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Hebrews 12:8

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does Hebrews 12:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Hebrews 12:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Hebrews 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him;
6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom [his] father chasteneth not?
8But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10For they indeed for a few days chastened [us] as seemed good to them; but he for [our] profit, that [we] may be partakers of his holiness.
11All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, [even the fruit] of righteousness.
← Hebrews 12:7Hebrews 12:9 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But if ye be without chastisement, etc..] Or have no affliction: whereof all are partakers; that is, all the children of God; they are all alike children; they are all in a state of imperfection, and prone to sin; God has an impartial respect unto them: and though they are not all alike chastened, nor chastened at all times, yet none are exempted from chastisement, but have it in some way or another, and at some time or another. Then are ye bastards, and not sons; all are not sons that are under a profession of religion; all that are under a profession of religion are not chastised; but then those are not the children of God, but the children of the world, of Satan, and of the antichristian…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“if ye be without--excluded from participation in chastisement, and wishing to be so. all--all sons: all the worthies enumerated in the eleventh chapter: all the witnesses (Heb 12:1). are--Greek, "have been made." then are ye bastards--of whom their fathers take no care whether they are educated or not; whereas every right-minded father is concerned for the moral well-being of his legitimate son. "Since then not to be chastised is a mark of bastardy, we ought [not to refuse, but] rejoice in chastisement, as a mark of our genuine sonship" [CHRYSOSTOM].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But if ye be without chastisement - If you never meet with anything that is adapted to correct your faults; to subdue your temper; to chide your wanderings, it would prove that you were in the condition of illegitimate children - cast off and disregarded by their father. Whereof all are partakers - All who are the true children of God. Then are ye bastards, and not sons - The reference here is to the neglect with which such children are treated, and to the general want of care and discipline over them: “Lost in the world’s wide range; enjoin’d no aim, Prescrib’d no duty, and assign’d no name.” Savage. In the English law, a bastard is termed “nullius filius.” Illegitimate children are usually…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Of which all sons are partakers - More or less. Hebrews 12:9”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Heb 12:6; Psa 73:1, Psa 73:14, Psa 73:15; Pe1 5:9, Pe1 5:10 Hebrews 12:9”
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Related study paths

Read Hebrews 12 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification