LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
What does the Bible say about corporal punishment as practiced by governments?
Submitted to Dr. James Sulfridge
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 500
Discipleship Ministries
By
Anthony Bean
What does the Bible say about corporal punishment as practiced by governments?
There are three forms of corporal punishment (physically painful correction): that
administered by parents, corporal punishment applied by the school system, and judicial
corporal punishment overseen within the prison system or directed by court order. Such
judicial corporal punishment might include scourging, such as Paul and Silas received in Philippi
(Acts 16:23); beating with a rod, mentioned in Proverbs 29:15; and caning, such as is practiced
in Singapore. The Bible neither promotes nor prohibits a government using corporal
punishment, but it does have something to say about our attitude toward law and order in
general.
With respect to our judicial system and the punishments it sanctions, the Bible admonishes
believers to be subservient to the laws of government (Romans 13:1–7). “Everyone must
submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has
established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who
rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so
will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1–2; see also 1 Peter 2:13–14). This command
not only means we adhere to the laws our governing authority has set in place, but also that we
face the consequences for disobeying its laws.
Therefore, good citizenship requires adherence to judicial laws and subjection to the
punishment they provide for. “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those
who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right
and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be
afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to
bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not
only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience” (Romans 13:3-5).
This is not to say that corporal punishment administered by a government is always
appropriate. There are clear human rights abuses and times when corporal punishment
amounts to torture. In Paul and Silas’s case, the treatment they received in Philippi definitely
crossed a moral line. In such cases, believers should work to change the law and reform any
system that allows for abuse.
Corporal punishment may not be heard of in many parts of the world because it is banned
and practicing it is often punishable by law. It defined as physical punishment (physical
discipline) intended to cause physical pain on a person. It is usually inflicted in settings with a
substantial disparity of power between partakers. It is normally practiced in homes, schools,
churches and in various social groups.
Given the definitions above, corporal punishment covers a number of other physical
punishments that the Bible clearly does not suggest but specifically mentioned ‘the rod’ as a
means for use with children. The world has classed the ‘the rod’ under corporal punishment.
Verses that talk about ‘the rod’ include the following:
Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline
him (Proverbs 23:24)
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you
strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol. (Proverbs 23:13 – 14)
Folly is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from
him (Proverbs 22:15)
This is God’s command on raising up a child, which the world and many governments
oppose with no compromise. The will of God is that children be corrected by the rod.
There may not be specific sizes for specific ages or the number of whips according to age
but the Bible is talking to parents who are expected to still observe Biblical rules of loving their
children. Love will force the parent to limit the level of ‘the rod’ punishment to the age and
magnitude of offense made by the child.
The behavior of governments
Governments around the world have since banned corporal punishment particularly in
schools. This has long terms negative effects in the behavior and character of the pupils as they
grow and when they reach adulthood. Stories of children that report parents who were using
the rod on them are all over. This kind of behavior may cause many parents to fear using the
rod and opt for other none effective methods suggested by such governments.
The religious question to think about
Is man smarter than God such that mankind methods of raising a child are more effective?
Would it be true that God was misleading mankind by instructing for the rod to be used on
children? It is not right for mankind to do things that are against God’s will, using the rod on
children, being one of these.
I believe the question is actually beyond the use of the rod on children but on whether the
world believes that the Bible is the true Word of God. I believe that if people were to
completely believe that the Bible is the Word of God, then there wouldn’t be any questions on
what He says about anything. God’s will would be done on earth at all cost as it is done in
Heaven, just like Jesus prayed ().
To the believer
When the Bible says in Jesus’ words, ‘I quote’;
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil
against you because of me. Matthew 5:11
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be
saved. Matthew 10:22
These verses and many others gives notice to believers of such things as facing persecution
for the sake of believing and practicing what the Bible says. When a believer stands accused of
being an offender in a court of law, it should spell loud and clear to everyone that this world is
not at all a home to believers.
