DISCIPLINE dis’ ə plin (מוּסָר, H4592; παιδεία, G4082). The word discipline is Old Eng. from Lat. disciplina, “instruction,” “training,” “discipline,” from discipulus, “a learner,” from discere, “to learn.” The Heb. musar is tr. “correction” or “chastisement,” while a kindred word moser means “bands” or “bonds.” Greek paideia includes both the negative and positive meanings listed above. Paul counsels: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). He states that the commendable conduct of “the Lord’s servant...[is] correcting his opponents with gentleness” (2 Tim 2:24f.). In his climactic admonition to Timothy, he wrote, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training [discipline] in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16).

Discipline in the OT is restricted to punishment by “the discipline of the Lord” (Deut 11:2) and by parents. Consequently, the following may be observed. Punitive discipline is administered by someone in authority and in position of responsibility. It is introduced Biblically with the Mosaic law as punishment for its violation (Lev 26:23; Deut 4:36; 11:2; cf. Exod 20:20). In a liturgy on divine judgment the psalmist quotes God in saying, “You hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you” (Ps 50:17). Centuries later, when national Israel was on the brink of disaster, facing the impending judgment of the Babylonian captivity, its apostasy was recalled: “This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God, and did not accept discipline” (Jer 7:28). Means of divine discipline included plagues, pestilence, poverty, wild beasts, crop failure, property destruction, famine, sword, captivity, fear, pining, disease, desolation, and death (Lev 26:14-39).

Besides the five already mentioned, eleven other references to discipline occur in the OT, all of them in Proverbs. The writer admonishes: “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline” (Prov 3:11); points out that “the reproofs of discipline are the way of life” (6:23f.); that “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge” (12:1); and that one should not hate discipline (5:12), for “He dies for lack of discipline” (5:23), and “there is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way” (15:10). With reference to parental discipline, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him” (13:24); “Discipline your son while there is hope” (19:18); discipline will expel folly from a child (22:15; see 23:13; 29:17).

The NT discipline is primarily of a positive nature, and is associated with love rather than law. Jesus’ life and teachings, and that of His dedicated followers elevated discipline to an essential and desirable means of achieving the highest goals. Jesus’ willingly self-imposed deprivations and sacrifices constitute the noblest forms of discipline (Luke 9:58; Phil 2:1-8). The same spirit is manifest in His teachings concerning self-denial and bearing crosses (Matt 10:37f.; Luke 14:25-33).

Significantly and appropriately Jesus’ specially selected twelve men were called “disciples.” They were learners under the great Teacher, having accepted His invitation to “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me” (Matt 11:29). They had matriculated in His school and committed themselves to His discipline, the education required for their high calling. Following this precedent self-discipline became a chief characteristic of dedicated Christian workers. After the resurrection, and the new power given on Pentecost, Christ’s followers committed themselves to learning the sacred writings and to teaching others. Paul admonished Timothy to “Train yourself in godliness” (1 Tim 4:7b); and “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15); and “Take heed to yourself and to your teaching” (1 Tim 4:16). The writer of Hebrews mentions discipline six times, all in one ch., in the punitive manner of its OT use. He begins with the exhortation, “Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord” (12:5), and concludes, “For the moment all discipline seems painful” (12:11).

Ultimately discipline is in the hands of God, though it is delegated in part to institutions: government, school, church, and home. And everyone is disciplined, either by self, or society or God.

Bibliography R. de Vaux, Ancient Israel (1962), 147-150; E. W. K. Mould, Bible History (1966), 552, 581-584, 682.