punishing children
What does the Bible say about punishing children? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
15 passages · most helpful first
13Do not be willing to take away discipline from a child. For if you strike him with the rod, he will not die. 14You will strike him with the rod, and so shall you deliver his soul from Hell.
6The proverb is: A youth is close to his way; even when he is old, he will not withdraw from it.
24He who spares the rod hates his son. But he who loves him urgently instructs him.
15Foolishness has been bound to the heart of a child, and a rod of discipline shall cause it to flee.
15The rod and its correction distribute wisdom. But the child who is left to his own will, brings shame to his mother.
4And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but educate them with the discipline and correction of the Lord.
18Teach your son; do not despair. But do not set your soul toward putting him to death.
17Teach your son, and he will refresh you, and he will give delight to your soul.
6For whomever the Lord loves, he chastises. And every son whom he accepts, he scourges. 7Persevere in discipline. God presents you to himself as sons. But what son is there, whom his father does not correct?
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is just.
18If a man produces a disobedient and reckless son, who will not listen to the orders of his father or mother, and, having been corrected, shows contempt for obedience: 19they shall take him and lead him to the elders of the city and to the gate of judgment. 20And they shall say to them: ‘This our son is reckless and disobedient. He shows contempt when listening to our admonitions. He occupies himself with carousing, and self-indulgence, and feasting.’ 21Then the people of the city shall stone him to death. And he shall die, so that you may take away the evil from your midst. And so may all of Israel, upon hearing it, be very afraid.
21Fathers, do not provoke your children to indignation, lest they lose heart.
11Now every discipline, in the present time, does not seem a gladness, of course, but a grief. But afterwards, it will repay a most peaceful fruit of justice to those who become trained in it.
23For the wages of sin is death. But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12Honor your father and your mother, so that you may have a long life upon the land, which the Lord your God will give to you.