God disciplines his people through his word, through their experiences and through punishment, so that they may live in ways pleasing to him.
The nature of God's discipline
It is a sign of God's love
Hebrews 12:6 See also Proverbs 3:12; Psalm 119:75; Revelation 3:19
For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.”
It is a sign of belonging to God's family
Hebrews 12:6 See also Proverbs 3:12; Deuteronomy 8:5; 2 Samuel 7:14; Hebrews 12:7
For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.”
It trains God's people
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.
The means of God's discipline
The use of Scripture
2 Timothy 3:16 See also Deuteronomy 4:36, Deuteronomy 29:29; Isaiah 8:11
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
The knowledge of God's grace
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
Instructive experiences
See also Deuteronomy 8:1–5, Deuteronomy 11:2–7; Psalm 90:12; Isaiah 48:17
Painful experiences
Hebrews 12:7 See also 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; Hebrews 12:5, Hebrews 12:11; 1 Peter 1:6–7
Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
Punishment
Hebrews 12:6 See also Proverbs 3:12; Leviticus 26:18, Leviticus 26:21, Leviticus 26:23–24, Leviticus 26:27–28; 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 73:14; Jeremiah 32:19; Hosea 5:2, Hosea 7:15–16; 1 Corinthians 11:32
For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.”
God disciplines all and only his children
Hebrews 12:8 See also Hebrews 12:6
If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
The goals of God's discipline
Respectful submission to God
Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?
The good of God's people
Hebrews 12:10 See also Job 5:17–18; Psalm 94:12, Psalm 119:67, Psalm 119:71, Psalm 119:75
Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.
Spiritual growth
Hebrews 12:11 See also Proverbs 1:2–3
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.
Preparation for heaven
2 Corinthians 4:17–18 See also Romans 8:18; James 1:12
For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Believers should not despise God's discipline
Job 5:17 See also Hebrews 12:5; Proverbs 3:11
Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
Divine discipline in the church
By reproof
2 Corinthians 7:8, 2 Corinthians 13:2; 2 Thessalonians 3:15
For the benefit of sinners
Matthew 18:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1–7; 2 Thessalonians 3:14
As a warning to others
To be exercised with kindness
2 Corinthians 2:6; Galatians 6:1
The role of witnesses
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.