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Text -- Hebrews 12:10 (NET)

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Context
12:10 For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness.
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Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
, Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Combined Bible , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Heb 12:10 - -- They ( hoi men ). Demonstrative hoi in contrast (men ).

They ( hoi men ).

Demonstrative hoi in contrast (men ).

Robertson: Heb 12:10 - -- Chastened ( epaideuon ). Imperfect active, used to chasten.

Chastened ( epaideuon ).

Imperfect active, used to chasten.

Robertson: Heb 12:10 - -- As seemed good to them ( kata to dokoun autois ). "According to the thing seeming good to them."Dokoun is present active neuter singular articular ...

As seemed good to them ( kata to dokoun autois ).

"According to the thing seeming good to them."Dokoun is present active neuter singular articular participle of dokeō .

Robertson: Heb 12:10 - -- But he ( ho de ). Demonstrative with de vs. men .

But he ( ho de ).

Demonstrative with de vs. men .

Robertson: Heb 12:10 - -- For our profit ( epi to sumpheron ). Present active articular neuter singular participle of sumpherō , to bear together as in 1Co 12:7.

For our profit ( epi to sumpheron ).

Present active articular neuter singular participle of sumpherō , to bear together as in 1Co 12:7.

Robertson: Heb 12:10 - -- That we may be partakers ( eis to metalabein ). Articular second aorist active infinitive of metalambanō with eis for purpose, "for the partaki...

That we may be partakers ( eis to metalabein ).

Articular second aorist active infinitive of metalambanō with eis for purpose, "for the partaking."

Robertson: Heb 12:10 - -- Of his holiness ( tēs hagiotētos autou ). Genitive with metalabein (to share in). Rare word, in N.T. only here and 2Co 1:12.

Of his holiness ( tēs hagiotētos autou ).

Genitive with metalabein (to share in). Rare word, in N.T. only here and 2Co 1:12.

Vincent: Heb 12:10 - -- Much difficulty and confusion have attached to the interpretation of this verse, growing out of: (a) the relations of the several clauses; (b) the me...

Much difficulty and confusion have attached to the interpretation of this verse, growing out of: (a) the relations of the several clauses; (b) the meaning of for a few days , and how much is covered by it. The difficulties have been aggravated by the determination of commentators to treat the verse by itself, confining the relation of its clauses within its own limits, attempting to throw them into pairs, in which attempt none of them have succeeded, and entirely overlooking relations to the preceding verse.

For a few days ( πρὸς ὀλίγας ἡμέρας )

This clause is directly related to be in subjection to the father of spirits and live , and points a contrast. On the one hand, subjection to the Father of spirits, the source of all life, has an eternal significance. Subjection to his fatherly discipline means, not only the everlasting life of the future, but present life, eternal in quality, developed even while the discipline is in progress. Subjection to the Father of spirits and life go together. On the other hand, the discipline of the human father is brief in duration, and its significance is confined to the present life. In other words, the offset to for a few days is in Heb 12:9. To read for a few days into the two latter clauses of the verse which describes the heavenly discipline, and to say that both the chastening of the earthly and of the heavenly father are of brief duration, is to introduce abruptly into a sharp contrast between the two disciplines a point of resemblance. The dominant idea in πρὸς is not mere duration , but duration as related to significance: that is to say, " for a few days" means, during just that space of time in which the chastisement had force and meaning. See, for instances, Luk 8:13; Joh 5:35; 1Th 2:17; 2Co 7:8. The few days can scarcely refer to the whole lifetime, since, even from the ancient point of view of the continuance of parental authority, parental discipline is not applied throughout the lifetime. It signifies rather the brief period of childhood and youth.

Vincent: Heb 12:10 - -- After their own pleasure ( κατὰ τὸ δοκοῦν αὐτοῖς ) Better, as seemed good to them . The αὐτοῖς ha...

