What does the Bible say about dads?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents fathers as called to reflect God’s compassionate, holy care by leading their households in faith, love, discipline, and integrity. Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21 command fathers not to provoke or discourage their children, but to nurture them in the Lord’s instruction. Proverbs 22:6 commends faithful training, while Proverbs 3:11-12 frames loving correction after the pattern of the Lord’s fatherly discipline. Psalm 103:13 reveals God’s tender compassion toward His children, providing the model and strength fathers need. Fathers are to walk uprightly, as Proverbs 20:7 teaches, set their homes toward serving the Lord like Joshua 24:15, and encourage their children toward lives worthy of God, as 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 says.
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.
- Colossians 3:21
Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.
- Psalms 103:13
Like a father has compassion on his children, So Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him.
- Malachi 4:6
He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse."
- 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
[11] As you know how we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children, [12] to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.
- Joshua 24:15
If it seem evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.
- Proverbs 3:11-12
[11] My son, don't despise Yahweh's discipline, Neither be weary of his reproof: [12] For whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; Even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.
- Proverbs 17:6
Children's children are the crown of old men; The glory of children are their parents.
- Proverbs 20:7
A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about dads and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about dads