What does the Bible say about parent child relationship?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that parents and children are to honor God through loving authority, willing obedience, wise instruction, and patient care. Children are called to honor and obey their parents in the Lord, a command joined to God’s promise of blessing (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3). Parents must not provoke or embitter their children, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21). Proverbs commends consistent teaching, correction, and godly example, while warning against neglectful discipline (Proverbs 1:8-9; 13:24; 22:6; 29:15). Hebrews 12:7-11 shows that faithful correction should reflect God’s fatherly, holy love.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Ephesians 6:4 7 votes
You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- Proverbs 22:6 6 votes
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
- Exodus 20:12 5 votes
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
- Ephesians 6:1-24 5 votes
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ, not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same good again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free. You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace, above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints. Pray for me, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.
- Colossians 3:21 4 votes
Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.
- Philippians 2:14 3 votes
Do all things without complaining and arguing,
- Proverbs 29:15 3 votes
The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
- Proverbs 13:24 3 votes
One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
- Proverbs 1:8-9 2 votes
My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching; for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.
- Hebrews 12:7-11 2 votes
It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then you are illegitimate, and not children. Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days disciplined us as seemed good to them, but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
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