What Does the Bible Say About Abusing Children?

Matthew 18:6-7 ESV / 109 helpful votes

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 69 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 69 helpful votes

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 30 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ...

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 23 helpful votes

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Titus 3:2 ESV / 21 helpful votes

To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Philippians 3:2 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV / 18 helpful votes

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Proverbs 23:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.

Psalm 91:1-16 ESV / 10 helpful votes

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, ...

Proverbs 23:14 ESV / 9 helpful votes

If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

Colossians 3:21 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Matthew 18:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Matthew 18:5 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,

Proverbs 22:15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Proverbs 13:24 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Deuteronomy 21:20-21 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

James 1:27 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Mark 10:14 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Mark 9:42 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

Matthew 18:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Proverbs 29:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Proverbs 19:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

Titus 2:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And so train the young women to love their husbands and children,

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ...

John 3:16-17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Isaiah 1:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.

Proverbs 29:22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.

James 1:19-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Romans 12:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Luke 17:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.

Proverbs 23:13-14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

Proverbs 22:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,

Proverbs 19:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.

Proverbs 11:29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

Psalm 147:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 137:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Deuteronomy 27:25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“‘Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

Exodus 23:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked.

Exodus 21:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine.

49 Bible Verses about Abusing Children

Matthew 18:6-7 ESV / 109 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 69 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 69 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 30 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 23 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 3:2 ESV / 21 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 3:2 ESV / 21 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV / 18 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 23:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 91:1-16 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 23:14 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:21 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:5 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:15 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:24 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 21:20-21 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:27 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 10:14 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 9:42 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 29:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 19:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 1:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 29:22 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:19-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 17:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 23:13-14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 19:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 11:29 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 147:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 137:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 27:25 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 23:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 21:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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