Chastisement or Criticism

Let’s not confuse “chastisement” for “criticism, when we are being disciplined for our sins.

Hebrews 12:8—“But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.” If we never meet with any chastisement to correct our faults; to subdue our temper; to chide our wanderings, it would prove that we were in the condition of illegitimate children - cast off and disregarded by our (God) Father. Where all are partakers—All who are the true children of God. Then are ye bastards, and not sons—Whom their fatherstake no care whether they are educated or not; whereas every right-minded father is concerned for the moral well-being of his legitimate son. "Since then not to be chastised is a mark of bastardy, we ought (not to refuse, but) rejoice in chastisement, as a mark of our genuine sonship."