◄ Proverbs 29:15 ►
A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
Study Bible
A rod of correction
The phrase "rod of correction" refers to a disciplinary tool used in ancient times, often symbolizing authority and guidance. In Hebrew, the word for "rod" is "שֵׁבֶט" (shebet), which can mean a staff or scepter, indicating leadership and governance. The "rod" is not merely a tool for punishment but a means to guide and correct behavior, much like a shepherd uses a staff to guide sheep. In a conservative Christian perspective, this phrase underscores the importance of discipline in imparting wisdom and moral understanding. It reflects the belief that loving correction is necessary for the development of character and wisdom in children.

imparts wisdom
The Hebrew word for "imparts" is "נָתַן" (natan), meaning to give or bestow. Wisdom, or "חָכְמָה" (chokmah) in Hebrew, is a central theme in Proverbs, representing not just knowledge but the skillful application of knowledge in living a godly life. The phrase suggests that discipline is a means through which wisdom is given or cultivated. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this aligns with the belief that true wisdom comes from God and is often imparted through life experiences, including correction and discipline.

but a child left undisciplined
The phrase "a child left undisciplined" highlights the consequences of neglecting discipline. The Hebrew root for "left" is "שָׁלַח" (shalach), meaning to let go or release. This implies a lack of guidance or oversight. In the biblical context, children were expected to be taught and guided diligently by their parents. The absence of discipline is seen as a failure to fulfill this parental responsibility. From a conservative Christian perspective, this phrase warns against the dangers of permissiveness and the importance of active, intentional parenting.

disgraces his mother
The word "disgraces" comes from the Hebrew "בּוּשׁ" (bush), meaning to bring shame or dishonor. In ancient Israelite society, family honor was of utmost importance, and a child's behavior was a direct reflection of the family's values and upbringing. The mother, often the primary caregiver, would feel the weight of this disgrace most acutely. In a conservative Christian context, this phrase emphasizes the communal and familial impact of individual behavior, reinforcing the idea that personal conduct affects not just oneself but also one's family and community. It serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of family life and the shared responsibility in raising children who honor God and their parents.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He compiled these sayings to impart wisdom and understanding.

2. Parents
The verse implicitly involves parents, particularly the mother, as it speaks to the consequences of a child being left undisciplined.

3. Children
The focus of the verse is on children and the importance of discipline in their upbringing.

4. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context of the Proverbs is ancient Israel, where family and community discipline were integral to societal stability.

5. Wisdom Literature
Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes teachings on how to live a life pleasing to God.
Teaching Points
The Role of Discipline in Imparting Wisdom
Discipline is a tool used by parents to guide their children towards wisdom and understanding. It is not merely punitive but instructive, aiming to shape character and decision-making.

Consequences of Neglecting Discipline
A lack of discipline can lead to disgrace, not only for the child but also for the family. It underscores the responsibility of parents to actively engage in their child's moral and spiritual development.

Balancing Correction with Love
While discipline is necessary, it must be balanced with love and encouragement. The goal is to nurture a child’s growth in a way that reflects God’s love and righteousness.

Cultural and Historical Context of Discipline
Understanding the historical context of discipline in ancient Israel can help modern readers appreciate the timeless principles of guidance and correction.

Discipline as a Reflection of God’s Love
Just as God disciplines those He loves, parental discipline should reflect God’s love and desire for His children to grow in wisdom and righteousness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of discipline in Proverbs 29:15 compare to modern views on parenting and discipline?

2. In what ways can parents ensure that their discipline is both effective and loving, reflecting the balance seen in Ephesians 6:4?

3. How can understanding the cultural context of ancient Israel enhance our interpretation of Proverbs 29:15?

4. What are some practical ways parents can impart wisdom to their children beyond traditional forms of discipline?

5. How does the principle of discipline in Proverbs 29:15 relate to the broader biblical theme of God’s discipline towards His children, as seen in Hebrews 12:11?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 13:24
This verse also discusses the importance of discipline, emphasizing that sparing the rod is akin to hating one's child, while loving them involves diligent discipline.

Hebrews 12:11
This New Testament passage speaks to the value of discipline, noting that while it may be painful at the moment, it ultimately yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Ephesians 6:4
This verse advises fathers not to provoke their children to anger but to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, highlighting the balance between discipline and nurturing.
Sermons
A Child Left to HimselfColeridge's Table Talk.Proverbs 29:15
A Child Neglected, a Parent's DisgraceJames Cottle, B.A.Proverbs 29:15
A Neglected Education, the Parent's DishonourDaniel Wilson, M.A.Proverbs 29:15
Children Impressed by Gentle RuleH. Bushnell.Proverbs 29:15
Leaving Children to ThemselvesW. H. Nauben, M.A.Proverbs 29:15
Left to HimselfRobert Tuck, B.A.Proverbs 29:15
The Importance of Early DisciplineT. Kennion, M.A.Proverbs 29:15
Government in Truth and EquityE. Johnson Proverbs 29:12-17
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Bringeth, Brings, Cause, Causes, Causeth, Child, Correction, Disgraces, Gets, Gives, Guided, Imparts, Reproof, Rod, Shame, Shaming, Sharp, Wisdom, Youth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 29:15

     5302   education
     5481   proverb
     5666   children, needs
     5668   children, responsibilities to parents
     5685   fathers, responsibilities
     5719   mothers, responsibilities
     5881   immaturity
     8232   discipline, family
     8757   folly, effects of

