that the warnings given earlier in Hebrews are directed at saved Christians. When we go astray, our loving Father correct us with some form of discipline. In extreme cases, this might result in drastic measures taken by God, in an effort to correct or block our path (Hebrews 6:7–8).

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.