Hebrews 12:5

And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The author addresses Hebrew Christian readers enduring a spiritual struggle, immediately after noting they have not yet resisted sin to the point of bloodshed.

The words — ἐκλέλησθε (eklelēsthe) means “you have forgotten,” and παρακλήσεως (paraklēseōs) means “exhortation,” marking a prior instruction the audience is neglecting.

The thread — The warning parallels Proverbs 3:11 and Job 5:17 on accepting divine correction, and connects to Revelation 3:19 on the relationship between God’s rebuke and earnest repentance.

Why it lands — The text commands readers to stop treating God’s discipline as trivial and to refuse despair when He corrects them.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

Cross-references

Proverbs 3:11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke;
Job 5:17 Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
Revelation 3:19 Those I love I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
Psalms 94:12 Blessed is the man You discipline, O LORD, and teach from Your law,
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
2 Corinthians 4:8 We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
Psalms 118:18 The LORD disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death.
Psalms 119:109 I constantly take my life in my hands, yet I do not forget Your law.
Psalms 119:75 I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.