By Bob Williston
The “rod of correction” is an expression we have all heard or used. It has a ring of wisdom to it, such that it is frequently our first recommendation when we are confronted with foolish and unruly behaviors. It may, however, be overworked and misunderstood, and if improperly used, it may even be an oxymoron!
The “rod of correction” is mentioned only once in the Bible1, in a Proverb, and its being a proverb may explain its widespread use. There are also mentions of the similar use of the rod in the Proverbs that have made it, for many, the standard by which children are molded into proper adults2 and by which wisdom is imparted3 to people of all ages. As proverbs go, though, it may be wise to treat these passages as figurative expressions; and it may also be wise to interpret them in terms of Jesus’ teachings before applying them to real life situations and to our spiritual fellowship. It is an unfortunate reality, especially among people who are aggressive in their pursuit and promotion of righteousness, that these Scriptures have been used as justification for both mental and physical abuse and violence.
How the “rod of correction” gets to be applied is of concern to all of us, but particularly to those who are witnesses to its abuse and feel helpless to protest it. This is not just confined to the treatment of children, but is the manner by which many people in authority accomplish their ends with others. It may appear to be effective, but a better understanding of what is the “rod” and what is “correction” may help us to better appreciate God’s mercy toward us, and how better we can care for those that are entrusted in some manner to our care.
WHAT IS CORRECTION?
For many in our culture, the word “correction” has become synonymous with “punishment” and “discipline”. This is unfortunate, because it diminishes the virtues of correction and dignifies the evils of punishment. Furthermore, the bastardized meaning of “discipline” shifts the focus of the gospel from reconciliation and liberty to law and punishment.
Correction is what replaces a mistake, a change from wrong to right, a rectification, or an improvement. It is not different from education, which changes are best effected in environments of positive motivation. Punishment is not one of these environments, but neither is the avoidance of punishment a positive motivation. Punishment, nevertheless, is often used as a technique to speed the “observable” results of correction. The predicament is this: if salvation consisted of works, then we could all be saved by force. But it is folly to expect that such reformed behavior works positively in hearts. In fact, such methods are the very substance of resentment and the roots of rebellion, which are incompatible with the dove-like spirit Christians strive for.
Punishment, on the other hand, refers to the imposition of pain, loss, or suffering for a wrongdoing. It is widely believed to be an effective deterrent to the commission of wrongdoing, and there is a Proverb to remind us of that.4 But there is nothing inherently corrective about punishment, and though one may survive punishment, it is notably not intended to work salvation.5 Instances of its failure to correct are found in the Scriptures,6 and despite what benefits it will afford in terms of controlling behavior, the Scriptures do not teach us that punishment is instrumental to salvation. In fact, the message of the gospel is one of escaping deserved punishment.7
Today the word “discipline” also is applied to deterrent punishment. But the dictionary defines discipline as (a) training in self-control, character, or orderliness and efficiency, and (b) a branch of knowledge or learning. Considering that the origin word for discipline meant “to learn”, we can easily see the relationship between these two meanings. We can also easily understand what Jesus’ “disciples” were doing – they were “learning” from Him. Discipline, like learning, is a matter within a person as opposed to “teaching”, which is directed by another. Spiritual discipline refers to one’s learning that conforms him to the plan and character of Jesus. How has the virtue of discipline come to be interpreted as deterrent punishment and the control by others of one’s behaviors!
THE VIRTUES OF CORRECTION AND DISCIPLINE
Correction, then, is good for us, and the Scriptures confirm it. It is interesting that in the King James Version of the Bible the word “correction” is used in a similar manner to its present English language usage. However, a balancing of the wordings used for “correction” in the same passages in other versions of the Bible, the New International Version in particular, reflects an intent in the Scriptures that parallels the dictionary definition.
There are, as we may expect, passages where the purpose of correction is clear.8 There are also passages where correction has otherwise been referred to as discipline.9 By contrast, the Scriptures also confirm that punishment may not bring correction,10 that God tempers punishment with mercy,11 and that just men should not be punished.12 Of course there are also passages where “correction” has otherwise been translated as “punishment”, but when we investigate these passages we discover that the punishment recommended in them is for wickedness and enemies13 and is in keeping with what we learn about God’s punishment.
Not only is correction good for us, but it is necessary. There are warnings in several passages that those who refuse to be corrected are at risk of God’s punishment.14 Still, we are never instructed that correction is grievous – unless, of course, we will not accept the gospel Jesus preached. It may even be that when correction is offensive except to our pride, perhaps it has been mingled with punishment.
THE EVILS OF PUNISHMENT
Punishment, though separate from the concept of correction, should still be considered so that we can better grasp its incorrective nature. As expected, it is commonly believed that God’s punishment is reserved for evil-doers, but the Scriptures tell us that God also reserves punishment for foreigners and enemies of His people,15 and for the world and the heathen.16 There is also punishment for the complacent,17 as well as for those who deceive believers.18
We read in the Scriptures that punishment is wrath and judgment.19 Punishment, as well as being lasting,20 may also be unbearable21 and, worst of all, final and permanent.22 Punishment is an evil prospect, and we do not read that it was intended to work correction.23
These punishments mentioned are all from God. Still, man has on occasion presumed to administer punishment in God’s name. In Old Testament times man administered punishment according to Old Testament law,24 and in some nations he still punishes in God’s name. But it must be remembered that it is the nature of law that it is only effective according to the power of those who enforce it to punish offenders. This is also clear in the law of the land.
Christians, of course, are not exempted from suffering under the law of the land.25 Though we are advised to abide by it, we are not instructed that it is either righteous law or contributive to salvation. Indeed, we may also suffer punishment at the hands of non-believers, as did the Christians of Paul before his conversion.26 But neither is this correction; it is more a testing of one’s faith. To count such punishments as contributing to one’s salvation may be to promote martyrdom.
