Encyclopedia entry
Punishment
The New Testament lays down the general principles of good government, but contains no code of laws for the punishment of offenders. Punishment proceeds on the principle that there is an eternal distinction between right and wrong, and that this distinction must be maintained for its own sake. It is not primarily intended for the reformation of criminals, nor for the purpose of deterring others from sin. These results may be gained, but crime in itself demands punishment. (See MURDER; THEFT.)
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Endless, of the impenitent and unbelieving. The rejection of this doctrine “cuts the ground from under the gospel...blots out the attribute of retributive justice; transmutes sin into misfortune instead of guilt; turns all suffering into chastisement; converts the piacular work of Christ into moral influence...The attempt to retain the evangelical theology in connection with it is futile” (Shedd).
In the Bible
63
Verses where Punishment is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.
- 1 Peter 2:14
or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.
- 1 Samuel 28:10
Then Saul swore to her by the LORD: “As surely as the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.”
- 2 Corinthians 2:6
The punishment imposed on him by the majority is sufficient for him.
- 2 Peter 2:9
if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
- 2 Peter 2:10
Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.
+57 more verses naming Punishment.
Scripture on Punishment
51
See all 51 +−
- Lamentations 4Ezekiel 212 Peter 2Genesis 4Genesis 19Leviticus 5Leviticus 19Leviticus 221 Samuel 28Job 19Job 31Job 34Job 37Psalms 91Psalms 149Proverbs 10Proverbs 19Isaiah 30Isaiah 53Isaiah 66Jeremiah 4Jeremiah 10Jeremiah 11Jeremiah 23Jeremiah 46Jeremiah 48Jeremiah 50Lamentations 3Lamentations 5Ezekiel 14Ezekiel 16Ezekiel 23Ezekiel 35Hosea 9Zephaniah 3Zechariah 14Matthew 25Luke 12Romans 132 Corinthians 2Hebrews 2Hebrews 101 Peter 21 John 4Jude 1Revelation 17
Entries that reference Punishment
3
Punishment references
1
Voices on Punishment
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.