What is your understanding of Hebrews 12:9?

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TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
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#1
What is your understanding of Hebrews 12:9?

Hebrews 12:9
Darby Translation
9 Moreover we have had the fathers of our flesh as chasteners, and we reverenced [them]; shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
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#2
God disciplines Christians.. So while it may be a experience that causes us discomfort it is far better to be the focus of Gods correction then to be ignored by God..

(Hebrews 12:6-9) "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. {7} If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? {8} But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. {9} Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?"
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
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#3
We allow creatures, that is, our fathers, to chastise us, ergo it is great privilege to have that personal attention, correction and chastisement, from the Creator, our Heavenly Father.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
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#4
Hebrews 12:6 (AMP) - For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes. 7 You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline? 8 Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God’s children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all]. 9 Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we yielded [to them] and respected [them for training us]. Shall we not much more cheerfully submit to the Father of spirits and so [truly] live?
 

BeeBlessed

Active member
Jun 1, 2023
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#5
Correction should always be for the good of the child and is not abusive. Correction that comes with wisdom and love from our Creator is even better than that we may have received from our earthy parents—because God’s correction turns us toward Him and leads us into eternal life.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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#6
First, it means we all need correction. Second, correction only works if a deterrent is attached. Third, worldly deterrents are based on fear, loss, and pain. Fourth, godly deterrents are based on love, gain, and suffering. Fifth, worldly correction aims to punish. Sixth, godly correction aims to prosper.
There are still more differences between the two, but we get the idea.
For the Christian, regardless of the source of our correction, we should view it as from the Lord. Others may mean it for evil, but God always to our good.
I have always liked that Paul wrote that he was a prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ. Roman soldiers placed him in prison. They did so at the behest of the religious leaders. But God wanted him there.
 
Oct 30, 2023
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#8
What is your understanding of Hebrews 12:9?

Hebrews 12:9
Darby Translation
9 Moreover we have had the fathers of our flesh as chasteners, and we reverenced [them]; shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?
God (like all good fathers) chastens His children. [Note I am NOT limiting this to Christians.] I would point to both the Israelites and Nebuchadnezzar. The second clause is more interesting linking subjection to life. [Again I would not limit this to Christians and do NOT automatically assume that it has a link to gaining immortality.]

In understanding any scripture I believe one should consider the audience and situation. This book is written to a specific group and should be understood in that context.

Hebrews 1:1:
God having spoken in many parts and in many ways formerly to the fathers in the prophets,
 

selahsays

Well-known member
May 31, 2023
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#9
Correction should always be for the good of the child and is not abusive. Correction that comes with wisdom and love from our Creator is even better than that we may have received from our earthy parents—because God’s correction turns us toward Him and leads us into eternal life.
Amen! And we can only understand our Father’s correction by spending time in His Word and learning His ways. :)