Pro 23:13-14 | KingComments | STEP | After the word is addressed to the son in , the word is addressed to the parents in . There have so far been two instructions about using the rod to correct ( ) and a reference to abusing it, which could result in the death of the son ( ). Now the two types of instruction are brought together. If a child son commits an act of disobedience, he must be disciplined ( ). This can be done verbally, but sometimes it is necessary for him not only to hear, but to feel that he has been disobedient. Then he must be struck with the rod. As noted earlier (see comments on Proverbs 22:15), it is not to be beaten without restraint. It is to confront him with his sin in a painful way. Sin always causes pain. He will not die from it, but rather he will be kept alive by it, that is, in the life God purposed and which gives the greatest satisfaction. The infliction of physical discipline must be done by the parent himself, “you” ( ). He should not leave that to another person. By disciplining him, the parent indicates that he is personally involved in his son’s well-being. He does not discipline because he is better. He himself has needed that discipline and has benefited from it. It is not cruel to strike a child man with the stick; on the contrary, it is cruel not to do it. A child who has never been disciplined becomes, in most cases, unruly in his dealings with others. One who has never felt the pain of the rod of correction is often cruel, without any compassion toward others. He ends up in death, in the grave and in eternal pain. He dies prematurely due to a fatal lack of education. The use of the rod for correction could have saved his life from this and he could have lived a valuable and blessed life.

‏ Proverbs 23:13-14

Discipline Is Necessary

After the word is addressed to the son in Pro 23:12, the word is addressed to the parents in Pro 23:13-14. There have so far been two instructions about using the rod to correct (Pro 13:24 ; Pro 22:15) and a reference to abusing it, which could result in the death of the son (Pro 19:18). Now the two types of instruction are brought together.

If a child son commits an act of disobedience, he must be disciplined (Pro 23:13). This can be done verbally, but sometimes it is necessary for him not only to hear, but to feel that he has been disobedient. Then he must be struck with the rod. As noted earlier (see comments on Proverbs 22:15), it is not to be beaten without restraint. It is to confront him with his sin in a painful way. Sin always causes pain. He will not die from it, but rather he will be kept alive by it, that is, in the life God purposed and which gives the greatest satisfaction.

The infliction of physical discipline must be done by the parent himself, “you” (Pro 23:14). He should not leave that to another person. By disciplining him, the parent indicates that he is personally involved in his son’s well-being. He does not discipline because he is better. He himself has needed that discipline and has benefited from it.

It is not cruel to strike a child man with the stick; on the contrary, it is cruel not to do it. A child who has never been disciplined becomes, in most cases, unruly in his dealings with others. One who has never felt the pain of the rod of correction is often cruel, without any compassion toward others. He ends up in death, in the grave and in eternal pain. He dies prematurely due to a fatal lack of education. The use of the rod for correction could have saved his life from this and he could have lived a valuable and blessed life.