In this Ephesians 6:1-3 Devotional, we’ll discover what it means to obey and honor our parents, why this commandment holds a promise of blessing, and how it reflects our relationship with our Heavenly Father. In the world today respect for authority is questioned more times than it’s not, but this passage reminds us of the value God places on the family, starting with the parent-child connection. Let’s explore how obedience in the family can lead to a deeper Christian life and enrich both our earthly and spiritual relationships.
What is the Meaning of Ephesians 6:1-3?
Ephesians 6:1-3 is a powerful message where the Apostle Paul instructs children to obey their parents in the Lord. These verses are part of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, addressing the structure and child-parent relationship within a Christian home. Let’s read this passage and take a closer look at how it applies to our lives today.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
Ephesians 6:1-3 New King James Version
Ephesians begins with a straightforward command, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” This instruction seems simple, but it carries a deeper meaning.
The phrase “in the Lord” highlights that obedience to parents isn’t just a family matter but a spiritual one. For Christian children, obeying their parents is part of following the will of God. It’s more than just following household rules, it’s about aligning with God’s purpose and honoring the God-given authority of our parents. This makes children’s obedience an act of worship and submission to God Himself.
Paul continues in verse 2, quoting from the Ten Commandments, “Honor your father and mother.” This commandment originally appears in the Old Testament book of Exodus and is reiterated here to show its continued importance in the New Testament and the Christian life today.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12 ESV
By repeating this commandment, Paul emphasizes that honoring our parents is a timeless principle, central to the family and to our faith. This honor involves treating parents with respect, kindness, and care, acknowledging their role not only as authority figures but as representatives of God’s care and instruction in a child’s life.
What makes this command unique is the promise attached to it, as Paul mentions in verse 3, “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” This is the first commandment with a promise, highlighting that God values our obedience and honors it with a special blessing. This promise assures us that if we honor our parents, God will reward us with a life filled with peace, stability, and His divine favor. The concept of a “long life” here isn’t just about years but encompasses a life of purpose, joy, and fulfillment as we walk in obedience to God’s Word.
These verses are a reminder that God blesses those who follow His commandments. While obeying our parents may seem challenging for younger children or even for older children in different phases of life, it carries the assurance that God sees, values, and blesses our efforts. Following God’s plan always leads to true and lasting benefits, both here on earth and in our relationship with Him.
Ephesians 6:1-3 gives us more than a simple rule for family life. It presents a framework that honors the authority of parents while teaching children the Biblical virtues of respect, obedience, and love. It encourages children and parents alike to recognize that God’s hand is in their relationship, working to create a bond that reflects His love, guidance, and blessing.
A Reflection of Our Relationship with God
The way children obey and honor their parents mirrors our relationship with God. Just as Christian children are commanded to respect and obey their parents, as believers we’re called to obey God’s Word and live according to His will. This parent-child relationship is a powerful analogy for our own submission to God’s authority. Obedience to our Heavenly Father is always the right thing to do, just like obedience to our parents is.
Parents act as the first authority in a child’s life, teaching them about God’s authority. This relationship is an introduction to understanding God’s expectations and the blessing of living a life in accordance with His Word.
This verse from Hebrews reminds us that our respect for earthly parents reflects our willingness to submit to our Heavenly Father’s guidance. As we learn obedience and honor within the family, we’re ultimately preparing our hearts to respect and follow God’s loving authority.
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!
Hebrews 12:9 New International Version
The Call to Obedience: Obey Your Parents in the Lord
When Paul instructs children to “obey your parents in the Lord”, he emphasizes that obedience to parents isn’t just a family duty, it’s part of a child’s relationship with God. This obedience is rooted in faith and a desire to follow the instruction of the Lord. By aligning with the authority of our parents, children learn to submit to the ultimate authority of God, who designed the family and established these roles for our good and His glory.
