Topical Encyclopedia
Chastisement, in the biblical context, refers to the discipline or correction administered by God to His people. It is an expression of His love and a means to guide believers towards righteousness and holiness. The concept of chastisement is deeply rooted in the understanding of God as a loving Father who desires the spiritual growth and maturity of His children.
Biblical FoundationThe Bible presents chastisement as an essential aspect of God's relationship with His people. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "chastise" is "yasar," which means to discipline, instruct, or correct. In the New Testament, the Greek word "paideia" carries a similar meaning, emphasizing the educational and corrective nature of God's discipline.
Purpose of ChastisementChastisement serves several purposes in the life of a believer:
1.
Correction and Instruction: Chastisement is intended to correct sinful behavior and instruct believers in the ways of righteousness.
Proverbs 3:11-12 states, "My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights."
2.
Spiritual Growth: Through chastisement, believers are refined and strengthened in their faith.
Hebrews 12:10-11 explains, "Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it."
3.
Demonstration of God's Love: Chastisement is a sign of God's love and care for His children.
Revelation 3:19 affirms, "Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent."
Examples of Chastisement in Scripture1.
Israel's Wilderness Experience: The Israelites' journey through the wilderness serves as a prominent example of divine chastisement. Due to their disobedience and lack of faith, God disciplined them by allowing them to wander for forty years. This period was meant to teach them reliance on God and obedience to His commands (
Deuteronomy 8:2-5).
2.
David's Sin and Repentance: King David experienced God's chastisement following his sin with Bathsheba. The consequences of his actions, including the death of his child, were a form of divine discipline that led David to repentance and a deeper understanding of God's mercy (
2 Samuel 12:13-14).
3.
The Corinthian Church: In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian church regarding their misconduct during the Lord's Supper. He explains that some members were weak and ill, and some had died as a result of God's chastisement, urging them to examine themselves and repent (
1 Corinthians 11:30-32).
Response to ChastisementBelievers are encouraged to respond to God's chastisement with humility and repentance. Acknowledging the purpose behind the discipline, they are to seek God's guidance and correction, allowing the experience to transform their hearts and lives.
Psalm 94:12 declares, "Blessed is the man You discipline, O LORD, and teach from Your law."
Chastisement, while often painful, is a vital component of the Christian journey. It is through this divine discipline that believers are molded into the image of Christ, growing in holiness and righteousness as they walk in obedience to God's will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The act of chastising; pain inflicted for punishment and correction; discipline; punishment.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CHASTENING; CHASTISEMENTchas'-'-n-ing, chas'-tiz-ment: These two words corresponding to Hebrew mucar, and Greek paideia, are distinguished in English use, in that "chastisement" is applied to the infliction of pain, either as a punishment or for recalling to duty, while "chastening," is a wider term, indicating the discipline or training to which one is subjected, without, as in the other term, referring to the means employed to this end. The narrower term occurs in the Revised Version (British and American) but once in the New Testament and then in its verbal form, Luke 23:16: "I will therefore chastise him." the King James Version uses it also in Hebrews 12:8.
The meaning of the word paideia grows with the progress of revelation. Its full significance is unfolded in the New Testament, when reconciliation through Christ has brought into prominence the true fatherhood of God (Hebrews 12:5, 10). In the Old Testament, where it occurs about 40 times, the radical meaning is that simply of training, as in Deuteronomy 8:5: "As a man chasteneth his son, so Yahweh thy God chasteneth thee." But, as in a dispensation where the distinguishing feature is that of the strictest justice, retributive punishment becomes not only an important, but a controlling factor. in the training, as in Leviticus 26:28: "I will chastise you seven times for your sins." In this sense, it is used of chastisements inflicted by man even unjustly: "My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions" (1 Kings 12:11). As, therefore, the thought of the suffering inflicted, or that of the end toward which it is directed, preponderates, the Psalmist can pray: "Neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure" (Psalm 6:1), and take comfort in the words: "Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest" (Psalm 94:12). Hence, it is common in both the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) to find the Hebrew mucar, and Greek paideia translated as "instruction." Illustrations are most numerous in Prov.
