What does the Bible say about respecting parents?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that honoring and obeying parents is a God-given duty, expressing reverence for God’s appointed order, while parents must nurture their children with patient, godly care. Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16 connect honor for father and mother with God’s covenant blessing. Proverbs 1:8 calls children to receive parental instruction, and Ephesians 6:1-3 and Colossians 3:20 commend obedience in the Lord. Yet authority is not harsh or absolute: Ephesians 6:4 commands fathers not to provoke their children, but to raise them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Even the severe warnings against rebellion show how seriously God regards family order and faithful correction.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Exodus 20:12
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
- Proverbs 1:8
My son, listen to your father's instruction, And don't forsake your mother's teaching:
- Ephesians 6:1-4
[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." [4] You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.
- Ephesians 6:1
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
- Exodus 21:17
"Anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.
- Deuteronomy 5:16
"Honor your father and your mother, as Yahweh your God commanded you; that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you, in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
- 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.
- 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.
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