Introduction: Is there a difference in the “Chastisement of God and His Wrath”? Let’s see.

1. What about God’s CHASTISEMENT? (Heb 12:5-11)

“And have ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10For 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. 11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

The word “chastisement” is παιδεία,(pahee-di’-ah), which means discipline; training and education of children, hence: instruction; chastisement, correction.

The word “rebuked” is ἐλέγχω, (el-eng’-kho), which means reprove, rebuke, discipline, I expose, show to be guilty.

Notice whom the Lord “loves” agape, He disciplines. This indicates these are they who have a relationship with God. 

The word “scourge” is μαστιγόω, (mas-tig-o’-o), which means to flog, scourge, the victim being strapped to a pole or frame; met: I chastise.

According to the writer, this means every child of God is disciplined in love.

The word “endureth” is ὑπομένω, (hoop-om-en’-o), which means to remain behind, I stand my ground, show endurance, I endure, bear up against, persevere.

Next, the writer identifies how earthly fathers discipline their children for their good, so likewise our Heavenly Father does the same.

The word “partakers” is μέτοχος, which means sharing in, a sharer, partner, associate. In other words, our Lord wants us to be partners in His plan for holiness, thus causing others to see Jesus in us.

The word “bastards” is νόθος, which means illegitimate, base-born. In other words, if we are without discipline or chastisement, then it means we are not children of God. A proof that you are His child is His correction.

2. What is the WRATH of God? (1Thess 1:9-10, 5:9)

“9For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The “wrath” in these passages is ὀργή, (or-gay’), which means anger, wrath, passion; punishment, vengeance.

Obviously, this wrath is going to be poured out on those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior. God does not have “vengeance” on His children; that is what Paul is saying. However, according to the other passage in Hebrews 12, it becomes clear, the Lord corrects His children in love.

Conclusion:  In closing, there is a big difference between the words “RETRIBUTIVE” and “REMEDIAL.” The former is punishment for evil. The latter is divine chastisement for well-being. Now that we have seen both the WRATH of God and the CHASTISEMENT of God, which would you say is applicable to you?

Hopefully, this explains our relationship with our Loving Heavenly Father as His children.