Proverbs 3:11 kjv

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

Proverbs 3:11 nkjv

My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction;

Proverbs 3:11 niv

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,

Proverbs 3:11 esv

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof,

Proverbs 3:11 nlt

My child, don't reject the LORD's discipline,
and don't be upset when he corrects you.

Proverbs 3 verses

Proverbs 3 11 Meaning

Proverbs 3:11 is a paternal instruction urging believers to wholeheartedly accept the Lord’s corrective actions without contempt or weariness. It teaches that divine discipline, encompassing both training and rebuke, is a sign of God’s fatherly love and care, aimed at growth rather than punitive punishment. It calls for an attitude of submission and learning, recognizing that such correction is always for our good.

Proverbs 3 11 Context

Proverbs 3:11 is nestled within the introductory section of the book of Proverbs (chapters 1-9), which serves as a father's exhortation to his son on the path of wisdom. This chapter specifically highlights foundational principles for living a life blessed by God, emphasizing trust in the Lord (vv. 5-6), generosity (vv. 9-10), and the proper response to divine correction. It follows directly after instructions on honoring the Lord with one's wealth, suggesting that discipline might relate to prosperity and adversity alike. Culturally, paternal instruction was the primary mode of moral and ethical transmission in ancient Israel, portraying God's relationship with His people in similar, familial terms. This verse subtly contrasts with pagan notions of capricious gods; instead, Israel's God is presented as a loving Father whose corrective actions are purposeful and beneficial, aimed at holiness and not mere wrath.

Proverbs 3 11 Word analysis

• "My son" (בְּנִֽי - beni): This intimate term highlights the paternal relationship between God and His people, as well as the earthly teacher and disciple. It signifies affection and a shared bond, implying that the discipline flows from love. This address sets the tone for a deeply personal instruction, not a detached philosophical observation.

• "do not despise" (אַל־תִּמְאַס - 'al-tim'as):

  • tim'as comes from the Hebrew root ma'as (מָאַס), meaning to reject, despise, loathe, or abhor. It implies active contempt and a complete rejection or spurning of something, treating it as worthless or detestable.
  • Significance: This strongly warns against a proud, rebellious spirit that dismisses or scorns God's hand in life's difficulties. It's not just disliking but actively scorning the discipline itself or the one administering it.

• "the LORD’s discipline" (מוּסַר־יְהוָה - musar-YHVH):

  • musar (מוּסָר) refers to instruction, training, moral discipline, chastisement, or correction. It encompasses both verbal instruction (like teachings from the Law or prophets) and practical corrective experiences, including suffering. Its goal is character formation, not solely punitive judgment.
  • YHVH (יְהוָה): The divine covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithful, relational nature. This clarifies that the discipline is not random misfortune or mere human trial, but intentional action from the Sovereign God who has entered into a covenant relationship with His people.
  • Significance: God's discipline is not arbitrary or spiteful but is a deliberate act of a loving Father, rooted in His covenant faithfulness, for the moral and spiritual refinement of His children.

• "or resent" (וְאַל־תֵּקֹ֗ץ - ve'al-teqotz):

  • teqotz comes from the Hebrew root qutz (קוּץ), meaning to dread, abhor, loathe, feel disgusted, shrink from, or be impatient with. It suggests a weariness, faint-heartedness, or disgust that leads to losing hope or becoming utterly fed up with a situation.
  • Significance: This warns against succumbing to despondency, bitterness, or utter frustration during discipline. While "despise" points to a defiant pride, "resent" points to a spirit of weary resignation or a giving up due to emotional burden, failing to endure.

• "His rebuke" (תּוֹכַחְתּוֹ - tokhahto):

  • tokhahath (תּוֹכַחַת) refers to reproof, correction, argumentation, or rebuke. It often denotes a verbal or instructional correction, bringing a person to conviction regarding their wrong course. It is a teaching through demonstrating fault or error.
  • Significance: This highlights the verbal or instructional component of God’s corrective work, which might come through His Word, a wise person, or the internal conviction of the Spirit, showing where we have erred and directing us toward the right path.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "do not despise... or resent": These two phrases cover a spectrum of negative reactions to discipline: despise represents a rebellious, prideful rejection born of contempt, while resent speaks to a weary, faint-hearted bitterness or exhaustion. Both attitudes are destructive and hinder spiritual growth.
  • "the LORD’s discipline... His rebuke": These parallel terms refer to God's corrective activity in general. "Discipline" (musar) often encompasses the broader process of moral training and formative experiences (including hardships), while "rebuke" (tokahath) often denotes specific verbal correction or reproof, addressing wrong actions or attitudes. Both flow from God's loving hand.

Proverbs 3 11 Bonus section

• Discipline as a Mark of Sonship: This verse, powerfully reinforced in Heb 12, highlights that true discipline is evidence of a genuine parent-child relationship with God. Those whom the Lord truly loves and accepts as sons, He disciplines. Lack of discipline can indicate a lack of genuine spiritual sonship (Heb 12:8).
• Holiness as the Goal: The ultimate purpose of God's discipline is not punishment but transformation—that we "may share his holiness" (Heb 12:10). It is a process of purification and sanctification, conforming us to the image of Christ.
• Wisdom through Endurance: Accepting and enduring divine discipline is an act of true wisdom. It demonstrates faith in God's goodness and foresight, acknowledging that His way is perfect, even when it involves temporary discomfort or pain. This posture is contrasted with the foolish who reject wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 3 11 Commentary

Proverbs 3:11 serves as a cornerstone for understanding the purpose of trials and hardships in the believer's life. It fundamentally redefines "suffering" from a random misfortune or punitive wrath into a loving, purposeful act of divine parenting. God, as our perfect Father, disciplines us not out of anger or whim, but out of profound love and a desire for our holiness and ultimate good (Heb 12:6, 10). When His correction comes, whether through a direct teaching from His Word, a painful circumstance, or a difficult experience, the instruction here is two-fold: do not react with scornful pride, nor with disheartened resentment. Despising God's discipline is to count His love and wisdom as nothing, exhibiting a defiant heart. Resenting His rebuke is to become weary or bitter, losing heart and potentially abandoning the path of righteousness because of the difficulty. The proper response is humility, submission, and endurance, recognizing that God's methods, though painful at the moment, yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

For practical application, consider:

• Parenting: A loving parent corrects a child for their safety and character development, not to punish maliciously. We should receive God's discipline similarly.
• Athletic Training: Athletes willingly undergo painful training for the sake of improved performance. The "pain" of discipline prepares us for greater spiritual endurance and fruitfulness.
• Educational Learning: A student submits to difficult lessons and exams, understanding they are necessary for true comprehension and advancement. God's discipline teaches us profound spiritual truths.