What are the limits of chastisement in the New Testament?

Rulers are required to chastise the wicked and criminals as the apostle says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves . For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s

minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practises evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake” (Rom. 13:1–5).

It is clear that the New Testament gives the ruler or authorities the right to chastise the wicked, even to the extent of using the sword. It was left up to legislators to set the limits of these penalties or chastisements according to the circumstances of the time, the country, the evil-doer, and each particular case. So much for the community chastising the wicked.

On the topic of the chastisement of children, the apostle says, “For what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” (Heb. 12:7). This chastisement is limited to that only which reflects God’s compassionate and steadfast love for His children: “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb. 12:6). The New Testament provides us not with detailed rules, but with basic principles for dealing with children just as God deals with us.

The scholar Origen describes a prevailing custom that shows how the chastisement of children was exercised a long time ago: “the custom is practised in the churches of Christ to remove those who are committing obvious trespasses from the common prayer.”⁹⁹⁴

Chastisement must be harsher and stricter in proportion to the believer’s responsibilities and role in the Church, with no exceptions. Origen says, “For all who are sinners in the church deserve penalties … to be sure; but each one will be tormented according to the rank they occupy.”⁹⁹⁵ Origen also says that we must not rush into public chastisements.⁹⁹⁶