Hebrews 12:8

8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

Hebrews 12:8 in Other Translations

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.

8 the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God?

8 But if you are without discipline-which all receive-then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

Hebrews 12:8 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 12:8

But if ye be without chastisement
Or have no affliction:

whereof all are partakers;
that is, all the children of God; they are all alike children; they are all in a state of imperfection, and prone to sin; God has an impartial respect unto them: and though they are not all alike chastened, nor chastened at all times, yet none are exempted from chastisement, but have it in some way or another, and at some time or another.

Then are ye bastards, and not sons;
all are not sons that are under a profession of religion; all that are under a profession of religion are not chastised; but then those are not the children of God, but the children of the world, of Satan, and of the antichristian harlot; for though all that are chastised are not children, yet all that are children are chastised: hence we learn, that outward peace and prosperity is not a note of a true church; and that such have reason to distrust their state, who know not what it is to have the chastising rod of God upon them; and that afflictions are rather arguments for than against sonship.

Hebrews 12:8 In-Context

6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!

10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Peter 5:9