In the New Testament, the Greek word παιδεύω, paideuo occurs 13 times with a variety of translations into the English including punish (Luke 23:16; 1 Cor. 11:32; 1 Tim. 1:20; Heb. 12:6-7; Rev. 3:19), correct (2 Tim. 2:25), and instruct (Acts 7:22; 22:3; Titus 2:12). This is important in the context of annihilation and eternal conscious torment in that it exemplifies conscious punishment. This does not necessitate that all punishment is conscious (annihilationists say eternal punishment is nonexistence), but it is valuable in that it displays that God’s inspired word designates paideuo as something that is always experienced by someone.

• Greek word: παιδεύω, paideuo
• Meaning:  to instruct by chastisement, punish
• Strong’s #: G3811
• Frequency:  13 occurrences in 13 verses

Summary of the meaning of the Greek word paideuo, punish, instruct, in all verses where it occurs in the New Testament.

• Correction, 1 occurrence
  • 2 Tim. 2:25, correcting those in opposition
• Instruction, 3 occurrences
  • Acts 7:22, Moses was educated in the learning of the Egyptians
  • Acts 22:3, Paul was educated under Gamaliel
  • Titus 2:12, instructing us to deny ungodliness
• Punishment experienced while alive, 9 occurrences
  • Luke 23:16, 22, punished and then released
  • 1 Cor. 11:32, we are disciplined by the Lord
  • 2 Cor. 6:9, punished yet not put to death
  • 1 Tim. 1:20, taught not to blaspheme
  • Heb. 12:6, 7, God disciplines those whom he loves
  • Heb. 12:10, disciplined by earthly fathers
  • Rev. 3:19, the Lord disciplines those whom he loves

 

TABLE OF ALL NEW TESTAMENT USAGES OF PAIDEUO, παιδεύω
Address	Verse	Meaning
Luke 23:16	“Therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”	Punishment experienced while alive
Luke 23:22	“And he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”	Punishment experienced while alive
Acts 7:22	“Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds.”	Instruction
Acts 22:3	“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.	Instruction
1 Cor.11:32	But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.	Punishment experienced while alive
2 Cor. 6:9	“as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death,”	Punishment experienced while alive
1 Tim. 1:20	Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.	Punishment experienced while alive
2 Tim. 2:25	with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth	Correction
Titus 2:12	“instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,”	Instruction
Heb. 12:6	“FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”	Punishment experienced while alive
Heb. 12:7	“It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?”	Punishment experienced while alive
Heb. 12:10	“For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.”	Punishment experienced while alive
Rev. 3:19	“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.”	Punishment experienced while alive

 

Dictionaries and Lexicons consulted

• “παιδεύω paideúō; fut. paideúsō, from país (3816), child. Originally to bring up a child, to educate, used of activity directed toward the moral and spiritual nurture and training of the child, to influence conscious will and action. To instruct, particularly a child or youth (Acts 7:22; 22:3; 2 Tim. 2:25 [cf. Titus 2:12]); to instruct by chastisement (1 Tim. 1:20; Sept.: Ps. 2:10); to correct, chastise (Luke 23:16, 22; 1 Cor. 11:32; 2 Cor. 6:9; Heb. 12:6; Rev. 3:19 [cf. Prov. 3:12]). In a religious sense, to chastise for the purpose of educating someone to conform to divine truth (Heb. 12:7, 10; Sept.: Prov. 19:18; 29:17).
  • Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000
• “παιδεύωc; παιδείαc, ας f: to punish for the purpose of improved behavior—‘to punish, punishment.’
  παιδεύωc: οὐδὲν ἄξιον θανάτου ἐστὶν πεπραγμένον αὐτῷ. παιδεύσας οὖν αὐτὸν ἀπολύσω ‘this man has done nothing to deserve death; I will therefore punish him and let him go’ Lk 23:15–16.
  • Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
• “παιδεύω [paideuo /pahee·dyoo·o/] v. From 3816; TDNT 5:596; TDNTA 753; GK 4084; 13 occurrences; AV translates as “chasten” six times, “chastise” twice, “learn” twice, “teach” twice, and “instruct” once. 1 to train children. 1A to be instructed or taught or learn. 1B to cause one to learn. 2 to chastise. 2A to chastise or castigate with words, to correct. 2A1 of those who are moulding the character of others by reproof and admonition. 2B of God. 2B1 to chasten by the affliction of evils and calamities. 2C to chastise with blows, to scourge. 2C1 of a father punishing his son. 2C2 of a judge ordering one to be scourged.”
  • Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995.