Hebrews 12:5-7

I think in this context Paul is saying that we normally do not expect grace to teach us something. Grace teaches us something. Are we aware of that? The word "teach" is very interesting, as well. It is paideuo, in the Greek.

This word is used in the sense of schooling, training, teaching, or disciplining. It is used primarily in the context of teaching a child—of activity (notice the word, this is not passive)—of activity directed toward the moral and spiritual training of a child; to influence conscious will and action. Again—to influence conscious will and action.

In this kind of a context, we are not talking about someone just passively waiting for things to happen. Teaching is done so that the child will consciously act. He is taught to choose to do the right thing. Now when it is used in a strictly religious sense—to chastise (as we just saw in Hebrews 12)—is for the purpose of educating someone to conform to divine truth.

Let me expand on this just a little bit more. This word includes instruction, as in a classroom—the kind of situation we are in right now. You are being taught by a teacher and you are sitting here concentrating, taking notes, following along with the theme of the person's message. So it includes that. But it also includes practice, practice, practice—much as an army out drilling on the drill field.

Drill, drill, drill, drill, drill, drill, and drill—until we get it right! "Recruits, let us go through it again. We did not do it right that time." Drill, drill, drill! What does it produce? Discipline! What does it produce? Self-control! What does it produce? It produces someone who consciously moves in a certain direction.

It also includes chastisement in the sense of spanking—rebuking to bring about correction. This is for when someone, for whatever the reason, refuses to get it.

And finally, it also includes encouragement—a pat on the back, an encouraging word. But the intent is to always move the person in a certain moral direction.