Devine Scripture

Hebrews 12:10

What does Hebrews 12:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 12:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 12:10 means

Earthly fathers discipline for a short time and according to their best judgment, which can be flawed or limited. In contrast, God’s discipline is always “for our profit”—it serves our ultimate good—and aims at a specific outcome: that we share in His holiness. This lifts suffering beyond mere endurance to transformation. God’s training is not arbitrary; it is precise and purposeful, shaping our character to reflect His own. The verse reassures believers that every stroke of discipline is governed by divine wisdom and directed to a holy end. The goal is not simply to make us behave but to make us holy—set apart to God in heart and life.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For they truly gave us punishment for a short time, as it seemed good to them; but he does it for our profit, so that we may become holy as he is.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for they, indeed, for a few days, according to what seemed good to them, were chastening, but He for profit, to be partakers of His separation;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they indeed for a few days, according to their own pleasure, instructed us: but he, for our profit, that we might receive his sanctification.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For they indeed chastened for a few days, as seemed good to them; but he for profit, in order to the partaking of his holiness.

Context

Continuing the analogy from verse 9, verse 10 contrasts the temporary, sometimes imperfect nature of human discipline with God’s wise and beneficial discipline. It prepares for the honest acknowledgment in verse 11 that discipline is painful in the moment, while also anticipating the promised harvest of righteousness. Together, verses 9–11 form a compact theology of sanctifying suffering: submission (v. 9), purpose (v. 10), and outcome (v. 11).

v.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?

v.10This passage

v.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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 17:15

    As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with beholding thy form.

  • Leviticus 11:44

    For I am Jehovah your God: sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that moveth upon the earth.

  • Ephesians 5:26

    that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,

  • Colossians 1:22

    yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him:

  • Ezekiel 36:25

    And I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

  • 1 Peter 2:9

    But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

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