What does the Bible say about extended family?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that families are gifts from God, calling believers to faithful love, responsibility, honor, and hope across generations. Genesis 2:24 establishes marriage as a new covenant household, while not denying the continuing importance of parents and relatives. 1 Timothy 5:8 stresses the serious duty to provide for and care for one's own family, especially those in need. Proverbs 17:6 celebrates the mutual joy and honor of grandparents, parents, and children. Yet earthly family is not ultimate: in John 14:1-31, Christ comforts His people with the promise of His Father’s house and draws all who trust Him into God’s eternal household.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 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.
- Genesis 2:24
Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.
- Proverbs 17:6
Children's children are the crown of old men; The glory of children are their parents.
- John 14:1-31
[1] "Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many mansions. If it weren't so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. [3] If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. [4] Where I go, you know, and you know the way." [5] Thomas says to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going. How can we know the way?" [6] Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. [7] If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him, and have seen him." [8] Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." [9] Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, 'Show us the Father?' [10] Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works. [11] Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works' sake. [12] Most assuredly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these will he do; because I am going to my Father. [13] Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it. [15] If you love me, keep my commandments. [16] I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever,-- [17] the Spirit of truth, whom the world can't receive; for it doesn't see him, neither knows him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. [19] Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also. [20] In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. [21] One who has my commandments, and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him." [22] Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?" [23] Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him. [24] He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me. [25] I have said these things to you, while still living with you. [26] But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. [28] You heard how I told you, 'I go away, and I come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I said 'I am going to my Father;' for the Father is greater than I. [29] Now I have told you before it happens so that, when it happens, you may believe. [30] I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me. [31] But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here.
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