Ephesians Chapter 6
Family Relationships
6 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 so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.
- In chapter 5 we all learned to be imitators of God as “beloved Children” copying Godly behavior.
- We started with the Husbands (spiritual head of the family); then the wife; now the children and the families.
- He begins by telling “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. They are to obey their parents “in the Lord” which means because God said so not because they feel like it or don’t feel like it. It’s a commandment from the Lord. He said “for this is right”. This is how it is supposed to be. It might not always make sense but do it!
- Then He says “Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise). To honor someone, you obey them; you do what they say; you value their opinion; you speak highly of them; you don’t speak poorly of them. Children are instructed to honor the father and mother (both parents) not just one. Show great love and respect and honor your parents.
- Why, because obedience always has a reward attached to it. In this case several:
o So that it may be well with you
o And that you may live long on the earth
- The word “well” means to be well off, fare well, prosper.
- You will do well financially, and your efforts will prosper (and not fail).
- And you may live long on the earth (your life will be extended, and you will live a long full life because you will avoid many hurtful situations that most children will experience when do they don’t obey their parents or God or the Word).
- If you only knew the blessings that would come to you by obeying your parents and listening to their advice. It would help save you from much heartache and long-term effects.
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- Now we switch to Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but (instead) bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. This tells us that fathers should not get frustrated and argumentative and provoke our children. But (instead) bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. The Lord does discipline His children. So too, fathers are to discipline their children but, in the discipline, and instruction of the Lord (according the Word). This means that fathers should read the word to their children even when having to discipline them.
- Never discipline while angry or upset. Never yelling. But calmly, prayerfully, thoughtfully and in a Godly way…
5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; 6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.
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