What does the Bible say about honoring your parents?

Respecting family and faith

By Shawn Buckles

Honor your parents as the Bible teaches, tying respect and care to faith and divine promise. It's a key commandment with deep roots in Christian values.

The Bible clearly states that honoring your parents is a key commandment, associated with blessings. Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:1-3 instruct children to respect and obey their parents as a fundamental principle, promising a long and prosperous life as a reward for this obedience.

The Bible clearly states that honoring your parents is a key commandment, associated with blessings. Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:1-3 instruct children to respect and obey their parents as a fundamental principle, promising a long and prosperous life as a reward for this obedience.
Exodus 20:12
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise— 'so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.
Ephesians 6:1-3
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:8

Summary

  • Honoring parents is a commandment in the Bible linked with the promise of a good life.
  • The principle is a cornerstone in biblical teachings, influencing how believers view family and respect.
  • This respectful act extends beyond obedience, including care, gratitude, and reverence towards parents.

Bible mentions honoring your parents in the following books:

  • The Fifth Commandment: Honor Your Father and Mother (2005): Dr. Laura Schlessinger explores the depth and significance of the commandment to honor one's parents, discussing its implications for both personal and societal well-being.

  • Honoring Your Parents with a Life That Matters (2003): Wayne Cordeiro offers practical advice and spiritual insight into how living a purposeful, God-centered life is a form of honoring one's parents, emphasizing the blessings associated with this commandment.

  • Boundaries with Parents (2001): Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend navigate the complex task of maintaining healthy boundaries while honoring one's parents, providing biblical guidance for adult children.

  • Walking in the Way of Honor: A Study of the Biblical Command to Honor Your Parents (2014): Gary Inrig delves into the biblical texts surrounding the command to honor one's parents, offering a comprehensive study that highlights the importance and benefits of adherence to this directive.

  • Honoring Parents in Hebraic Perspective (2016): Dwight A. Pryor discusses the commandment from a Hebraic perspective, emphasizing its foundational role in Jewish tradition and its relevance for Christian believers today, highlighting how honoring parents reflects God's order.

Biblical Foundations of Honoring Parents

The concept of honoring one's parents is deeply rooted in biblical texts and is considered a cornerstone of family values. It extends beyond mere obedience, encompassing respect, care, and acknowledgment of parental roles.

The Ten Commandments and Family Honor

In the context of Exodus 20:1-26, God delivers the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai. Among these commandments is the directive to "honor your father and mother" (Exodus 20:12). This is not merely a suggestion but a commandment that underscores the value of family within the community.

Honoring Parents in the Old Testament

The Old Testament repeatedly emphasizes the importance of honoring parents. For instance, Leviticus 19:3 instructs, "Each of you must respect your mother and father," illustrating the parent-child relationship's significance. Such texts highlight honor as a reflection of one's reverence towards God.

The Teachings of Jesus on Honoring Parents

Jesus Christ affirms the Old Testament's teachings on honoring parents. In Matthew 19:19, Jesus reiterates, "Honor your father and mother," positioning this command within His broader moral teachings and linking it to the love one must have for their neighbor.

Parents in the Writings of the Apostles

The Apostles further advocated for the family structure, with Paul particularly stressing the relationship between parents and children. Ephesians 6:1-24 includes guidance for children to obey their parents as an expression of their relationship with the Lord.

The Role of Fathers

Paul also specifically addresses fathers in Ephesians 6:4, urging them not to provoke their children to anger but to bring them up with discipline and instruction. This highlights that honoring parents is a two-way street, with mutual respect and compassion.

Consequences of Dishonoring Parents

Biblical texts also discuss the serious consequences of failing to honor parents. In the strongest of terms, Exodus 21:17 notes that anyone who curses their parents shall be put to death, revealing the gravity of this sin in ancient times.

Promises for Honoring Parents

Conversely, obeying this commandment comes with promises, such as long life and prosperity. This is seen in commands like Deuteronomy 5:16, which promises that those who honor their parents will have a prolonged life.

Understanding Honor in Parent-Child Relationships

To honor one's parents is to show them respect and love, obey them, and care for them as they age. It is a matter of the heart, reflecting one's inner attitudes toward authority and the family unit.

Modern Applications of the Principle

In today's society, honoring parents remains relevant. It adapts to modern challenges while maintaining its core biblical value.

Respect and love for parents are timeless principles. They continue to underpin family and societal structures.

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