Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8200 The character of the believer  »  8230 discipline  »  8231 discipline, divine

God disciplines his people through his word, through their experiences and through punishment, so that they may live in ways pleasing to him.

The nature of God's discipline

It is a sign of God's love

Hebrews 12:6 See also Proverbs 3:12; Psalm 119:75; Revelation 3:19

It is a sign of belonging to God's family

Hebrews 12:6 See also Proverbs 3:12; Deuteronomy 8:5; 2 Samuel 7:14; Hebrews 12:7

It trains God's people

Hebrews 12:11

The means of God's discipline

The use of Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16 See also Deuteronomy 4:36; Deuteronomy 29:29; Isaiah 8:11

The knowledge of God's grace

Titus 2:11-12

Instructive experiences

See also Deuteronomy 8:1-5; Deuteronomy 11:2-7; Psalm 90:12; Isaiah 48:17

Painful experiences

Hebrews 12:7 See also 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Hebrews 12:5,11; 1 Peter 1:6-7

Punishment

Hebrews 12:6 See also Proverbs 3:12; Leviticus 26:18,21,23-24,27-28; 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 73:14; Jeremiah 32:19; Hosea 5:2; Hosea 7:15-16; 1 Corinthians 11:32

God disciplines all and only his children

Hebrews 12:8 See also Hebrews 12:6

The goals of God's discipline

Respectful submission to God

Hebrews 12:9

The good of God's people

Hebrews 12:10 See also Job 5:17-18; Psalm 94:12; Psalm 119:67,71,75

Spiritual growth

Hebrews 12:11 See also Proverbs 1:2-3

Preparation for heaven

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 See also Romans 8:18; James 1:12

Believers should not despise God's discipline

Job 5:17 See also Hebrews 12:5; Proverbs 3:11

Divine discipline in the church

By reproof

2 Corinthians 7:8; Corinthians 13:2; 2 Thessalonians 3:15

For the benefit of sinners

Matthew 18:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-7; 2 Thessalonians 3:14

As a warning to others

1 Timothy 5:20

To be exercised with kindness

2 Corinthians 2:6; Galatians 6:1

The role of witnesses

Matthew 18:16; 1 Timothy 5:19

See also

1085  God, love of
5484  punishment by God
5560  suffering
5773  abstinence, discipline
6744  sanctification
7115  children of God
8266  holiness
8347  spiritual growth
8414  encouragement
8713  discouragement