Proverbs 13:24: Why the rod verses in Proverbs are repealed verses

Many parents use the Bible as an excuse for punishing children. Most parents in America go by the phrase "spare the rod, spoil the child" as a parenting motto. However, no such verse exists in the Bible. The 7 rod verses that exist in the Bible do not refer to parenting, but to judicial corporal punishment.

God's Word says in Proverbs 13:24 KJV:

He that spareth the rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

This passage, and all of the related passages, refer to a form of judicial corporal punishment known as the 40 minus 1 lashes. The 40 minus 1 lashes was a judicial punishment, after many warnings from eyewitnesses to stop the course of conduct. It was a once and a lifetime warning for a young adult to cease a criminal habit. If they didn't beyond that point, they were righteously kidnapped and put to death for their offenses. Children were never charged for a criminal offense, and could not be whipped at all lawfully.

As Christians, we aren't subject to the penalties found in the Old Testament. We are subject to the Law as Christians, but only the spirit of the Law, meaning all of the Ten Commandments minus the second one. Christ Himself was issued corporal punishment unjustly, and thus corporal punishment is unacceptable as a means of disciplining a child. All 7 of the rod verses in Proverbs are repealed verses due to these facts. 

Proverbs has no wisdom as to how to raise a child. However, disciplinary guidance can be found in Ephesians 6:4 KJV:

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers to damages or offenses, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and was understood in its original context, as a moral statute prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including, but not limited to, any punishments, reprimands, or other controlling demeanor towards children. In the Old Testament, punitive parents were put to death by way of bloodletting, after punishing their children one last time. Parents who punished their children were charged with kidnapping, with "kidnapping" being defined under the Law as the slightest of damages or offenses stemming from hostage-taking - child punishment was seen as a form of holding your child hostage merely for things that they did wrong, thereby treating your child as a quartered slave. Paul here was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christian parents in the parish at Ephesus who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishment of a child into the church. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment of a child in his secular writings. Paul may not have gotten along with the women of the church, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as a deacon.

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers to here, in this context, modeling and encouraging Christian discipline in children. The Christian standard of discipline is deserving of absolutely nothing, therefore grateful for absolutely everything. Christian parents in biblical times centered their entitlement in view of their children, with children following in their parents' footsteps. Children, in biblical times, were caught being good, as opposed to being caught bad. Whenever children were caught showing good traits - such as sharing, being patient, or showing self-control - they were lavishly praised and encouraged with statements such as "keep headed down the straight path". Boys were given manly praise when caught being good by fathers, whereas girls were given a kiss to the forehead when caught being good by fathers. Children also needed religious instruction. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to the instruction of the Lord. This religious instruction started out with fathers leaving out an Aramaic copy of the Hebrew Bible for children to discover and explore. When children were caught reading the Bible, they were praised and encouraged with statements such as "that book is good for you". From there, religious instruction came in the form of question and answer, based on what children saw in the text. Children were eager to learn the facts of life, and fathers were quick to point out the context. 

Religious development is a part of child development, as religion is a human need for children and adults alike. Young children, in most cases starting at age 6, have simplistic religious beliefs non-conforming to any religious denomination or sect. However, as children get older, they start conforming towards a specific religious denomination or sect. It may not be the religion you would choose, but at least they have values.

Mothers nurture from up close, and fathers nurture from afar, as was the case in the Early Church. Fathers nurtured in a teaching way. For the most part, the care of children was left to mothers, who gave children sustaining warmth. But, every once and a while, when children showed good traits, they stepped in and praised the child. This caused children to want to please their parents by trying their best to fight their sin nature, and struggle against sin. Children were never punished in biblical times, and if they were, it was seen as kidnapping, for trying to corner a child by their perception.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to wrath through punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which is ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!