The Wise Use of the Rod
Proverbs 13:24
He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him chastens him betimes.


The rod is to be taken for correction or punishment in general, not specifically for corporal punishment.

1. The rod should be the last resource. The cases in which it is necessary to appeal to the rod are very rare.

2. When the rod is used, be quite sure that a fault has been committed. Children are sometimes severely chastened when they have committed no fault, and this produces a sense of injury and a loss of confidence, which cannot fail to exert evil influences.

3. Let there be a due proportion between the fault and the correction.

4. Never chastise in a passion.

5. Let chastisement be preceded by, or accompanied with, earnest efforts to convince the offender of his fault.

6. Accompany the correction with a system of encouragement.

(R. Wardlaw.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

WEB: One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.




The Use of the Rod
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