Library
An Obscured vision
(Preached at the opening of the Winona Lake Bible Conference.) TEXT: "Where there is no vision, the people perish."--Proverbs 29:18. It is not altogether an easy matter to secure a text for such an occasion as this; not because the texts are so few in number but rather because they are so many, for one has only to turn over the pages of the Bible in the most casual way to find them facing him at every reading. Feeling the need of advice for such a time as this, I asked a number of my friends who …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Two Ancient Proverbs
A Sermon (No. 3080) Published on Thursday, February 20th, 1908. Delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Lord's Day evening, March 29th, 1874. "The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso puteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." --Proverbs 29:25. We have two ancient proverbs here; each of them is true as a separate proverb, and they are equally true when linked together. The independent proposition, that the fear of man bringeth a snare, is a truth which experience …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Baptismal Covenant Can be Kept Unbroken. Aim and Responsibility of Parents.
We have gone "to the Law and to the Testimony" to find out what the nature and benefits of Baptism are. We have gathered out of the Word all the principal passages bearing on this subject. We have grouped them together, and studied them side by side. We have noticed that their sense is uniform, clear, and strong. Unless we are willing to throw aside all sound principles of interpretation, we can extract from the words of inspiration only one meaning, and that is that the baptized child is, by virtue …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

But Sometimes a Peril to Eternal Salvation Itself is Put Forth against Us...
40. But sometimes a peril to eternal salvation itself is put forth against us; [2466] which peril, they cry out, we by telling a lie, if otherwise it cannot be, must ward off. As, for instance, if a person who is to be baptized be in the power of impious and infidel men, and cannot be got at that he may be washed with the laver of regeneration, but by deceiving his keepers with a lie. From this most invidious cry, by which we are compelled, not for a man's wealth or honors in this world which are …
St. Augustine—Against Lying

Little Sarah Howley.
MISS SARAH HOWLEY, when she was between eight and nine years old, was carried by her friends to hear a sermon, where the minister preached upon Matt. xi, 30, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light;" in the applying of which scripture the child was mightily awakened, and made deeply sensible of the condition of her soul, and her need of Christ: she wept bitterly to think what a case she was in; went home, retired into a chamber, and upon her knees she wept and cried to the Lord as well as she could, …
John Wesley—Stories of Boys and Girls Who Loved the Saviour

For, Concerning False Witness, which is Set Down in the Ten Commands of The...
36. For, concerning false witness, which is set down in the ten commands of the Law, it can indeed in no wise be contended that love of truth may at heart be preserved, and false witness brought forth to him unto whom the witness is borne. For, when it is said to God only, then it is only in the heart that the truth is to be embraced: but when it is said to man, then must we with the mouth also of the body bring forth truth, because man is not an inspector of the heart. But then, touching the witness …
St. Augustine—On Lying

Palm Sunday
Text: Philippians 2, 5-11. 5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10 that …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

It Remains Then that we Understand as Concerning those Women...
33. It remains then that we understand as concerning those women, whether in Egypt or in Jericho, that for their humanity and mercy they received a reward, in any wise temporal, which indeed itself, while they wist not of it, should by prophetical signification prefigure somewhat eternal. But whether it be ever right, even for the saving of a man's life, to tell a lie, as it is a question in resolving which even the most learned do weary themselves, it did vastly surpass the capacity of those poor …
St. Augustine—Against Lying

What are Evidences of Backsliding in Heart.
1. Manifest formality in religious exercises. A stereotyped, formal way of saying and doing things, that is clearly the result of habit, rather than the outgushing of the religious life. This formality will be emotionless and cold as an iceberg, and will evince a total want of earnestness in the performance of religious duty. In prayer and in religious exercises the backslider in heart will pray or praise, or confess, or give thanks with his lips, so that all can hear him, perhaps, but in such a …
Charles G. Finney—The Backslider in Heart

God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
Rom. xi. 36.--"Of him and through him, and to him, are all things, to whom be glory for ever." And 1 Cor. x. 31--"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." All that men have to know, may be comprised under these two heads,--What their end is, and What is the right way to attain to that end? And all that we have to do, is by any means to seek to compass that end. These are the two cardinal points of a man's knowledge and exercise. Quo et qua eundum est,--Whither to go, and what way to go. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 10.) Differently to be admonished are the impatient and the patient. For the impatient are to be told that, while they neglect to bridle their spirit, they are hurried through many steep places of iniquity which they seek not after, inasmuch as fury drives the mind whither desire draws it not, and, when perturbed, it does, not knowing, what it afterwards grieves for when it knows. The impatient are also to be told that, when carried headlong by the impulse of emotion, they act in some …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. ...
Humility is the root of charity, and meekness the fruit of both. There is no solid and pure ground of love to others, except the rubbish of self-love be first cast out of the soul; and when that superfluity of naughtiness is cast out, then charity hath a solid and deep foundation: "The end of the command is charity out of a pure heart," 1 Tim. i. 5. It is only such a purified heart, cleansed from that poison and contagion of pride and self-estimation, that can send out such a sweet and wholesome …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and the Spirit of Error Carrieth Many Away.
There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the question is, …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Characters and Names of Messiah
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. S uch was the triumphant exultation of the Old Testament Church! Their noblest hopes were founded upon the promise of MESSIAH; their most sublime songs were derived from the prospect of His Advent. By faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, they considered the gracious declarations …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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