In the biblical context, penalties are consequences or punishments prescribed for various transgressions against God's laws and commandments. These penalties are outlined in both the Old and New Testaments and serve as a means to uphold justice, maintain order, and encourage righteousness among God's people.

Old Testament Penalties

The Old Testament, particularly the Mosaic Law, provides detailed instructions on penalties for various offenses. These laws were given to the Israelites as part of the covenant between God and His chosen people. The penalties range from restitution and fines to corporal punishment and capital punishment, depending on the severity of the offense.

1. Restitution and Fines: For property crimes such as theft, the offender was required to make restitution. Exodus 22:1 states, "If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep."

2. Corporal Punishment: Certain offenses warranted physical punishment. Deuteronomy 25:2-3 prescribes flogging for certain crimes: "If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make him lie down and be flogged in his presence with the number of lashes appropriate for his crime. He may receive no more than forty lashes."

3. Capital Punishment: The most severe penalties were reserved for crimes such as murder, adultery, and idolatry. Leviticus 24:17 states, "And if a man takes the life of any human being, he must surely be put to death."

New Testament Penalties

The New Testament shifts the focus from legalistic penalties to spiritual consequences and the principles of grace and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. However, it still acknowledges the role of civil authorities in administering justice.

1. Spiritual Consequences: The New Testament emphasizes the spiritual penalties of sin, which is separation from God. Romans 6:23 declares, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

2. Church Discipline: The early church practiced discipline to maintain purity and order within the community. In 1 Corinthians 5:5 , Paul advises, "hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord."

3. Civil Authorities: The New Testament recognizes the authority of governments to impose penalties. Romans 13:4 states, "For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer."

Theological Implications

Penalties in the Bible reflect God's holiness and justice, underscoring the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. The Old Testament penalties highlight the gravity of disobedience, while the New Testament reveals the fulfillment of the law through Christ, who bore the ultimate penalty for sin on behalf of humanity. This sacrificial act offers believers forgiveness and reconciliation with God, emphasizing the transformative power of grace over the law.(n.) Plural of Penalty.2671. katara -- a curse
... 2671 (from 2596 , "according to, " and 685 , "a curse") -- properly, what "" (penalties
received) , ie the that results when (condemns) something. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2671.htm - 7k

That Injuries and Penalties of Persecutions are not to be Feared ...
... 10. That injuries and penalties of persecutions are not to be feared by us, because
greater is the Lord to protect than the devil to assault. ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/10 that injuries and penalties.htm

Whether Baptism Should Take Away the Penalties of Sin that Belong ...
... OF THE EFFECTS OF BAPTISM (TEN ARTICLES) Whether Baptism should take away
the penalties of sin that belong to this life? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether baptism should take away.htm

The Canon Subjects to Penalties those who Take Heathen Oaths...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XCIV. The canon subjects to penalties
those who take heathen oaths? The canon subjects to ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xciv the canon subjects.htm

Concerning those who have Yielded Merely Upon Threat of Penalties ...
... Canon VI. Concerning those who have yielded merely upon threat of penalties
and of the confiscation of? Concerning those who have ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon vi concerning those who.htm

Dr. Martin Luther Concerning Penitence and Indulgences.
... 5. The Pope has neither the will nor the power to remit any penalties, except those
which he has imposed by his own authority, or by that of the canons. ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/disputation of dr martin luther.htm

Whether Christ Contracted These Defects?
... hence is contracted. Now these penalties are caused by the principles of
human nature. Therefore Christ contracted them. Objection 3 ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ contracted these defects.htm

Doctor Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences
... 5. The pope does not intend to remit, and cannot remit any penalties other than
those which he has imposed either by his own authority or by that of the Canons ...
/.../luther/martin luthers 95 theses/disputation of doctor martin luther.htm

A Prayer for Pardon and Its Plea
... There is the forgiveness known to love and practised by the friend, or parent, or
lover. The one consists in the remission of external penalties. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/a prayer for pardon and.htm

Atonement.
... subject of the government is injured, and his rights are invaded; and each and all
have a right to expect the government duly to execute the penalties of law ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xxv atonement.htm

Whether the Son of God in Human Nature Ought to have Assumed ...
... But there was no fault in Christ, according to 1:Pet.2:22: "Who did no guile."
Therefore defects of body, which are penalties, ought not to have been in Him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the son of god 11.htm

Penalties (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Penalties (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 19:29 Penalties are
prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools. (WEB NIV). ...
/p/penalties.htm - 6k

Penalty (20 Occurrences)

/p/penalty.htm - 12k

Pen (16 Occurrences)

/p/pen.htm - 14k

Under (4325 Occurrences)
... of life; to have patience under pain, or under misfortunes; to behave like a Christian
under reproaches and injuries; under the pains and penalties of the law ...
/u/under.htm - 8k

Lying (203 Occurrences)
... rendering any true and acceptable worship unto the Lord (Psalm 24:4). The Scriptures
abound with illustrations of lying and the results and penalties therefor. ...
/l/lying.htm - 44k

Repentance (28 Occurrences)
... own character and deeds it means "to rue," "to repent." To adapt language to our
understanding, God is represented as repenting when delayed penalties are at ...
/r/repentance.htm - 31k

Redeem (56 Occurrences)
... and the like. 5. (vt) Hence, to rescue and deliver from the bondage of sin
and the penalties of God's violated law. 6. (vt) To make ...
/r/redeem.htm - 25k

Righteousness (442 Occurrences)
... rendered to him. Merely to escape the penalties of an angry deity the
group demanded ceremonial religious observances. From the ...
/r/righteousness.htm - 56k

Discipline (63 Occurrences)
... 12. (vt) To improve by corrective and penal methods; to chastise; to correct. 13.
(vt) To inflict ecclesiastical censures and penalties upon. Int. ...
/d/discipline.htm - 25k

Disguise (7 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A dress or exterior put on for purposes of concealment or of deception;
as, persons doing unlawful acts in disguise are subject to heavy penalties. ...
/d/disguise.htm - 9k

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Penalties: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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