Ephesians 6:4

Nurture and admonition [π α ι δ ε ι α κ α ι ν ο υ θ ε σ ι α]. Pav deia from paiv a child. In classical usage, that which is applied to train and educate a Child. So Plato : "Education [π α ι δ ε ι α] is the constraining and directing of youth toward that right reason which the law affirms, and which the experience of the best of our elders has agreed to be truly right" (" Laws, "659). In scriptural usage another meaning has come into it and its kindred verb paideuein, which recognizes the necessity of correction or chastisement to thorough discipline. So Leviticus 26:18; Psalms 6:1; Isaiah 53:5; Hebrews 12:5-8. In Acts 7:22 paideuw occurs in the original classical sense :" Moses was instructed [ε π α ι δ ε υ θ η] in all the wisdom, "etc. The term here covers all the agencies which contribute to moral and spiritual training. Discipline is better than Rev., chastening. Nouqesia admonition occurs only here, 1 Corinthians 10:11, and Titus 3:10. The kindred verb nouqetew to warn or admonish, is found only in Paul's letters, with the single exception of Acts 20:31 (see note). Its distinctive feature is training by word of mouth, as is shown by its classical usage in connection with words meaning to exhort or teach. Xenophon uses the phrase nouqetikoi logoi admonitory words. Yet it may include monition by deed. Thus Plato, speaking of public instruction in music, says that the spectators were kept quiet by the admonition of the wand (rJabdou nouqethsiv," Laws, "700). He also uses the phrase plhgaiv nouqetein to admonish with blows. It includes rebuke, but not necessarily. Trench happily illustrates the etymological sense (nouv the mind, tiqhmi to put) :" Whatever is needed to cause the monition to be laid to heart. " Admonition is a mode of discipline, so that the two words nurture and admonition stand related as general and special.

Of the Lord. Such discipline as is prescribed by the Lord and is administered in His name.