Flagellants

Paul the apostle reported that “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Cor. 9:27 NIV).

The “prize” refers to eternal life, and he is referring to achieving a victory over fleshly desires. But over the centuries some Christians took his words in a literal way, whipping or scourging themselves.

These are known as the flagellants, from the Latin word flagellum, meaning “whip.” This practice (which most Christians find absurd) brings to mind Jesus being scourged by the Romans (John 19:1).

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