Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Physical Abuse?
7 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Physical Abuse in the Bible
What does the Bible say about physical abuse? Browse 10 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.
Top 7 Verses About Physical Abuse
- 1Leviticus 24:19
“And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;”
KJV - 2Psalms 91:1
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. abide: Heb. lodge”
KJV - 3
- 4Acts 2:38
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
KJV - 5Romans 13:8
“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”
KJV - 6Galatians 5:19
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,”
KJV - 7Ephesians 6:4
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
KJV
Subtopics of Physical Abuse
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Physical Abuse? (2 Verses)
“And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;”
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. abide: Heb. lodge”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Physical Abuse? (5 Verses)
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,”
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,”
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Physical Abuse
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about physical abuse. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about physical abuse and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about physical abuse is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on physical abuse needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about physical abuse with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about physical abuse, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Physical Abuse?
You have studied 7 verses about physical abuse. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.