Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 12:5

"and 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;" — Hebrews 12:5 (ASV)

In this cowardly avoidance of trouble and persecution, they have been shrinking from that chastening which every son receives from the Lord.

Which speaketh unto you.—Better, which holds converse (or, reasons) with you as with sons. The words that follow are taken from Proverbs 3:11-12 and agree with the text of the LXX., except that for “son” we have “my son,” and for “reproveth” (Hebrews 12:6) “chasteneth.” In the original passage, Solomon is the speaker, and it is the second verse only that speaks of God’s fatherly love. It may be so here also, but the exhortation of the Scripture seems to be quoted as if spoken directly by God Himself to His sons.

Despise.—Better, do not think lightly of. In the next clause, the Hebrew (“and do not loathe His correction”) rather denotes a spirit that rejects and chafes under divine discipline. As the words are found here, they point to losing heart and hope.