This command also acknowledges the role of Godly parents who seek to raise their children “in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). A Christian home is intended to be a place where kids receive guidance that’s in line with God’s Word and where their parents’ instruction reflects God’s love and wisdom. When children obey their parents, they’re not only honoring the people who take care of them, but they’re also respecting God’s design for the family and the values He wants to instill in their lives.
An essential part of this obedience is understanding that it’s the right thing to do. In the book of Colossians, Paul echoes this message of obeying your parents…
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Colossians 3:20 English Standard Version
Obeying parents is pleasing to God because it demonstrates humility, trust, and respect, all values that strengthen a young Christian’s walk with God. Obedience is bigger than following rules, it’s about developing a heart that’s open to learning and willing to submit to God’s plan, qualities that deepen our relationship with the Lord.
When children choose to obey their parents “in the Lord,” they recognize authority in a way that honors God and prepares them for a life of faith. This obedience nurtures a spirit of respect, that will help them in every aspect of life, from relationships to work and ministry. It instills an understanding in young believers that obedience is a core value in the Christian life, extending beyond the home and into their relationship with their Heavenly Father.
More Than Obedience: Honor Your Father and Mother
The command to “honor your father and mother” is one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses in the Old Testament. To honor someone means to hold them in high regard, and treat them with respect, love, and consideration. This command isn’t limited to following our parents’ instructions when we’re young, it extends throughout our lives. Honoring parents is an attitude of the heart that recognizes the value and authority God has given to them.
Honoring our father and mother reflects a deeper respect for God Himself. As we grow, we understand that showing kindness, patience, and gratitude toward our parents isn’t just a courtesy, it’s a form of worship that reflects our submission to God’s will for the family structure. This honor involves a commitment to valuing our father and mother, speaking well of them, caring for them as they age, and maintaining a heart of respect even when we disagree or it’s challenging.
The book of Proverbs underscores this by saying…
Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Proverbs 23:22 NIV
This verse is about the lasting importance of honoring our parents through every season of life, especially as they grow older and may need our support. It reminds us that honoring our parents isn’t simply for young children or teenagers but for people of all ages, carrying a lifelong responsibility.
In a Christian family, honoring parents is also essential to creating a harmonious and nurturing home. Little children who learn to respect their parents grow up with an understanding of respect that translates into every part of their lives, fostering strong, respectful relationships with others. Older children, young people, and even adult children who continue to honor their parents are setting an example within the family and the community, demonstrating that they’re living according to the Word of God.
Honoring parents involves seeing them as God-given authority figures in our lives. While no earthly parent is perfect, honoring them involves showing grace and forgiveness, acknowledging their efforts, and choosing love and respect. When we honor our parents, we’re following the way of God, reflecting a heart that values the family structure He created for us to enjoy and cultivating a family relationship that reflects His love. This choice to honor parents becomes a living witness to others, showing how our faith in Jesus Christ can shape our attitudes, actions, and family relationships.
The Promise of God: Blessings of Obedience and Honor
One of the remarkable aspects of God’s command to “honor your father and mother” is that it comes with a special promise of God’s blessings. In Ephesians 6:2-3, Paul writes, “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.” This promise from God assures us that honoring and obeying parents isn’t just a good idea, it’s a path that leads to a life blessed by God’s favor.
In Proverbs 3:1-2, we find a similar assurance of God’s blessing for those who keep His commandments…
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
Proverbs 3:1-2 NIV
Here, the promise of a long and peaceful life is directly connected to honoring God’s Word and keeping His commands close to our hearts. When we honor our parents, we’re embracing this amazing promise and inviting God’s favor into our lives, knowing that living according to God’s instructions brings peace, stability, and blessings that extend beyond our immediate circumstances.
The promise of “long life” and things going “well with you” is about more than just personal gain, it’s about the goodness and harmony that God desires for families and communities. When Christian children honor and obey their parents, they’re contributing to a Christian home filled with God’s love, protection, and provision. This creates a ripple effect, where the values of respect and faithfulness pass from generation to generation, forming a legacy of faith that glorifies God.