After their own pleasure ( κατὰ τὸ δοκοῦν αὐτοῖς )

Better, as seemed good to them . The αὐτοῖς has a slightly emphatic force, as contrasted with a higher intelligence. The thought links itself with παιδευτὰς in Heb 12:9, and is explained by as seemed good to them , and is placed in contrast with subjection to the Father of spirits. The human parents were shortsighted, fallible, sometimes moved by passion rather than by sound judgment, and, therefore, often mistaken in their disciplinary methods. What seemed good to them was not always best for us . No such possibility of error attaches to the Father of spirits.

Vincent: Heb 12:10 - -- But he for our profit ( ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὸ συμφέρον ) The contrast is with what is implied in as seemed good to the...

But he for our profit ( ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τὸ συμφέρον )

The contrast is with what is implied in as seemed good to them . The human parent may not have dealt with us to our profit. Συμφέρειν means to bring together: to collect or contribute in order to help: hence, to help or be profitable . Often impersonally, συμφέρει it is expedient , as Mat 5:29; Mat 18:6; Joh 11:50. The neuter participle, as here, advantage , profit , 1Co 12:7; 2Co 12:1. There is a backward reference to live , Heb 12:9, the result of subjection to the Father of spirits; and this is expanded and defined in the final clause, namely:

Vincent: Heb 12:10 - -- That we might be partakers of his holiness ( εἰς το μεταλαβεῖν τῆς ἁγιότητος αὐτοῦ ) Lit. unto t...

That we might be partakers of his holiness ( εἰς το μεταλαβεῖν τῆς ἁγιότητος αὐτοῦ )

Lit. unto the partaking of his holiness . Ἑις marks the final purpose of chastening. Holiness is life. Shall we not be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For, in contrast with the temporary, faultful chastening of the human parent, which, at best, prepares for work and success in time and in worldly things, his chastening results in holiness and eternal life.

Wesley: Heb 12:10 - -- How few are even all our day on earth! Chastened us as they thought good - Though frequently they erred therein, by too much either of indulgence or s...

How few are even all our day on earth! Chastened us as they thought good - Though frequently they erred therein, by too much either of indulgence or severity. But he always, unquestionably, for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness - That is, of himself and his glorious image.

JFB: Heb 12:10 - -- Showing wherein the chastisement of our heavenly Father is preferable to that of earthly fathers.

Showing wherein the chastisement of our heavenly Father is preferable to that of earthly fathers.

JFB: Heb 12:10 - -- That is, with a view to our well-being in the few days of our earthly life: so the Greek.

That is, with a view to our well-being in the few days of our earthly life: so the Greek.

JFB: Heb 12:10 - -- Greek, "according to what seemed fit to themselves." Their rule of chastening is what may seem fit to their own often erring judgment, temper, or capr...

Greek, "according to what seemed fit to themselves." Their rule of chastening is what may seem fit to their own often erring judgment, temper, or caprice. The two defects of human education are: (1) the prevalence in it of a view to the interests of our short earthly term of days; (2) the absence in parents of the unerring wisdom of our heavenly Father. "They err much at one time in severity, at another in indulgence [1Sa 3:13; Eph 6:4], and do not so much chasten as THINK they chasten" [BENGEL].

JFB: Heb 12:10 - -- Becoming holy as He is holy (Joh 15:2). To become holy like God is tantamount to being educated for passing eternity with God (Heb 12:14; 2Pe 1:4). So...

Becoming holy as He is holy (Joh 15:2). To become holy like God is tantamount to being educated for passing eternity with God (Heb 12:14; 2Pe 1:4). So this "partaking of God's holiness" stands in contrast to the "few days" of this life, with a view to which earthly fathers generally educate their sons.

Clarke: Heb 12:10 - -- For - a few days - The chastisement of our earthly parents lasted only a short time; that of our heavenly Father will also be but a short time, if w...

For - a few days - The chastisement of our earthly parents lasted only a short time; that of our heavenly Father will also be but a short time, if we submit: and as our parents ceased to correct when we learned obedience; so will our heavenly Father when the end for which he sent the chastisement is accomplished. God delights not in the rod; judgment is his strange work.

