What does the Bible say about being a father?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that fathers are called to reflect God’s loving, wise, and faithful care by nurturing their children in the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21 command fathers not to provoke or discourage their children, but to raise them with patient discipline and instruction. Proverbs 22:6 encourages purposeful training, while Proverbs 23:24 speaks of the joy of a righteous child. Psalm 127:3-5 calls children a heritage from the Lord, entrusted rather than possessed. Psalm 103:13 presents God’s compassionate fatherhood as the pattern for earthly fathers. Above all, John 3:16 reveals the Father’s saving love in giving His Son, grounding fatherhood in grace, sacrifice, and trust in God.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Ephesians 6:4
You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
- 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.
- Psalms 103:13
Like a father has compassion on his children, So Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him.
- Proverbs 23:24
The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him.
- John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
- Colossians 3:21
Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.
- Proverbs 14:26
In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, And he will be a refuge for his children.
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