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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:4-11

Chastisement. In this passage the writer reminds the Hebrews that although doubtless they had sustained severe trials on account of their devotedness to Christ, none of them had yet been required to seal their faith with their blood ( Hebrews 12:4 ). Other children of God had suffered much more than they ( Hebrews 11:35-38 ), and had remained faithful. For them to apostatize would, therefore, be very heinous sin. Rather they must learn to view their afflictions as the corrections of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:5-10

God's discipline of his children. Continually in the New Testament, when we get into circumstances of doubt and pain, we are brought back to the rich truth and comfort to be found in the fatherhood of God. Here, as elsewhere, à fortiori argument is employed. If an earthly father, being evil, gives good gifts to his children, how much more will the heavenly Father give his Holy Spirit to them asking him? And even so, if an earthly father disciplines his children, making them do and bear... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:7-8

For chastening ye endure ; i.e. It is for chastening that ye endure. The reading εἰς παιδείαν ὑπομένετε , supported by almost the whole weight of manuscripts (including all the uncials that contain the text), of ancient versions, and commentators (Theophylact being the only certain exception), is decidedly to be accepted instead of the εἰ παιδείαν ὑπομένετε (equivalent to "if ye endure chastening") of the Textus Receptus. Moreover, it is required for the sense of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:9

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us (more correctly, we once had , or, we used to have , the fathers of our flesh as chasteners ), and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? This introduces an à fortiori argument. We are reminded of the days of our youth, while we were under parental discipline, and bore with it submissively: much more should we submit to the discipline of our heavenly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:10

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. The a fortiori argument is thus continued. The discipline of our earthly fathers was "for a few days," i.e. during our childhood only, since which we have been left to ourselves; and even then not necessarily for our greatest advantage; it was only as seemed good to them ( κατὰ τὸ δοκοῦν αὐτοῖς ); it might be injudicious, or even capricious.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 12:8

But if ye be without chastisement - If you never meet with anything that is adapted to correct your faults; to subdue your temper; to chide your wanderings, it would prove that you were in the condition of illegitimate children - cast off and disregarded by their father.Whereof all are partakers - All who are the true children of God.Then are ye bastards, and not sons - The reference here is to the neglect with which such children are treated, and to the general want of care and discipline over... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 12:9

Furthermore - As an additional consideration to induce us to receive chastisement with submission. The argument in this verse is derived from the difference in the spirit and design with which we are corrected by God and by an earthly parent. In God everything is without any intermingling of passion or any improper feeling. In an earthly parent there is often much that is the result of hasty emotion, of an irascible temper, perhaps of the mere love of power. There is much that is inflicted... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 12:10

For they verily for a few days - That is, with reference to a few days (πρὸς pros}; or it was a chastisement that had reference mainly to this short life. The apostle seems to bring in this circumstance to contrast the dealings of earthly parents with those of God. One of the circumstances is, that the corrections of earthly parents had a much less important object than those of God. They related to this life - a life so brief that it may be said to continue but a “few days.” Yet, in order to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 12:5-8

Hebrews 12:5-8. And ye have forgotten, &c. As if he had said, If you faint it will appear you have forgotten, the exhortation Wherein God speaks to you with the utmost tenderness; as unto his own dear children, saying, My son, despise not thou Do not slight or make light of; the chastening of the Lord Do not impute it to chance or to second causes, but see and revere the hand of God in it; account it a great mercy, and improve it; nor faint, and sink, when thou art rebuked... read more

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