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Children and Parents
These verses give direct teaching for family life. Children are told how to respond to parents, and fathers are told to raise children in a way that does not stir anger but gives the Lord’s discipline and instruction.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This passage is written as instruction in a letter, not as a story. It first speaks to children about obeying parents, then quotes a commandment about honouring father and mother with its promise, and finally addresses fathers about how they should treat and nurture their children.
Ephesians 6:1–4Main takeaway
This passage teaches that children should obey and honour their parents, and fathers should raise children with discipline and instruction in the Lord.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Children are told to obeyThe passage begins with a clear instruction to children: obey your parents in the Lord. The reason is given straight away: this is right.
Explanation
The passage begins with a clear instruction to children: obey your parents in the Lord. The reason is given straight away: this is right. The verse speaks directly to children and presents obedience to parents as a proper response within the family.
02The command to honour father and motherThe next verse quotes a command: “Honor your father and mother.” The passage identifies this as the first commandment with a promise.
Explanation
The next verse quotes a command: “Honor your father and mother.” The passage identifies this as the first commandment with a promise. Here the letter connects family life with a command already given by God and draws attention to the promise attached to it.
03A promise attached to the commandThe promise is then stated: “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.”
Explanation
The promise is then stated: “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” The verse does not add further explanation here, but it clearly links the command to honour parents with promised good and long life on the earth.
04Fathers must nurture, not provokeThe final verse turns to fathers. They are told not to provoke their children to wrath. Instead, they are to nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Explanation
The final verse turns to fathers. They are told not to provoke their children to wrath. Instead, they are to nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. The verse puts a warning and a positive responsibility side by side for those raising children.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reason does the passage give for children obeying their parents?
Look at the end of verse 1 and answer with the reason the verse itself gives.
02What command is quoted, and what does the passage say about it?
Read verse 2 carefully and notice both the quoted command and the description attached to it.
03According to verse 4, what should fathers avoid, and what should they do instead?
Compare the warning at the start of the verse with the instruction that follows it.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ephesians 6:1–4
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise:
3“that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.”
4You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Source passages
Source: Ephesians 6 ↗Keep exploring together
Lessons and activities connected with this reading.
