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What does the Bible say about disobedient children?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that children are to honor and obey their parents in the Lord, while parents are called to discipline them wisely and lovingly. Ephesians 6:1-3 presents obedience as good and God-honoring, joined to the promise attached to honoring father and mother. Scripture speaks soberly of persistent rebellion, as in Deuteronomy 21:18-21 and Proverbs 30:17, showing that contempt for parents is serious sin. Yet these severe Old Testament civil penalties also reveal sin's gravity, not a warrant for harshness in Christian homes. Proverbs 13:24 and 23:13-14 commend faithful correction, and the gospel calls families to repentance, patient instruction, and faith in Christ.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • Ephesians 6:1-3

    [1] Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [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."

  • Proverbs 30:17

    The eye that mocks at his father, And scorns obedience to his mother: The ravens of the valley shall pick it out, The young eagles shall eat it.

  • Deuteronomy 21:18-21

    [18] If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, who will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and, though they chasten him, will not listen to them; [19] then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out to the elders of his city, and to the gate of his place; [20] and they shall tell the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. [21] All the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones: so shall you put away the evil from the midst of you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

  • Ephesians 5:6

    Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

  • Leviticus 20:9

    "'For everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death: he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.

  • Ephesians 2:2

    in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience;

  • Exodus 21:17

    "Anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

  • Proverbs 13:24

    One who spares the rod hates his son, But one who loves him is careful to discipline him.

  • Proverbs 23:13-14

    [13] Don't withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, he will not die. [14] Punish him with the rod, And save his soul from Sheol.

  • 2 Timothy 3:2

    For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

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