What does the Bible say about adult children?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible calls adult children to honor and care for their parents, while recognizing that every family relationship needs God’s grace, wisdom, and repentance. Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:2-3 uphold enduring honor for father and mother, and Jesus rebukes excuses that evade practical care in Matthew 15:3-6. Parents are likewise accountable to nurture rather than provoke their children, as Ephesians 6:4 teaches. Proverbs 22:6 and 2 Timothy 3:14-15 commend faithful instruction from childhood, yet salvation and heart change belong to God, who gives a new heart in Ezekiel 36:26. In strained relationships, believers depend on Christ's sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:9), pursuing truth, patience, forgiveness, and godly love.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
- Exodus 20:12
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
- Proverbs 20:20
Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
- Ezekiel 36:26
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.
- Ephesians 6:2-3
[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."
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- Ephesians 6:4
You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- Psalms 127:3-5
[3] Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward. [4] As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, So are the children of youth. [5] Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won't be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
- 2 Timothy 3:14-15
[14] But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. [15] From infancy, you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
- Matthew 15:3-6
[3] He answered them, "Why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition? [4] For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.' [5] But you say, 'Whoever may tell his father or his mother, "Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God," [6] he shall not honor his father or mother.' You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition.
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