Calvin: Heb 12:10 - -- 10.=== For they verily for a few days, === etc. The second amplification of the subject, as I have said, is that God’s chastisements are appointed...

10.=== For they verily for a few days, === etc. The second amplification of the subject, as I have said, is that God’s chastisements are appointed to subdue and mortify our flesh, so that we may be renewed for a celestial life. It hence appears that the fruit or benefit is to be perpetual; but such a benefit cannot be expected from men, since their discipline refers to civil life, and therefore properly belongs to the present world. It hence follows that these chastisements bring far greater benefit, as the spiritual holiness conferred by God far exceeds the advantages which belong to the body.

Were any one to object and say, that it is the duty of parents to instruct their children in the fear and worship of God, and that therefore their discipline seems not to be confined to so short a time; to this the answer is, that this is indeed true, but the Apostle speaks here of domestic life, as we are wont commonly to speak of civil government; for though it belongs to magistrates to defend religion, yet we say that their office is confined to the limits of this life, for otherwise the civil and earthly government cannot be distinguished from the spiritual kingdom of Christ.

Moreover when God’s chastisements are said to be profitable to make men partners of his holiness, this is not to be so taken as though they made us really holy, but that they are helps to sanctify us, for by them the Lord exercises us in the work of mortifying the flesh.

TSK: Heb 12:10 - -- after their own pleasure : or, as seemed good, or meet, to them but he : Heb 12:5, Heb 12:6 partakers : Lev 11:44, Lev 11:45, Lev 19:2; Psa 17:15; Eze...

after their own pleasure : or, as seemed good, or meet, to them

but he : Heb 12:5, Heb 12:6

partakers : Lev 11:44, Lev 11:45, Lev 19:2; Psa 17:15; Eze 36:25-27; Eph 4:24, Eph 5:26, Eph 5:27; Col 1:22; Tit 2:14; 1Pe 1:15, 1Pe 1:16, 1Pe 2:5, 1Pe 2:9; 2Pe 1:4

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Heb 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 ma...

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 secure the benefit to be derived for so short a period from fatherly correction, we submitted without complaining. Much more cheerfully ought we to submit to that discipline from the hand of our heavenly Father which is designed to extend its benefits through eternity. This seems to me to afford a better sense than that adopted by Prof. Stuart and others, that it means "during our childhood or minority;"or than that proposed by Doddridge, that it refers both to our earthly parents and to our heavenly Father.

After their own pleasure - Margin, "as seemed good, or meet to them."Meaning that it was sometimes done arbitrarily, or from caprice, or under the influence of passion. This is an additional reason why we should submit to God. We submitted to our earthly parents, though their correction was sometimes passionate, and was designed to gratify their own pleasure rather than to promote our good. There is much of this kind of punishment in families; but there is none of it under the administration of God.

But he for our profit - Never from passion, from caprice, from the love of power or superiority, but always for our good. The exact benefit which he designs to produce we may not be able always to understand, but we may be assured that no other cause influences him than a desire to promote our real welfare, and as he can never be mistaken in regard to the proper means to secure that, we may be assured that our trials are always adapted to that end.

That we might be partakers of his holiness - Become so holy that it may be said that we are partakers of the very holiness of God; compare 2Pe 1:4. This is the elevated object at which God aims by our trials. It is not that he delights to produce pain; not that he envies us and would rob us of our little comforts; not that he needs what we prize to increase his own enjoyment, and therefore rudely takes it away; and not that he acts from caprice - now conferring a blessing and then withdrawing it without any reason: it is, that he may make us more pure and holy, and thus promote our own best interest. To be holy as God is holy; to be so holy that it may be said that we "are partakers of his holiness,"is a richer blessing than health, and property, and friends, without it; and when by the exchange of the one we acquire the other, we have secured infinitely more than we have lost. To obtain the greater good we should be willing to part with the less; to secure the everlasting friendship and favour of God we should be willing, if necessary, to surrender the last farthing of our property; the last friend that is left us; the last feeble and fluttering pulsation of life in our veins.