In the New Testament the Greek paideia is used with a variety similar to its corresponding Hebrew in the Old Testament. Examples of the fundamental idea, namely, that of "training," are found in such passages as Acts 7:22; Acts 22:3, where Moses and Paul are said to have been "instructed," and 2 Timothy 3:16, where Scripture is said to be "profitable. for instruction" (compare 1 Timothy 1:20 2 Timothy 2:25; Titus 2:12 Romans 2:20). A similar, but not identical, thought, is found in Ephesians 6:4: "Nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord." But when paideia is described as bringing pain, the mystery of suffering, which in the Old Testament is most fully treated in the Book of Job, at last finds its explanation. The child of God realizes that he cannot be beneath God's wrath, and hence, that the chastening which he endures is not destructive, but corrective (1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Corinthians 11:32 2 Corinthians 6:9 Revelation 3:19). In Hebrews 12:5-11, such consolation is afforded, not, as in the above passages, by incidental allusions, but by a full argument upon the basis of Proverbs 3:11, an Old Testament text that has depth and richness that can be understood and appropriated only by those who through Christ have learned to recognize the Omnipotent Ruler of heaven and earth, as their loving and considerate Father. On the basis of this passage, a distinction is often drawn between punishment and chastisement; the former, as an act of justice, revealing wrath, and the latter, as an act of mercy, love. Since to them that are in Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1) they can suffer no punishment, but only chastisement. Where there is guilt, there is punishment; but where guilt has been removed, there can be no punishment. There being no degrees of justification, no one can be forgiven in part, with a partial guilt still set to his account for which he must yet give a reckoning, either here or hereafter. If, then, all the righteousness of Christ belongs to him, and no sin whatever remains to be forgiven, either in whole or in part, all life's sorrows are remedial agencies against danger and to train for the kingdom of heaven.
H. E. Jacobs
Greek
3809. paideia -- the rearing of a child, training, discipline ... Spelling: (pahee-di'-ah) Short Definition: discipline Definition: discipline; training
and education of children, hence: instruction;
chastisement, correction.
... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3809.htm - 7k2851. kolasis -- correction
... correction. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: kolasis Phonetic Spelling:
(kol'-as-is) Short Definition: chastisement, punishment Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2851.htm - 7k
3807. paidagogos -- a trainer of boys, ie a tutor
... under development by strict instruction") -- properly, a , authorized to train
(bring) up a child by administering discipline, chastisement, and instruction ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3807.htm - 7k
3811. paideuo -- to train children, to chasten, correct
... This requires necessary (training), which includes administering chastisement
(punishment). 3811 ("to by ") is the root of the English terms, ", .". ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3811.htm - 8k
Strong's Hebrew
4148. musar -- discipline, chastening, correction... warning (1). bond, chastening eth,
chastisement, check, correction, discipline.
From yacar; properly,
chastisement; figuratively, reproof
... /hebrew/4148.htm - 6k 110. Adbeel -- "disciplined of God," the third son of Ishmael
... Adbeel. Probably from 'adab (in the sense of chastisement) and 'el; disciplined
of God; Adbeel, a son of Ishmael -- Adbeel. see HEBREW 'adab. see HEBREW 'el. ...
/hebrew/110.htm - 6k
561. emer -- speech, word
... Word Origin from amar Definition speech, word NASB Word Usage arguments (1),
chastisement (1), command (1), decreed (1), promise (1), sayings (4), slander* ( ...
/hebrew/561.htm - 6k
5607. sepheq -- handclapping, mockery
... stroke, sufficiency. Or sepheq (Job 20:22; job 36:18) {seh'-fek}; from caphaq;
chastisement; also satiety -- stroke, sufficiency. see HEBREW caphaq. ...
/hebrew/5607.htm - 6k
4147. moser -- a band, bond
... Also (in plural) feminine mowcerah {mo-say-raw'}; or mocrah {mo-ser-aw'}; from yacar;
properly, chastisement, ie (by implication) a halter; figuratively ...
/hebrew/4147.htm - 6k
8433. towkechah -- rebuke, correction
... And towkachath {to-kakh'-ath}; from yakach; chastisement; figuratively (by words)
correction, refutation, proof (even in defence) -- argument, X chastened ...
/hebrew/8433.htm - 5k
Library
Chastisement
... Chastisement. A Sermon (No.48). Delivered ... It is essential to observe the
distinction between punishment and chastisement. Punishment ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/chastisement.htm
a Condition in Chastisement.
