Correction is not always easy.
Sometimes, people hesitate to correct others because they fear hurting feelings or damaging relationships.
Other times, people correct too harshly, without love or wisdom.
But the Bible has much to say about correction.
It teaches that correction should be given with love, received with humility, and always rooted in truth.
Understanding biblical correction can help believers guide others in righteousness while maintaining grace and kindness.
The Purpose of Correction
Correction is not about proving someone wrong or making them feel bad.
It is about helping them grow in wisdom and righteousness.
Proverbs 27:6 says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
This means that true friends correct each other out of love, even when it is uncomfortable.
A person who refuses to correct a friend who is going down the wrong path is not acting in love.
Correction is an act of care, not criticism.
It helps people avoid sin and live in a way that honors God.
Correcting with Love, Not Harshness
The Bible is clear that correction should always be done with love.
Galatians 6:1 instructs, “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.”
Gentleness is key.
Correcting someone in anger or frustration often does more harm than good.
Ephesians 4:15 also reminds believers to “speak the truth in love.”
Truth without love can be harsh, but love without truth can be misleading.
Both are needed for effective correction.
The Right Attitude When Correcting Others
When correcting someone, attitude matters.
It should never come from a place of pride, arrogance, or self-righteousness.
Matthew 7:3-5 warns, “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.”
This means believers should examine their own hearts before correcting others.
They should approach correction with humility, not superiority.
Who Should Be Corrected?
Not everyone will accept correction, and the Bible acknowledges this.
Proverbs 9:8 says, “Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.”
Some people reject correction no matter how lovingly it is given.
In these cases, it may be best to step back and pray for them rather than force correction.
Jesus also warned in Matthew 7:6, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs.
If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”
This suggests that correction should be given wisely, not wasted on those who refuse to listen.
However, when correcting a fellow believer who is open to growth, correction can be a blessing.
Receiving Correction with Humility
Just as it is important to correct others, it is also important to receive correction with humility.
Proverbs 12:1 states, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.”
A wise person does not resist correction but welcomes it as an opportunity to grow.
Hebrews 12:11 acknowledges that “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Correction may not feel good at the moment, but it ultimately leads to maturity and wisdom.
Correcting Those in Authority
It can be intimidating to correct someone in a position of authority, but the Bible provides guidance on this as well.
1 Timothy 5:1-2 advises, “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father.
Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”
Respect should always be part of correction, especially when addressing those in leadership or authority.
However, leaders are not above correction.
1 Timothy 5:20 says, “But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.”
If a leader is living in unrepentant sin, correction may need to be more direct and public for the sake of the church.
Correcting in Private vs. Publicly
Jesus provided a clear process for correction in Matthew 18:15-17.
He said, “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.’
If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
This shows that correction should first happen privately.
If the person does not listen, others may be brought in.
Public correction should only happen when private correction has failed and when the issue is serious.
The Role of the Church in Correction
The church has a responsibility to correct members who are living in sin.
Titus 1:13 instructs, “Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith.”
However, this must be done with the goal of restoration, not condemnation.
2 Thessalonians 3:15 says, “Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.”
Correction should always seek to restore a person, not push them away.
Avoiding a Judgmental Spirit
While correction is necessary, the Bible warns against having a judgmental attitude.
Romans 14:10 asks, “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister?
Or why do you treat them with contempt?
For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.”
Correction should never be about personal opinions or minor disagreements.
It should focus on leading others closer to Christ, not tearing them down.
When to Let God Handle It
There are times when correction should be left to God.
Romans 12:19 reminds believers, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
If someone refuses correction and continues in sin, it is ultimately between them and God.
Praying for them and trusting God’s justice may be the best approach.
Final Thoughts
The Bible teaches that correcting others is an act of love, not condemnation.
Correction should always be done with humility, gentleness, and wisdom.
Believers should correct others when necessary but also be open to receiving correction themselves.
The goal of correction is not to judge or control but to help each other grow in faith and righteousness.
When correction is handled biblically, it strengthens relationships, builds character, and honors God.