WG: Discipline / Training
Overview
The discipline/training concept in the NT centers on the παιδ- word family (from παῖς "child") and its intersection with related instruction and correction vocabulary. These words work together to describe the full spectrum from formative education to corrective chastening.
Word Group Members
| Strong's |
Word |
Transliteration |
POS |
Occurrences |
Role in Concept |
Library Entry |
| G3811 |
παιδεύω |
paideuo |
verb |
13v |
The action — to discipline, train, educate |
G3811-paideuo.md |
| G3809 |
παιδεία |
paideia |
noun |
6v |
The process — discipline, training, chastening |
TODO(need G3809 study) |
| G3810 |
παιδευτής |
paideutes |
noun |
2v |
The agent — instructor, corrector |
TODO(need G3810 study) |
| G1128 |
γυμνάζω |
gymnazo |
verb |
4v |
The method — to exercise, train (athletic metaphor) |
TODO(need G1128 study) |
| G1651 |
ἐλέγχω |
elegcho |
verb |
17v |
The verbal element — to reprove, convict, rebuke |
TODO(need G1651 study) |
| G1321 |
διδάσκω |
didasko |
verb |
91v |
The cognitive element — to teach, instruct |
TODO(need G1321 study) |
Relationships
Shared Roots
- παιδ- family: paideuo (G3811), paideia (G3809), paideutes (G3810) — all from pais (G3816) "child"
- Broader cognates: paidion (G3813) "little child," paidagogos (G3807) "tutor/guardian," paidiske (G3814) "maidservant"
Co-occurrence (appear in same verses)
| Word A |
Word B |
Shared Verses |
Typical Context |
| paideuo (G3811) |
paideia (G3809) |
1 (Heb 12:7) |
Verb + noun together: "endure chastening... chasteneth" |
| paideuo (G3811) |
elegcho (G1651) |
1 (Rev 3:19) |
Paired correction: "I rebuke and chasten" |
| paideia (G3809) |
gymnazo (G1128) |
1 (Heb 12:11) |
Discipline → trained fruit: "exercised thereby" |
| paideia (G3809) |
elegcho (G1651) |
1 (Heb 12:5) |
Rebuke as component of discipline: "rebuke... chastening" |
Shared Hebrew Sources (LXX bridge convergence)
| Hebrew Word |
Greek Members It Maps To |
Significance |
| H3256 יָסַר (yasar) |
paideuo (33×), elegcho (5×) |
Primary discipline verb — feeds both corrective and verbal branches |
| H3198 יָכַח (yakach) |
elegcho (39×), paideuo (7×) |
Primary reproof verb — feeds verbal correction branch |
| H1847 דַּעַת (daath) |
didasko (8×), paideia (6×) |
"Knowledge" — feeds cognitive/educational branch |
Roles in the Concept
- Action: παιδεύω (paideuo) — the central discipline/training act itself
- Process: παιδεία (paideia) — the ongoing state or experience of being trained
- Agent: παιδευτής (paideutes) — the one who administers discipline (father, God)
- Method: γυμνάζω (gymnazo) — the training exercise that produces endurance
- Verbal component: ἐλέγχω (elegcho) — the reproof/conviction element within discipline
- Cognitive component: διδάσκω (didasko) — the instructional/teaching element
Key Passages Where Multiple Group Words Appear Together
- Heb 12:5-11 — The definitive discipline passage. Contains paideuo (3×), paideia (4×), paideutes (1×), gymnazo (1×), and elegcho (1×). All five of the non-didasko members co-occur in this single passage.
- Rev 3:19 — paideuo + elegcho paired: "I rebuke (elegcho) and chasten (paideuo)"
- 2 Tim 3:16 — paideia in context with didasko/didaskalia: "profitable for doctrine (didaskalia), for reproof (elegmos), for correction, for instruction (paideia) in righteousness"
Generated from: gather_word_group_data.py, search_strongs.py
Last updated: 2026-05-01