13 Bible Verses About Fraternal Correction
Fraternal correction in Christian life is the practice of one believer correcting another, particularly when the latter commits sin. When exercised without tact or sensitivity, it can deeply wound others. Thus, it must be approached cautiously, especially since the one offering correction is also a sinner.
Discover 13 Bible passages and about fraternal correction with Hozana.
13 Biblical Passages About Fraternal Correction
"Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt." (Leviticus 19:17)
"Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head." ( 141:5)
"Do not find fault before you investigate; first consider, and then reprove." (Sirach 11:7)
"Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it; or if he did, so that he may not do it again. Question a neighbor, perhaps he did not say it; or if he said it, so that he may not repeat it. Question a friend, for often it is slander; do not believe everything you hear. A person may make a slip without intending it; who has not sinned with his tongue? Question your neighbor before you threaten him; and let the law of the Most High take its course." (Sirach 19:13-18, deuterocanonical)
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." ( 7:1-5)
"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’" (Matthew 18:15-16)
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." ( 6:41-42)
"So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them." (Luke 17:3-4)
"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
"And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone." (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
"Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer." (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15)
"And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 2:24-25)
"My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)
With Hozana, Let Us First Seek Holiness!
Rather than focusing on correcting others, let us first learn to repent and concentrate on our own calling: holiness.
For this, Hozana offers communities such as:
Other Questions About Fraternal Correction in the Bible
What is fraternal correction?
Fraternal correction is the act of helping a brother or sister recognize their error and change. This approach is fundamentally an act of love that should be exercised without judgment or condemnation, but with sensitivity, compassion, and patience.
Which verse addresses correcting a brother in error?
In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus explains how to approach someone who has sinned:
"If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." (Matthew 18:15, NIV)
What does the Bible say about correction?
Biblical correction is not harsh scolding but a wise, loving redirection of those whose conduct is misguided. As Proverbs reminds us:
"Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise." (Proverbs 15:31, NIV)
All growth requires accepting correction—true education involves allowing our errors to be addressed.