WHAT IS THE ROD?
The rod, especially in the Old Testament, most often refers to the ceremonial symbol of authority. It has been variously translated as a “staff”27 or a “scepter”28 as well as a “rod”29. As is the case when punishment is prescribed, a weapon or tool of punishment must be found, and so the rod got to be used to punish the enemies and oppressors of the Kingdom,30 some of whom were to be flogged thereby.31 It was even sharpened into a sword against Babylon.32 This we find to be in keeping with the role of a legal authority. We also read that the rod “budded” into an instrument of punishment for “wickedness in the land”,33 and in the Proverbs the rod is prescribed against fools and those who lacked judgment.34
The rod was otherwise to be used to shepherd and feed the people,35 and there is a Proverb about its use to discipline.36 In the New Testament there is one mention of the use of the rod in punishment. Paul, writing to the Corinthians,37 asked if he should go to them with a rod. Other translations of this passage use the word “whip”, or “switch”. The church in Corinth was suffering from the arrogance of some in the church, and there was a question about what power they had in them. Still Paul did not pretend that the use of the rod (whip) was an act of love – in fact, he presented it as an option he could use instead of “… love, and … the spirit of meekness”.
IN SUMMARY
There are lessons to be learned about correction from our automobiles. They need continuous correction – to keep them on the road and out of the ditch. On a highway that stretches for a hundred miles without a turn, they still need correction. On a crooked and steep mountain trail they need correction, but far less is expected of them. Punishing the vehicle does nothing to modify the way their makers designed them, and we easily understand that to punish them would be to destroy our investment in them. Indeed, they are automobiles because they need correction. If they did not need correction they would be trains!
Still, people love punishment because its apparent results are so impressive, and its methods so expedient. Yet, despite any virtues that may be found in punishment, the method is still based in fear and is at odds with the goals of spiritual correction. John in his first epistle confirms this when he wrote that “... there is no fear in love. But perfect loves drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.“38
How then will the “rod of correction” be applied among us? Will it be as the shepherd’s staff, to lead and to feed, or will it be as the punisher’s weapon in an effort to force righteous behaviors on us. There seems, since the Old Testament law was fulfilled, no more authority for us to punish one another. Do we have enough faith to leave punishment to God, since He has claimed it as His own jurisdiction?39
Can we learn to correct and discipline “in love, and in the spirit of meekness?” Can we remember that correction that humiliates and discipline with pressure approaches coercion, as though we may improve on God’s timing and the virtue of a willing service? The Shepherd, we are frequently reminded, comforts the sheep with both the rod and the staff.40 Could it be that His rod is for our defense against our enemies?
1. Prov.22:15 2. Prov.13:24; 23:13,14 3. Prov.29:15 4. Prov.21:11 5. Lam.3:1 6. Jer.2:30; 5:3 7. Matt.3:7 8. Ps.39:11; Prov.29:19; Jer.7.28; 10:24 9. Job.5:17 Prov.3:12; 15:10; 23:13; 29:17; Jer.2:19; 30:11; 46:28; Heb.12:9 10. Jer.2:30; 5:3 11. Ezr.9:13; Hos.4:14 12. Prov.7:26 13. Ps.94:10; Prov.3:11; Job.37:13; Hab.1:12 14. Prov.3:11; Zeph.3:2,7; Zec.10:3 15. Ps.94:10; Is.10:12; Jer.25:12; 27.8; 30:20; 44:13,29; 46:25; 50:18; 51:44; Is.14:21; Zeph.1:8; Zec.14:19; Heb.10.29; 1Pet.2:14 16. Ps.149:7; Is.13:11; Is.26:12; Jer.9:25; 2Th.1:9 17. Zeph.1:12 18. Jer.29.32; Zeph.1:9 19. Lev.26:41,43; Job.31:11,28; Prov.19:19; 22:3 Prov.27:12; Eze.14:10; Amos.1:3,6,9,11,13; 2:1;4;6 20. Lam.4:22 21. Gen.4:13; 2Cor.2:6 22. Job.19:29; Is.27:1; Jer.11:22; 21:14; Mt.25:46; 2Pet.2:9 23. 1Sa.28:10; Job.31:3; Jer.36:31; Lam.3:39; 4:6; Hos.4:9; 12:2; Amos.3:2 24. Ex.21:20,21,22; Lev.26:18,24 25. Acts.4:21; 22:5 26. Acts.26:11 27. Ex.4:2,4,17,20; 7,10,12,15,17,19,20; 8:5,16,17; 9:23; 10:13; 14:16; 17:5,9; Num.17:2,3,5,6,8,9,10; 20:8,9,11; 1Sam.14:27,43; Jer.36:10; Heb.9:4 28. Ps.110:2; 125:3; Is.30:31; Jer.48:17; Eze.19:14; Rev.2:27; 12:5; 19:15 29. Ex.21:20; Lev.27:32; Eze.20:37; Job.9:34 30. Ps.2:9; 125:3; Is.9:4; 10:5,24,26; 11:4; 14:29; 30:31; Jer.48:17; Mic.5:1; Rev.2:27; 12:5; 19:15 31. 2Sa.7:14; Ps.89:32 32. Eze.21:10,13 33. Eze.7:10,11 34. Prov.10:13; 14:3; 22:8; 26:3 35. Mic.7:14 36. Prov.13:24 37. 1Cor.4:21 38. 1Jn.4:18 39. Heb.10:30 40. Ps.23:4
By Bob Williston
August 8, 2000