The concept of a child-trainer is derived from the word for a young child (παῖς) combined with the verb “I lead” (ἄγω). Thus, it is a person who leads a child through discipline and correction to bring them to maturity.
In Galatians 3:24–25, the law is described as a child-trainer. The law child-trained those under it, the Jews, to bring them into faith in Christ. The law was not given for the purpose of justification, for by it the sin nature is revealed and shown for how sinful it is (Romans 7:13). The law dictated the lives of the Jews until faith in Christ came. Now that this faith has come, those in Christ do not need the law as a child-trainer (Galatians 3:25).
Christians are child-trained in the way of righteousness, not law (2 Timothy 3:16-”all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and child-training in righteousness”). Throughout our lives, we may have many who train us, but only a few will be our fathers in Christ. The fathers are the ones who brought the message of salvation to us (1 Corinthians 4:15). As their father in the faith, Paul encourages the Corinthians saints and us who follow in the faith to imitate him in his walk with the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:16).
Fathers are to child-train and admonish their children in the Lord, not provoking them to wrath (Ephesians 6:4). Discipline for our children is to be done for the purpose of correction so that our child grows up in a manner that establishes their character. It is seeking the best for the child. Children are to be submissive with all respect for their elders (1 Timothy 3:4). In child-training, the father must be cautious not to use it to make the child explode with anger. This will involve disciplining or making things difficult for the child so the father can take pleasure in the child’s suffering.
The Lord child-trains every son He receives. Who is a son that is not child-trained? We are not to think little of the child-training of God, nor be discouraged at His rebuke (Hebrews 12:5). Those whom the Lord loves, He child-trains (Hebrews 12:6). Since we endure child-training, we are sons (Hebrews 12:7). This type of child training may involve sickness, being crippled, or even death if we refuse to comply (1 Corinthians 11:30). The child training from the Lord will not kill us if we yield (2 Corinthians 6:9). However, since we belong to God, He will not permit His children to be condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:32).
One of the duties of a pastor is with an objective mind to child-train those who oppose the truth. In doing so, perhaps God will grant them a change of mind that they may know the truth (2 Timothy 2:25). These are the ones who are caught in a snare by the devil to do his will while thinking they are doing God’s will (2 Timothy 2:26).
The grace of God child-trains us to deny ungodly and worldly strong desires so that we live with a saved frame of mind, righteousness, and godliness in this present age (Titus 2:12). Christ gave Himself to redeem us from our lawless deeds and purify to Himself His own special people who are zealous for proper works (Titus 2:14).
Child-training may involve correction, discipline, or scourging. When we are corrected, it is for our benefit, as it directs us away from doing wrong. Discipline is not about punishment, but about instruction that develops control, skill, and orderly conduct. It is knowledge, learning, or instructions for the purpose of maturity. Scourging happens when we refuse to adjust our unrighteous and wrong behavior to restore us. Those who do not face the consequences of their unrighteous and sinful actions are not sons, for they are not child-trained by the Lord (Hebrews 12:8). Although no child-training is joyful while it is going on, the end yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness in our lives (Hebrews 12:11).
