January 4th, 2024
I took a walk in the woods today before reading Hebrews 12. Enjoy the photo of a random forest I found! These are my notes for our Bible study’s group-study through the New Testament! Here are some parts of this passage that encouraged me in light of the Greek text’s word meanings and the new covenant of Jesus’s grace.
Ever read this verse before? I’m about to teach you some Greek, since the original God-breathed writing of the New Testament is written in Greek. Today’s word- παιδεύω
”For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”“
Hebrews 12:6 NKJV
I used to think that God’s kind of discipline was like inflicting harm or disease on our bodies, and therefore I used to hate this passage! Until I learned that the word “chastise” in this verse is the Greek word παιδεύω, or “paideúō” which means “to raise”, to "bring up a child” or to "train up a child" . That’s a lot different than the harsh idea you get from the former interpretation of this verse. You wouldn’t dream of chastising your son or daughter by inflicting a disease upon them and God being holy and perfect doesn’t either. I’m so thankful he trains me as a loving father trains a child. What’s more encouraging is the verses to follow.
”Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?“
Hebrews 12:9 NKJV
“And LIVE”! Amen!
This verse is telling me that whatever is orchestrated by God results in me living more, with more LIFE is imparted to me by the Spirit of God. It sounds very familiar too, reminding me of what Jesus said in John 10:10~
”The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.“
These wonderful verses show me that whatever relates to life is from God, and whatever relates to loss death or destruction is from the thief, the devil. God is a good God.
Another favorite part of this passage is this verse, following the verses that talk about how we have not come to Mount Sinai (which references the law) but to Mount Zion (which represents the grace of God.)
”You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.“
Hebrews 12:24 NLT
Jesus is so good. His blood pronounces us forgiven and justified! His blood pays for us to have life and life more abundantly.