Thomas Aquinas, on Heb 12:8

“But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are made partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons.”

“677. – Then (v. 8) he argues from what he has already said: first, he concludes to something unwelcome; secondly, by giving an example (v. 9); thirdly, he mentions the resulting usefulness (v. 11). 678. – In regard to the first he gives this reason: All the saints who have pleased God passed through many tribulations, by which they were made sons of God. Therefore, one who does not persevere in discipline is not a son but a bastard, i.e., born of adultery. From this reason he draws this conclusion: If you are left without discipline [chastisement], in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 'All who would live godly lives in Christ will suffer persecution' (2 Tim. 3:12); 'All that have pleased God passed through many tribulations, remaining faithful' (Jdt. 8:23). Nor is it necessary that the saints always have outward tribulations, when they are afflicted inwardly by the wicked lives of perverse men: 'Lot dwelling among them that vexed the just soul from day to day with unjust works' (2 Pt 2:8). But a son, properly speaking, is born of a legitimate father; our mother is the Church, whose spouse is God Himself: 'I will espouse you to me in faith' (Hos 2:20). Therefore, those born of the spirit of the world or the devil are bastards: 'But draw near hither, you sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and of the harlot' (Is. 57:3). Therefore, it is clear that they are not truly sons, unless they are born of a legitimate father.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.