Chastening

Dictionary of Biblical Words:

The meaning of this is more easily understood when we see that it is rendered “nurture” (Eph. 6:4⁴And ye fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)), and “instruction” (2 Tim. 3:16,¹⁶Every scripture is divinely inspired, and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; (2 Timothy 3:16) and elsewhere). It does not convey the idea of punishment so much as the Father’s dealings with His children (generally by means of sorrow and trial), in order to produce the fruits of righteousness, and make them partakers of His holiness. It is preventive, not vindictive, and is a special proof of our Father’s love, and of our relationship (Heb. 12).

Concise Bible Dictionary:

This is in scripture mostly linked with love and sonship, and implies “instruction” and “discipline.” He that loveth chasteneth (Prov. 13:24²⁴He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. (Proverbs 13:24); Deut. 8:5⁵And know in thy heart that, as a man chasteneth his son, so Jehovah thy God chasteneth thee; (Deuteronomy 8:5); Heb. 12:5-11⁵And ye have quite forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when reproved by him; ⁶for whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. ⁷Ye endure for chastening, God conducts himself towards you as towards sons; for who is the son that the father chastens not? ⁸But if ye are without chastening, of which all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. ⁹Moreover we have had the fathers of our flesh as chasteners, and we reverenced them; shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? ¹⁰For they indeed chastened for a few days, as seemed good to them; but he for profit, in order to the partaking of his holiness. ¹¹But no chastening at the time seems to be matter of joy, but of grief; but afterwards yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those exercised by it. (Hebrews 12:5‑11); Rev. 3:19¹⁹I rebuke and discipline as many as I love; be zealous therefore and repent. (Revelation 3:19)). “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest” (Psa. 94:12¹²Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Jah, and whom thou teachest out of thy law; (Psalm 94:12)). The chastening at the time does not seem to be joyous but grievous, yet afterward it yields the peaceable fruits of righteousness to those exercised thereby (Heb. 12:11¹¹But no chastening at the time seems to be matter of joy, but of grief; but afterwards yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those exercised by it. (Hebrews 12:11)). John 15:2²As to every branch in me not bearing fruit, he takes it away; and as to every one bearing fruit, he purges it that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:2) shows that a Christian may be chastened of the Father that he may bring forth more fruit.