For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth.
Ver. 12. For whom the Lord loveth.] The saints' afflictions proceed oft from love displeased, offended. And yet we have some now that tell us that God is never displeased with his people, though they fall into adultery, or the like sin, no, not with a fatherly displeasure; that God never chastiseth his people for any sin, no, not with a fatherly chastisement. But he (though a father) doth alter the set of his looks towards his child, who is wanton upon his love, and lets down the diligence of his just observance and duty.
In whom he delighteth.] Quem unice diligit, Whom he cockers above the rest of his children. That son in whom he is well pleased, saith Mercerus; quem approbat, whom he makes his whiteboy. So Theophylact, Qui excipitur a numero flagellatorum, excipitur a numero filiorum. He that escapes affliction, may well suspect his adoption. See my "Love tokens," p. 54,55.