Topical Bible: Children: Punishment of

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The concept of disciplining children is a recurring theme in the Bible, reflecting the importance of guidance and correction in a child's upbringing. The Scriptures provide various insights into the nature and purpose of punishment, emphasizing both the responsibility of parents and the well-being of the child.

Biblical Basis for Discipline

The Bible underscores the necessity of discipline as an expression of love and concern for a child's future. Proverbs 13:24 states, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently." This verse highlights the belief that appropriate correction is an essential component of parental love, aiming to steer children away from harmful paths.

Similarly, Proverbs 22:15 notes, "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him." This suggests that children, by nature, may lack wisdom and understanding, necessitating guidance through corrective measures.

Purpose and Nature of Punishment

The primary purpose of punishment in the biblical context is to foster wisdom and righteousness. Hebrews 12:11 explains, "No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it." This passage indicates that while discipline may be uncomfortable, it ultimately leads to positive character development and spiritual growth.

Ephesians 6:4 advises, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse emphasizes the balance required in discipline, warning against harshness that could lead to resentment, and instead advocating for nurturing guidance aligned with God's teachings.

Parental Responsibility

Parents are entrusted with the responsibility of disciplining their children in a manner that reflects God's love and justice. Proverbs 29:17 encourages, "Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul." This suggests that well-disciplined children contribute to familial harmony and parental joy.

The Bible also warns against neglecting discipline, as seen in Proverbs 19:18 : "Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death." This stark warning underscores the potential consequences of failing to correct a child's wayward behavior.

Discipline as a Reflection of Divine Love

The discipline of children is often paralleled with God's discipline of His people. Hebrews 12:6 states, "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives." This analogy serves to remind parents that their role in disciplining their children mirrors God's loving correction of His followers.

In summary, the Bible presents the punishment of children as a necessary and loving act aimed at guiding them towards righteousness and wisdom. It calls for a balanced approach that combines firmness with compassion, ensuring that discipline serves its intended purpose of nurturing a child's spiritual and moral development.

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Exodus 21:15,17
And he that smites his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
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Leviticus 20:9
For every one that curses his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be on him.
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Deuteronomy 21:18-21
If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not listen to them:
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Deuteronomy 27:16
Cursed be he that sets light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
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Matthew 15:4
For God commanded, saying, Honor your father and mother: and, He that curses father or mother, let him die the death.
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Mark 7:10
For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother; and, Whoever curses father or mother, let him die the death:
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Greek

3811. paideuo -- to train children, to chasten, correct
... Word Origin from pais Definition to train children, to chasten, correct NASB ... child,
ie Educate, or (by implication), discipline (by punishment) -- chasten(-ise ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3811.htm - 8k

Library

"My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin ...
... 1 John 2:1.""My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. ...
v.6. In sin there is the guilt binding over to punishment, and there is the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxii my little children.htm

Antipater is Accused Before Varus, and is Convicted of Laying a ...
... He did no longer delay therefore to bring him to punishment for all his crimes ... he
gave him, a thousand talents; as also to his wife, and children, and friends ...
/.../chapter 32 antipater is accused.htm

My Children have Been Slain
... the judgment of Sodom, were my beloved judged,"and my children smitten, with ... O my
Lord,"in lingering thirst, is a lingering death, and a subtle punishment. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn x my children have.htm

Of the Judgment and Punishment of the Wicked
... No sin will there be which shall not be visited with its own proper punishment. ... of
riches shall have more weight than all the treasure of the children of this ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxiv of the judgment.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Mark xiii. 32, "But of that Day or ...
... to them who live after God, "Ye are gods, and ye are all the children of the ... last
day is kept in store for him at the end as his punishment; nevertheless he is ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xlvii on the words.htm

The Faith of Little Children.
... the family, unable to endure the agony of beholding his wife and children starving
to ... tale, and instead of chiding her or visiting threats of punishment, as is ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the faith of little children.htm

None of These Answers Will You Give Us. You Turn to Other Things ...
... was not the question about the resurrection of the flesh and the punishment of the ...
as if he were playing upon the weakness of fools and children, "without the ...
/.../5 none of these answers.htm

The Surrender of Gischala; While John Flies Away from it to ...
... opened their gates to him, and came out to him, with their children and wives ... to
come in, and bring the rest of those that were for innovations to punishment. ...
/.../chapter 2 the surrender of.htm

When Herod Made Inquiry About Pheroras's Death a Discovery was ...
... 1. But now the punishment was transferred unto the original author, Antipater, and ...
and upon their wives, because, after he Mariamne and her children he would ...
/.../chapter 30 when herod made.htm

1 Thessalonians iv. 15-17
... Has no father then been neglectful with respect to his children? and are
there no wicked sons? But no one has suffered punishment. ...
/.../homily viii 1 thessalonians iv.htm