Hebrews 12 5

Hebrews 12:5 kjv

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

Hebrews 12:5 nkjv

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

Hebrews 12:5 niv

And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

Hebrews 12:5 esv

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

Hebrews 12:5 nlt

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don't make light of the LORD's discipline,
and don't give up when he corrects you.

Hebrews 12 verses

Hebrews 12 5 Meaning

This verse serves as a crucial reminder to believers, urging them not to dismiss lightly nor become disheartened by the Lord's discipline. Addressed intimately "as sons," it highlights God's role as a loving Father who uses corrective and formative training for the spiritual good of His children. True divine discipline is not punishment for sins already atoned for by Christ, but purposeful instruction designed to mature, purify, and lead believers towards righteousness, reflecting His parental care rather than arbitrary anger.

Hebrews 12 5 Context

Hebrews chapter 12 follows a powerful exhortation to endurance in the Christian race, referencing the "cloud of witnesses" (Heb 12:1) from chapter 11 and directing believers to fix their eyes on Jesus, the supreme example of perseverance (Heb 12:2-4). The immediate audience, likely Jewish Christians, faced severe opposition, weariness, and spiritual lethargy. Some were tempted to abandon their faith, perhaps misinterpreting their suffering as God's abandonment or punishment. Hebrews 12:5, along with the subsequent verses, reframes this suffering as evidence of God's loving fatherly discipline, essential for spiritual growth and partaking in His holiness. It aims to encourage them to persist and not give up.

Hebrews 12 5 Word analysis

• "And have you forgotten" (καὶ ἐκλέλησθε - kai eklelēsthe): This is a rhetorical question, designed to jolt the readers. It implies they once knew this truth but, in their struggles, have lost sight of it. The perfect tense indicates a present state of forgetting or having ceased to remember.
• "the exhortation" (τῆς παρακλήσεως - tēs paraklēseōs): From paraklēsis, meaning encouragement, consolation, admonition, or appeal. It's a word meant to strengthen and guide, not merely a casual reminder.
• "that addresses you" (διαλέγεται - dialegōtai): Implies a direct and reasoned communication, not just a distant pronouncement. God is speaking specifically to them.
• "as sons" (ὡς υἱοῦς - hōs huios): This foundational phrase emphasizes the intimate, familial relationship believers have with God. It elevates their identity beyond mere servants to beloved children, framing God's actions as a parent's loving care.
• "My son" (Υἱέ μου - Huié mou): The opening address of the quoted proverb. It is personal, tender, and establishes the direct parental context for what follows.
• "do not regard lightly" / "do not despise" (μὴ ὀλιγώρει - mē oligōrei): Oligōreō means to make little of, disdain, neglect, or scorn. It warns against an attitude of indifference or contempt towards God's discipline, which might stem from pride, misunderstanding, or bitterness.
• "the discipline" (παιδείας - paideias): The pivotal term, paideia. It's a comprehensive Greek concept that includes the upbringing, training, education, instruction, and moral correction of children, often involving reproof and chastisement. It aims at moral and spiritual formation, not vindictive punishment. Its purpose is positive and formative.
• "of the Lord" (Κυρίου - Kyriou): Designates God as the ultimate source of this discipline, emphasizing His divine authority, wisdom, and benevolence in applying it. It’s not random suffering but purposeful action from the Sovereign God.
• "nor faint" / "nor lose heart" (μηδὲ ἐκλύου - mēde eklyou): Eklýo means to become weary, lose strength, relax effort, or give up. This contrasts with the perseverance exhorted throughout the chapter. It warns against despondency, resignation, or spiritual exhaustion in response to trials.
• "when you are reproved" / "when you are rebuked" (ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ ἐλεγχόμενος - hyp’ autou elegchomenos): Elegchō means to convict, convince, expose, or rebuke. Here, it signifies being confronted with truth, being corrected, or having one's faults exposed by God for the purpose of growth and righteousness. The passive voice indicates God is the one doing the reproving.

Words-group analysis:

• "And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons": This entire phrase is a pastoral call to remember. It underlines the importance and personal nature of God's Word concerning their experience. Forgetting these divine truths leaves them vulnerable to misinterpreting their suffering.
• "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord": This imperative focuses on the active negative response – do not disdain or make little of God’s training. It addresses the internal attitude of heart and mind towards divine intervention, highlighting that humility and serious reception are required.
• "nor faint when you are reproved by Him": This complements the first injunction, addressing a different but equally dangerous response to discipline – that of losing courage or giving up. It encourages resilience and trust, assuring them that reproof, though difficult, is from God and serves a purpose, preventing spiritual weariness or apostasy.

Hebrews 12 5 Bonus section

The quote in Hebrews 12:5-6 is taken directly from the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament. This demonstrates the seamless continuity between Old and New Testament principles regarding God's character and His interaction with His people. The use of this specific passage highlights God's fatherly role, a concept deeply enriched in the New Covenant through adoption into His family. Furthermore, the author of Hebrews frequently employs athletic imagery, depicting the Christian life as a "race." Within this metaphor, God's discipline (paideia) can be understood as the rigorous training a runner undergoes – painful and demanding, but essential for strength, endurance, and ultimately, success in the race of faith. Forgetting or rejecting this training would naturally lead to a failure to run with endurance or complete the course set before them.

Hebrews 12 5 Commentary

Hebrews 12:5 is a vital theological anchor for believers navigating trials and hardships. It teaches that apparent difficulties are not always signs of God's displeasure but are often evidence of His profound, transforming love. By quoting Proverbs 3:11-12, the author establishes the Old Testament precedent for understanding God as a Father who actively trains and corrects His children. The key lies in understanding "discipline" (paideia) as a holistic process of instruction and formation, much like a parent raises a child through teaching, guidance, and sometimes correction.

This divine paideia serves several critical purposes: it exposes hidden faults, corrects misguided paths, strengthens weak areas, and cultivates righteousness, ultimately shaping believers into the image of Christ and enabling them to participate in God's holiness (Heb 12:10). The verse warns against two pitfalls: on one hand, spiritual arrogance or apathy that dismisses God's discipline as insignificant; on the other, debilitating despair or resentment that causes one to lose heart and abandon the faith. The proper response is humble submission, recognizing the love and wisdom behind the discipline, and enduring with hope. For instance, when facing repeated failures, a believer might feel discouraged, but if they see these as God's loving hand highlighting areas for growth and deeper reliance on Him, it transforms despair into purpose. Similarly, a proud individual might resist God's corrections through difficult circumstances, yet these experiences are precisely how God works to humble and teach them dependence.