What Does Hebrews 12:10 Mean in the King James?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The word “chastened” carries child-rearing inside it, and its stated destination is sharing in God’s set-apart life.
THE MEANING
Human correction can follow what seems good to the one correcting you; God’s discipline is directed toward your good and toward sharing in what is set apart in him. The verse describes that shaping by where it leads you: participation in his holiness.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that correction is only about someone else’s pleasure or control; the verse names your good and participation in God’s holiness as its aim.
THE ROOT
ἐπαίδευον
epaideuon
GROWS FROM
παιδ- (paid-), from παῖς (pais)
Child; the stem behind child-rearing and training.
The word translated “chastened” belongs to the language of raising and training a child. That makes the action formative: the verse names not only the discipline, but the life it is meant to shape you toward.
ALSO GROWS
paidion: child
παιδίον
The shared stem places discipline within the language of a child’s formation.
paideia: upbringing, training, instruction
παιδεία
This branch shows the formative sense carried by the word for discipline.
συμφέρον
sympheron
GROWS FROM
φέρω (pherō), compounded with σύν (syn-)
φέρω means bear, carry, or bring; σύν adds the sense of together.
The word for “profit” is συμφέρον (sympheron), meaning beneficial or advantageous, formed from the idea of bringing together. The verse presents discipline by what it contributes to your good and carries you toward.
ALSO GROWS
prospherō: bring toward, offer
προσφέρω
The shared “bring” root makes the sense of contributing to an outcome concrete.
anapherō: carry up, bear
ἀναφέρω
This branch echoes the carrying sense within the word translated “profit.”
μεταλαβεῖν
metalabein
GROWS FROM
λαμβάνω (lambanō), with μετά (meta-)
λαμβάνω means take or receive; this compound means to receive a share, to partake.
“partakers” in this verse is metalabein. To be a partaker is more than to stand near holiness or observe it: the word pictures receiving a share in it. The sentence moves from discipline’s purpose to what you come to share in.
ALSO GROWS
lambanō: take, receive
λαμβάνω
The compound’s central action begins with receiving.
metalēmpsis: participation, receiving a share
μετάληψις
This related noun makes the sense of having a share explicit.
THE PATTERN
Correction and pruning have a purpose beyond themselves: they carry life toward fruit, understanding, and participation.
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.THE THREAD
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.The Greek verb συμφέρω (sumpherō), meaning “to be beneficial” or “to contribute to the good,” appears as “expedient” here and as “for our profit” in Hebrews 12:10. It reveals that what serves your good can take the form of departure or discipline, measured by what it brings forth.
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