... 16TH DAY. A Condition in Chastisement. "He is Faithful that Promised." "If need
be.""1 Peter 1:6. A Condition in Chastisement. Three gracious words! ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/16th day a condition in.htm
Love in Chastisement.
... 15TH DAY. Love in Chastisement. "He is Faithful that Promised." "As many as I love,
I rebuke and chasten.""Revelation 3:19. Love in Chastisement. ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/15th day love in chastisement.htm
Thanksgiving after Chastisement.
... XXI. THANKSGIVING AFTER CHASTISEMENT. (Preached on the Cessation of Cholera,
Feb.1832). TEXT: Hebrews 12:11, 12. MY devout friends ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xxi thanksgiving after chastisement.htm
Twenty-Ninth Day. Holiness and Chastisement.
... Twenty-ninth Day. Holiness and Chastisement. 'He chasteneth us ... in blessing.
Chastisement leads to the acceptance of God's will. We ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/twenty-ninth day holiness and chastisement.htm
Of the Measure of the Chastisement to be Undertaken, and the ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter IX. Of the measure of the chastisement to be undertaken,
and the remedy of fasting. The perfection then of ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter ix of the measure.htm
Psalm 103 Part 2 God's Gentle Chastisement; Or, his Tender Mercy ...
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 103 PART 2 God's gentle chastisement; or, His tender
mercy to his people. v.8-18 LM. God's gentle chastisement ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 103 part 2 gods.htm
Good Friday. Morning. He was Wounded for Our Transgressions, He ...
... He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the
chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/good friday morning he was.htm
That a Man Ought not to Reckon Himself Worthy of Consolation, but ...
... THE THIRD BOOK. ON INWARD CONSOLATION CHAPTER LII That a man ought not to reckon
himself worthy of consolation, but more worthy of chastisement. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter lii that a man.htm
The Fifty-Second Chapter: a Man Ought not to Consider Himself ...
... INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Fifty-Second Chapter: A Man Ought Not to Consider Himself
Worthy of Consolation, But Rather Deserving of Chastisement. The Disciple ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the fifty-second chapter a man.htm
Thesaurus
Chastisement (24 Occurrences)... CHASTENING;
CHASTISEMENT.
... Since to them that are in Christ Jesus, there is no
condemnation (Romans 8:1) they can suffer no punishment, but only
chastisement.
.../c/chastisement.htm - 18kChastening (11 Occurrences)
... CHASTENING; CHASTISEMENT. ... Since to them that are in Christ Jesus, there is no
condemnation (Romans 8:1) they can suffer no punishment, but only chastisement. ...
/c/chastening.htm - 15k
Discipline (63 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Correction; chastisement; punishment inflicted by way of correction and
training. ... See CHASTISEMENT; and for ecclesiastical discipline see CHURCH. ...
/d/discipline.htm - 25k
Correction (26 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The act of reproving or punishing, or that which is intended to rectify
or to cure faults; punishment; discipline; chastisement. ... See CHASTISEMENT. ...
/c/correction.htm - 15k
Retribution (14 Occurrences)
... Infliction of Divine Wrath 6. Instances of Use of Orge and Thumos 7. Instances of
Use of Greek Words for "Vengeance" 8. Words Meaning "Chastisement" Not Used ...
/r/retribution.htm - 29k
Rebuke (77 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A direct and pointed reproof; a reprimand; also, chastisement; punishment.
3. (n.) Check; rebuff. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. REBUKE. ...
/r/rebuke.htm - 32k
Love (703 Occurrences)
... Had He not graven them upon the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:15 f)? Rather than
His love being absent in the chastisement of His people, the chastisement...
/l/love.htm - 65k
Chastised (11 Occurrences)
/c/chastised.htm - 10k
Greatness (63 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 11:2 Know this day: for I don't speak with your children who have not
known, and who have not seen the chastisement of Yahweh your God, his ...
/g/greatness.htm - 35k
Wounded (114 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we ...
/w/wounded.htm - 37k
Resources
What is false guilt, and how can I avoid it? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Christ was wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a blessing according to the Bible? What does the Bible mean by bless? | GotQuestions.orgChastisement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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