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What does the Bible say about abusive parents?

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The Bible condemns abusive parenting as sin and calls parents to exercise their authority with love, protection, patience, and godly discipline. Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21 warn fathers not to provoke or discourage their children, while 1 Timothy 5:8 teaches the serious duty to provide and care for one’s household. Scripture does not excuse cruelty because of a parent’s position; love is patient and kind, not self-seeking or harsh, as 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 teaches. God is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18) and can be a refuge when even parents fail (Psalm 27:10). Christians should seek safety, wise help, and accountable intervention for those being harmed.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Psalms 27:10

    When my father and my mother forsake me, Then Yahweh will take me up.

  • Ephesians 6:4

    You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

  • 1 Timothy 5:8

    But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

  • Colossians 3:21

    Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.

  • Proverbs 15:1

    A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

  • Psalms 34:18

    Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves those who have a crushed spirit.

  • 1 John 2:4

    One who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

    [1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing. [4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, [5] doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; [10] but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love.

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