Poole: Heb 12:10 - -- For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure: as God hath his prerogative in paternity, so he hath the transcendency in the e...

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure: as God hath his prerogative in paternity, so he hath the transcendency in the end of chastening his children; for our natural parents, fathers of our bodies, nurtured us by the word and rod for a little time, the days of childhood and youth, as they would and thought good, as they apprehended their power over them, arbitrarily, passionately, without reaching what is best for them by it; their own thoughts, whether good or bad, were the rule of their chastening, and such as their thoughts are, such is their end; how imperfect and defective must that be!

But he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness but God, the Father of our spirits, corrects us epi to sumferon , which strictly notes comportation, intimating, that in his chastening his children he brings in his help, puts as it were his shoulder to it, brings in his stock of grace, and so bears together with them unto their advantage and profit in spiritual life, and this during our whole lives. That which he bears home to them, and puts in them by his chastening, is his holiness; of which being made partakers, they thrive mightily as to their spiritual life, and increase in the Divine nature with all the increases of God, Eph 3:13,19 Col 2:19 .

Gill: Heb 12:10 - -- For they verily for a few days chastened us,.... Which respects not the minority of children, during which time they are under the correction of paren...

For they verily for a few days chastened us,.... Which respects not the minority of children, during which time they are under the correction of parents, and which is but a few days; nor the short life of parents; but rather the end which parents have in chastening their children, which is their temporal good, and which lasts but for a few days; which sense the opposition in the latter part of the text requires: and this they do

after their own pleasure: not to please and delight themselves in the pains and cries of their children, which would be brutish and inhuman; though corrections are too often given to gratify the passions; nor merely in an arbitrary way, and when they please; but the sense is, they correct as seems good unto them; in the best way and manner; to the best of their judgments, which are fallible:

but he for our profit; saints are no losers by afflictions; they lose nothing but their dross and tin; they do not lose the love of God; nor their interest in the covenant of grace; nor the presence of God; nor grace in their own hearts; nor spiritual peace and comfort: on the contrary, they are real gainers by them; their graces gain by them fresh lustre and glory; they obtain a greater degree of spiritual knowledge; and a larger stock of experience; and are hereby restored to their former state, duty, and zeal; and become more conformable to Christ; yea, their afflictions conduce to their future glory; many are the profits arising from them. The Alexandrian copy reads in the plural number, "profits": particularly God's end in chastening of his children is,

that we might be partakers of his holiness; not the essential holiness of God, which is incommunicable; but a communicative holiness of his, which it is his determining will his people should have: it comes from him, from whom every good and perfect gift does; it is in Christ for them, and is received out of his fulness; and is wrought in them by the Spirit; and it bears a resemblance to the divine nature: now men are naturally destitute of this holiness; they have it not by nature, but by participation; as God's gift; and they first partake of it in regeneration; and here an increase of it is designed, a gradual participation of it; and it may include perfect holiness in heaven: afflictions are designed as means to bring persons to this end; to bring them to a sense of sin, an acknowledgment of it, an aversion to it, and to a view of pardon of it; to purge it away; to wean the saints from this world; to increase their grace, and lead them on to a perfect state of glory, where there will be no more sin, and no more sorrow.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

Geneva Bible: Heb 12:10 ( 7 ) 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. ...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Heb 12:1-29 - --1 An exhortation to constant faith, patience, and godliness.22 A commendation of the new testament above the old.

Combined Bible: Heb 12:10 - --Chastisement    (Hebrews 12:10)    Would any Christian in his right mind dare to pray, Let me not be afflicted, no matter what ...

Maclaren: Heb 12:10 - --A Father's Discipline 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 ...

MHCC: Heb 12:1-11 - --The persevering obedience of faith in Christ, was the race set before the Hebrews, wherein they must either win the crown of glory, or have everlastin...

