Discipline or Punishment?

Over the last few weeks I have been reading about discipline, punishment, and our thinking about these things. Discipline has many definitions to many people, and is often used when they really mean punishment for doing something wrong, which in this context would be sin. I think this is illustrated well in the following verses:


(NIV)Hebrews 12:6
"...because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”


In this verse the author of Hebrews is quoting from Proverbs. The word chasten, could be renedered punishment, flogging, or other form of punishment. This is not the sense that the word is used in for the following verses and so should not be understood as the definition for the author's further discussion on the topic. The next several verses talk about discipline, but always using the same Greek word.


(NIV)Hebrews 12:7-11
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? [8] If you are not disciplined---and everyone undergoes discipline---then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. [9] Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! [10] They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. [11] No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.


The Greek word translated discipline is as follows:


Paideia  - pahee-di'-ah 
Parts of Speech TDNT Noun Feminine


Definition
1. the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body
2. whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions. a. instruction which aims at increasing virtue 
b. chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment)


Whereas the common English translation of discipline is as follows:


noun
1 : punishment
2 obsolete : instruction
3 : a field of study
4 : training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character
5 a : control gained by enforcing obedience or order 
   b : orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior 
   c : self-control


So the original Greek talks primarily about training and education, correcting mistakes, and instruction - teacher to pupil if you may. When I read these verses from a strictly English definition, the first thing I think is punishment.  


I don't think this - seeing discipline as punishment - is the right perspective at all.  I can't imagine as a father, ever disciplining my children with any other motivation than love, and desire for their best.  Looking closely at the verse above, God's motivation is clear - its about our relationship to Him as His children, its for our good, and ultimately bears good fruit in our lives.  It doesn't mean its not sometimes painful, some times difficult, but always with a motivation of producing in us our best.  


It is not punishment for doing something wrong or sin!


Lord, help us to rightly understand Your purpose and plan, and specifically Your heart towards us.  Help us to understand how You choose to discipline us, teaching us and helping us to grow into the people that You desire.