Read & explore together
Christian Households
These four verses give brief instructions for relationships within a Christian household. They address wives, husbands, children and fathers, showing that home life is spoken about in relation to the Lord.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This passage is direct teaching from a letter. It speaks in order to four groups in a household: wives, husbands, children and fathers. Some commands include a reason or result, such as what is fitting in the Lord, what pleases the Lord, and avoiding discouragement.
Colossians 3:18–21Main takeaway
This passage teaches wives, husbands, children and fathers to act in ways shaped by the Lord, with subjection, love, obedience, and care not to provoke children into discouragement.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Wives and what is fittingThe first instruction says, “Wives, be in subjection to your husbands.” The verse also adds, “as is fitting in the Lord.”
Explanation
The first instruction says, “Wives, be in subjection to your husbands.” The verse also adds, “as is fitting in the Lord.” That phrase gives the command its setting. The passage presents this instruction as fitting in relation to the Lord.
02Husbands and the command to loveHusbands are told, “love your wives,” and also, “don’t be bitter against them.” The verse gives both a positive command and a prohibition.
Explanation
Husbands are told, “love your wives,” and also, “don’t be bitter against them.” The verse gives both a positive command and a prohibition. Husbands are instructed to show love toward their wives and not to act with bitterness against them.
03Children and obedienceChildren are addressed directly in this teaching. They are told to “obey your parents in all things”.
Explanation
Children are addressed directly in this teaching. They are told to “obey your parents in all things”. The verse then gives a reason: “for this pleases the Lord.” Obedience within family life is connected here with what pleases the Lord.
04Fathers and discouragementThe final instruction says, “Fathers, don’t provoke your children.” The verse also names the result to avoid: “so that they won’t be discouraged.”
Explanation
The final instruction says, “Fathers, don’t provoke your children.” The verse also names the result to avoid: “so that they won’t be discouraged.” The command is clear, and the passage specifically warns against provoking children into discouragement.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What words in Colossians 3:18 show how the instruction to wives is framed?
Look at the final phrase of the verse and notice how it relates the instruction to the Lord.
02What two commands are given to husbands in Colossians 3:19?
Read the whole verse and identify both the positive instruction and the negative warning.
03What result does Colossians 3:21 say fathers should avoid causing?
The answer appears after the words “so that” at the end of the verse.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Colossians 3:18–21
18Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them.
20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.
21Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.