In the context of the Bible, the concept of being "punishable" is closely tied to the themes of justice, sin, and divine law. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that outline what actions are considered punishable and the consequences that follow.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament law, given to the Israelites, contains a comprehensive list of actions deemed punishable. The Mosaic Law, as recorded in the Pentateuch, outlines various offenses and their corresponding penalties. For instance, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) serve as a foundational moral code, with violations considered punishable by God and, in many cases, by the community.

Leviticus 20 provides specific examples of punishable offenses, such as idolatry, blasphemy, and various forms of immorality. Leviticus 20:10 states, "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death." This reflects the seriousness with which the law treated certain sins.

The principle of retributive justice, often summarized as "an eye for an eye" (Exodus 21:24), underscores the idea that punishable actions should receive a proportionate response. This principle was intended to maintain order and justice within the community.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of what is punishable shifts focus from the legalistic framework of the Old Testament to the spiritual and moral teachings of Jesus Christ. While the New Testament does not abolish the idea of punishment, it emphasizes repentance, forgiveness, and the transformative power of grace.

Jesus addresses the issue of punishment in several teachings. In the Sermon on the Mount, He expands on the understanding of the law, urging His followers to go beyond mere legal compliance to embrace a heart of righteousness (Matthew 5:21-48). For example, in Matthew 5:22, Jesus warns, "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment."

The Apostle Paul also discusses the concept of punishment in the context of divine justice. Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Here, Paul highlights the ultimate punishment for sin—spiritual death—while also pointing to the hope of redemption through Christ.

Divine Justice and Mercy

Throughout the Bible, the tension between divine justice and mercy is evident. God is portrayed as a righteous judge who cannot tolerate sin, yet He is also depicted as merciful and willing to forgive those who repent. This duality is encapsulated in passages such as Psalm 103:10-12, which declares, "He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him."

The ultimate expression of God's justice and mercy is found in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through His atoning work, believers are offered forgiveness and reconciliation with God, despite their punishable offenses.

Conclusion

The Bible's teachings on what is punishable serve as a guide for understanding God's standards of holiness and justice. While the Old Testament law provides specific examples of punishable actions, the New Testament emphasizes the need for repentance and the availability of grace through Jesus Christ. This balance of justice and mercy reflects the character of God and His desire for humanity to live in accordance with His will.(a.) Deserving of, or liable to, punishment; capable of being punished by law or right; -- said of person or offenses.

The Sin of Omission.
... positively to commit murder. Failure to come up to the line of rectitude
is as punishable, as to step over that line. God requires of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/shedd/sermons to the natural man/the sin of omission.htm

Idolatry in Its More Limited Sense. Its Copiousness.
... us against the devil's depths, [171] would have but limited scope, if we were judged
only in such faults as even the heathen nations have decreed punishable. ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter ii idolatry in its more.htm

Scheme of Necessity Denies the Reality of Moral Distinctions.
... What can be more unquestionable, than that we can be neither to praise nor to blame,
neither justly rewardable nor punishable for anything over whose existence ...
/.../chapter iii scheme of necessity.htm

Mans Sanctification and Good Works...
... though we do good works, we do not found our salvation upon them; for we can do
no work but what is polluted by our flesh, and also punishable; and although we ...
/.../various/the belgic confession /article xxiv mans sanctification and.htm

The Race of Life
... So wickedness means, not merely open crimes which are punishable by the law, but
all which comes out of a man's own wilfulness and perverseness" injustice ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon x the race of.htm

Lutherans in New York.
... churches by Reformed pastors, and to promise to bring them up in the Confession
of Dort; and private services in dwellings were made punishable with severe ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/lutherans in new york.htm

Rom. x. 14, 15
... that "being ignorant of God's righteousness, they submitted not themselves" to it:
he next shows, that for this ignorance itself they were punishable before God ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xviii rom x 14.htm

Chrysostom and Eudoxia. His Second Banishment, AD 403
... He refused to acknowledge Arsacius and Atticus as his successors; and this was
made a crime punishable with degradation, fine and imprisonment. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/chapter ix chrysostom and eudoxia his.htm

What Does God Forbid in the Eighth Commandment?
... God forbids not only those thefts, [320] and robberies, [321] which are punishable
by the magistrate; but he comprehends under the name of theft all wicked ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 110 what does god.htm

On Obedience to Parents
... enforced in the strongest manner. In the Jewish revelation, the notorious breakers
thereof were punishable with death. And this was one ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 96 on obedience to.htm

Punishable (3 Occurrences)
... or right; -- said of person or offenses. Multi-Version Concordance Punishable
(3 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 21:22 If a man does a ...
/p/punishable.htm - 7k

Punished (47 Occurrences)

/p/punished.htm - 20k

Kidnapping (1 Occurrence)
... The crime was directly forbidden in the Hebrew law (Exodus 21:16 Deuteronomy
24:7), and was made punishable with death. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/k/kidnapping.htm - 7k

Gleaning (10 Occurrences)
... 19:9; Leviticus 23:22 Deuteronomy 24:19-21). Breaking this law was a
punishable offense. The generosity of the master of the crop ...
/g/gleaning.htm - 12k

Murder (41 Occurrences)
... The Mishna says that a mortal blow intended for another than the victim is punishable
with death; but such a provision is not found in the Law. ...
/m/murder.htm - 24k

Manstealing
... The crime was directly forbidden in the Hebrew law (Exodus 21:16 Deuteronomy
24:7), and was made punishable with death. MANSTEALING. man'-stel-ing. ...
/m/manstealing.htm - 7k

Curse (211 Occurrences)
... nor the deaf (Leviticus 19:14). Cursing God or blaspheming was punishable
by death (Leviticus 24:10-16). The words "curse God and ...
/c/curse.htm - 46k

Capital (29 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Having reference to, or involving, the forfeiture of the head or life;
affecting life; punishable with death; as, capital trials; capital punishment. ...
/c/capital.htm - 16k

Crimes (22 Occurrences)
... beyond protection from violence (Exodus 22:2). The crime might be committed in various
degrees, and to burglarize the "devoted things" was punishable by death ...
/c/crimes.htm - 44k

Crime (45 Occurrences)
... beyond protection from violence (Exodus 22:2). The crime might be committed in various
degrees, and to burglarize the "devoted things" was punishable by death ...
/c/crime.htm - 51k

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