Punishment is a difficult topic. The Bible speaks of God's judgment, but also of discipline out of love – and of a punishment that another bears. Here you will find 19 Bible verses about punishment and discipline.
Discipline out of love
As a father disciplines.
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And have you already forgotten the comfort that speaks to you as to children: “My son, do not despise the rebuke of the LORD, and do not be discouraged when he corrects you. For whom the LORD loves, he corrects, and chastens every son whom he receives.”
Hebrews 12:5-6
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For those disciplined us not according to their own will, but for our benefit, that we might obtain his sanctification. But every discipline, when it is, seems not to be joy but sorrow; but afterward it will yield a peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are thereby disciplined.
Hebrews 12:10-11
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My child, do not despise the discipline of the LORD, and do not be impatient with his punishment. For whom the LORD loves, he corrects, and yet he takes pleasure in him as a father does in his son.
Proverbs 3:11-12
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Those whom I love, I correct and discipline. Be diligent now and repent!
Revelation 3:19Repentance
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Behold, blessed is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not resist the discipline of the Almighty.
Job 5:17
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Blessed is he whom you, LORD, discipline, and teach him through your law.
Psalm 94:12
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The LORD corrects me indeed; but he does not deliver me over to death.
Psalm 118:18
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For the LORD does not reject forever; but he corrects indeed, and has mercy again according to his goodness. For he does not afflict the people from heart, nor sadden them.
Lamentations 3:31-33
Judgment and grace
God's justice and his mercy.
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But he was wounded for our transgressions, and broken for our sins. The punishment was on him, that we might have peace, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5HealingGood Friday
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For death is the wages of sin; but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our LORD.
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So now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
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He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor does he repay us according to our transgressions.
Psalm 103:10
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The goodness of the LORD is that we are not utterly consumed; his mercy has no end.
Lamentations 3:22Goodness
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For God did not send his Son into the world, that he should judge the world, but that the world through him should be saved. He who believes in him shall not be judged; but he who does not believe is already judged, because he does not believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:17-18
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Fear is not in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has torment. But he who fears is not perfect in love.
1 John 4:18FearConfirmation verses
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Do not be deceived! God does not let himself be mocked. For what a man sows, that he will reap.
Galatians 6:7Harvest
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For we know him who said: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” and again: “The LORD will judge his people.” Terrible it is to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:30-31
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Do not avenge yourselves, my beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the LORD.
Romans 12:19ForgivenessWrath
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I hid my face from you for a little while in wrath, but with eternal mercy I will have compassion on you, says the LORD, your Redeemer.
Isaiah 54:8Friendliness
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
Related topics
This goes well with it
“The punishment was on him, that we might have peace” (Isaiah 53:5) – and on the cross Jesus says: It is finished.
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Does God punish?
The Bible honestly speaks of that God is not indifferent to injustice. He is just, and justice means that evil has consequences: “What a man sows, that he will reap” (Galatians 6:7). At the same time, the Bible shows a God who “does not deal with us according to our sins” (Psalm 103:10) and whose wrath lasts for “a moment” (Isaiah 54:8). The Lamentations say: “For he does not afflict the people from heart, nor sadden them” (Lamentations 3:33). God's judgment is never arbitrary and never his final word.
Discipline and the punishment on the cross
The Epistle to the Hebrews describes God's discipline with the image of a father: “For whom the LORD loves, he corrects” (Hebrews 12:6). Discipline here does not mean punishment as retribution, but education for good – it hurts, but “afterward it will yield a peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11). And the New Testament says: The actual punishment for the guilt of the world Jesus bore. “The punishment was on him, that we might have peace” (Isaiah 53:5). More about this at Bible verses about grace, Bible verses about justice and Bible verses about hell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does it say “For whom the LORD loves, he corrects”?
In Hebrews 12:6, as a quote from Proverbs 3:12.
Does God punish Christians?
According to Romans 8:1, there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ. The Bible speaks, however, of God's loving discipline, which leads to growth (Hebrews 12:5-11).