Matthew Henry: Heb 12:4-17 - -- Here the apostle presses the exhortation to patience and perseverance by an argument taken from the gentle measure and gracious nature of those suff...

Barclay: Heb 12:5-11 - --The writer to the Hebrews sets out still another reason why men should cheerfully bear affliction when it comes to them. He has urged them to bear it...

Constable: Heb 11:1--12:14 - --IV. THE PROPER RESPONSE 11:1--12:13 "In chapter 10:22-25 there were three exhortations, respectively to Faith, H...

Constable: Heb 12:1-13 - --B. Demonstrating Necessary Endurance 12:1-13 The writer followed up his scriptural exposition with anoth...

Constable: Heb 12:4-11 - --2. The proper view of trials 12:4-11 The writer put his readers' sufferings in perspective so they might not overestimate the difficulty they faced in...

College: Heb 12:1-29 - --HEBREWS 12 VIII. GOD EXPECTS US TO ENDURE DISCIPLINE (12:1-29) A. A CALL TO PERSEVERANCE (12:1-3) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a gr...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Hebrews (Book Introduction) The Epistle to the Hebrews By Way of Introduction Unsettled Problems Probably no book in the New Testament presents more unsettled problems tha...

JFB: Hebrews (Book Introduction) CANONICITY AND AUTHORSHIP.--CLEMENT OF ROME, at the end of the first century (A.D), copiously uses it, adopting its words just as he does those of the...

JFB: Hebrews (Outline) THE HIGHEST OF ALL REVELATIONS IS GIVEN US NOW IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO IS GREATER THAN THE ANGELS, AND WHO, HAVING COMPLETED REDEMPTION, SITS ENTHRONE...

TSK: Hebrews 12 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Heb 12:1, An exhortation to constant faith, patience, and godliness; Heb 12:22, A commendation of the new testament above the old.

Poole: Hebrews 12 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 13

MHCC: Hebrews (Book Introduction) This epistle shows Christ as the end, foundation, body, and truth of the figures of the law, which of themselves were no virtue for the soul. The grea...

MHCC: Hebrews 12 (Chapter Introduction) (Heb 12:1-11) An exhortation to be constant and persevere, The example of Christ is set forth, and the gracious design of God in all the sufferings be...

Matthew Henry: Hebrews (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Epistle to the Hebrews Concerning this epistle we must enquire, I. Into the divine authority of it...

Matthew Henry: Hebrews 12 (Chapter Introduction) The apostle, in this chapter, applies what he has collected in the chapter foregoing, and makes use of it as a great motive to patience and perseve...

Barclay: Hebrews (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS God Fulfils Himself In Many Ways Religion has never been the same thing to all men. "God," as Tennyson sai...

Barclay: Hebrews 12 (Chapter Introduction) The Race And The Goal (Heb_12:1-2) The Standard Of Comparison (Heb_12:3-4) The Discipline Of God (Heb_12:5-11) Duties, Aims And Dangers (Heb_12:...

Constable: Hebrews (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical background The writer said that he and those to whom he wrote ...

Constable: Hebrews (Outline)

Constable: Hebrews Hebrews Bibliography Andersen, Ward. "The Believer's Rest (Hebrews 4)." Biblical Viewpoint 24:1 (April 1990):31...

Haydock: Hebrews (Book Introduction) THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE HEBREWS. INTRODUCTION. The Catholic Church hath received and declared this Epistle to be part of ...

Gill: Hebrews (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS That this epistle was written very early appears from hence, that it was imitated by Clement of Rome, in his epistle to the...

Gill: Hebrews 12 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS 12 In this chapter the apostle presses to a constant exercise of faith and patience, amidst the various afflictions the sai...

College: Hebrews (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION It is difficult to overestimate the significance of Hebrews for understanding the nature of the new covenant. No other document in the N...

College: Hebrews (Outline) OUTLINE I. JESUS IS SUPERIOR TO THE ANGELS - 1:1-14 A. The Preeminence of the Son - 1:1-4 B. The Son Superior to the Angels - 1:5-14 II. ...

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