5483 punishment, nature of

Punishment is the inevitable and equitable consequence of breaking the law of God. In keeping with God’s justice and righteousness, punishment is administered by him or by human beings as his agents.

God warned Adam and Eve of the punishment for disobedience

Ge 2:16-17 See also Ge 3:1-5

Adam and Eve’s original disobedience brought inevitable punishment

Upon the serpent Ge 3:14-15 See also Col 2:15; Rev 12:9; Rev 20:1-3,10

Upon the woman Ge 3:16 See also Ps 48:6; Isa 13:8; Isa 21:3; Jer 4:31; 1Ti 2:14-15

Upon the man Ge 3:19 See also Job 5:7; Job 7:1; Ps 90:5,7,8; Ecc 1:3; Isa 40:2

Upon creation Ge 3:17 See also Ge 5:29; Jer 12:4; Ro 8:19-22

The punishment of death

Ro 6:23 See also Eze 18:4; Eze 33:8; Ro 5:12; Ro 6:21; 1Co 15:21-22

Banishment as punishment

Ge 3:23 See also Ge 4:10-16; Dt 29:27,28; 2Ki 25:21; Mt 8:12

Punishment must be appropriate to the crime

Ge 9:6 See also Ex 21:23-25; Lev 24:17-22; Jdg 9:24

Punishment reflects the obligations of the offenders towards their victims

Ex 22:3 See also Ex 21:2,26-27; Ex 22:4-9

Divine punishment is always totally just

Ge 18:25 See also Ge 20:4; Ex 34:7; Dt 32:35; 2Ch 6:23; Isa 3:11; Mt 16:27; 1Co 3:12-15; 1Th 4:6

God appoints human agents to administer his punishment

Ro 13:4 See also Isa 45:1,14; Jer 51:20; Mic 4:13; 1Pe 2:13-14

See also