Heb 12:6-8 Please Help!
 

Some one threw this passage at me, and I'm searching the forum but I must be doing it wrong, because I can't find an answer to those verses for the "God Punishes/Spanks us" lady.
Can somebody point me in the right direction, because I'm sure this scripture has been exhaustively addressed! here it is in the version she used to send me. (also made the point that other versions say "severely whips" etc.) (New Living Translation)
6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”[a]

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 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.

Re: Heb 12:6-8 Please Help!
 

Here's some threads. I think you have to read that passage in its surrounding context and keep in mind that the book of Hebrews was intended to encourage believers who were facing severe persecution. I think the REALLY difficult part about the passage is that the writer seems to be explaining that the Lord is using the persecution to discipline and purify the believers.

http://www.gentlechristianmothers.co...light=chastens

http://www.gentlechristianmothers.co...light=chastens

http://www.gentlechristianmothers.co...light=chastens (possibly updates information from above thread.)

http://www.gentlechristianmothers.co...light=chastens

Re: Heb 12:6-8 Please Help!
 

Disciplining doesn't mean hitting. :no It's root word is disciple which means "to teach" :tu We teach our children every day. :yes We teach them to follow our directions or we help them. ;) We teach them how to be kind to each other and love each other without hitting them to teach them. :amen I don't hit my kids when they're learning to walk, I don't need to hit them while I'm teaching them how to act. :no

My NIV says for verse 6:
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.

Chastens is VASTLY different from punish. Chasten according to my Oxford dictionary says: to have a restraining or moderating effect on. :no

Re: Heb 12:6-8 Please Help!
 

Re: Heb 12:6-8 Please Help!
 

Thanks, ladies! I feel much more "prepared" to give an answer now! :) I was searching by the verse instead of by the words, and wasn't having much luck my way. :)
you all rock!:heart

Re: Heb 12:6-8 Please Help!
 

Also, see my Hebrews 12 tag.