Chastening Yields Peaceable Fruit Hebrews 12:11

The writer of Hebrews shared with his readers how “chastening” was practiced for a short time by our “earthly fathers” and toward their own “profit”, however, God “instructs and educates” without end toward his “children's” benefit. In chapter twelve and verse eleven of Hebrews the writer shares how “chastening” “yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness” where we read:

Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

The verse begins, “Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous:”. The writer began with the word, “Now” which means “moreover and also” “no chastening” which refers to “no training, education and chastisement” “for the present” which means “near at hand or at the current time” “seems to be joyous” or “supposes or accounts as gladness or a cause for joy”, “but grievous” or “is rather heavy, grudging and filled with grief”. The writer concurred that there is “no training, education or chastisement” that brings “joy” to the recipient while it is happening, but rather “Chastening” brings “heavy grief” to those who receive it during its length of stay.

The verse continues, “...nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”. The writer added the word, “nevertheless” or “moreover and also” “afterward” which means “later and coming after” “it yields” or “chastening delivers, pays off, discharges and produces” “the peaceable” which means “that which relates to peace and by implication is salutary” “fruit” or “that which originates or comes from something” “of righteousness” which means “the way in which man may attain a state approved of God, integrity, virtue, purity of life and correctness of thinking, feeling and acting” “unto them” which refers to “the ones who receive the chastening” “which are exercised” which means “vigorously moving in any way whether in the body or mind” “thereby” or “thru, during and by means of the same”. God's “children” who are “moved vigorously” by His “training, instruction and education” “produce” “peaceful righteousness” in their lives.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we agree that “chastening” is not very “joyous” for the person who is receiving it. Let's face it, correction and instruction is often very difficult, and if it is accompanied by affliction, it is all the more troublesome. Regardless, the end result will be the “peaceful offspring of the way that is approved of God”. Jesus came to “show us the Father”, and when we observe Jesus' life, we may know what God is like. When He brings “correction” to us, it may not seem very “fun” or “joyous” at the time, but we must remember that God is working His “instruction and training” to “produce” His “peaceful” and “righteous” ways within us.

Next time the writer shares how he and his readers “lift up the hands which hang down”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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