In the modern world, authority and family structures are undervalued, but this promise shows us the great importance God places on family relationships and reassures us of His blessing when we commit to living by His commandments. For both young children and older children alike, the act of honoring parents opens the door to God’s favor and reflects His heart for the family.
Choosing to honor our Christian fathers and mothers is a decision based on our faith in Jesus and our love for Him that connects us to God’s promise. Jesus said…
If you love Me, keep My commandments.
John 14:15 NKJV
Jesus spells love: OBEY. When we lay down our personal aspirations and live in obedience to His commandments, including honoring our parents, we’re assured of His blessing, not only for ourselves but for the entire Christian family. Through obeying our parents, we’re living out God’s will in a way that leads to a good life, surrounded by His peace, joy, and love.
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God’s Hand in Our Family Life
As we reflect on God’s hand in our lives, it’s clear that He designed the family as a place for nurturing, guidance, and spiritual growth. The obedience of children to their parents and the love of parents for their children are all part of His perfect plan. Each member of the family has a role to play in honoring God and making the home a place of blessing, love, and security.
When we see God’s hand at work in our families, it encourages us to foster a Christian home where His presence is honored, and His will is followed. This commitment to a God-centered home helps create a lasting legacy of faith, love, and obedience to God’s Word. By honoring one another, we reflect God’s love and create an atmosphere where His peace and guidance flow through every relationship.
In the Psalms, we’re reminded…
Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Psalm 127:1 NIV
This verse emphasizes that a strong, Christian family relies on God’s hand and blessing. When we invite Him to lead our families, His wisdom and love shape our relationships, creating a firm foundation that endures through both the good times and the hard times.
Practical Ways to Honor and Obey
Here are some practical ways children and adults alike can honor and obey their parents, creating a spirit of love and respect in the family:
- Listening Attentively: Truly listen to what your parents have to say, showing that their wisdom is valued.
- Expressing Gratitude: Say “thank you” often. Everyone, including parents, appreciates hearing that their efforts are noticed and valued.
- Helping and Serving: Offer to assist them, whether it’s with household chores, errands, or spending quality time together.
- Praying for Them: Lift your parents in prayer, asking for God’s blessings and guidance in their lives.
- Seeking Their Counsel: Show respect by considering their advice and wisdom, especially when making tough life decisions.
- Honoring Their Legacy: Carry forward the positive values they’ve instilled in you, and cherish their memory if they’ve already gone to be with the Lord.
Obedience and honor can be shown in many ways, small and large, with each action strengthening family bonds and bringing glory to God in the process.
Obeying Parents as God-Given Authority
God has given parents a unique position of authority over their children, reflecting His own authority over us. This God-given authority is a vital part of the family structure and it’s a model for how we should approach all authority in our lives, especially God’s. Honoring parents, as God commands, isn’t about falling into line to maintain a peaceful household. It’s a fundamental part of the Christian life that cultivates a heart that recognizes and respects authority, a heart that’s willing to submit to God’s will and direction.
In Proverbs 1, we read…
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.
Proverbs 1:8-9 NIV
This passage highlights the value of a parent’s care and authority, illustrating how God designed parents to guide their children in wisdom and righteousness. When a godly child honors and obeys their father and mother, they’re receiving life-giving guidance that will help them grow in wisdom and faith.
A young person who learns to obey their earthly parents is being prepared to follow the will of God throughout their life. By learning to submit to the authority of their parents, they’re building a foundation of respect for the Lord’s authority as they mature. This respect shapes their Christian walk, teaching them to trust in God’s plan, obey His commands, and recognize the importance of living a life of humility and submission. This willingness to accept guidance and instruction paves the way for a life of obedience to God, helping young people develop the character and integrity that reflect Jesus Christ.
Honoring parents and respecting their authority is part of honoring God Himself. Through the family, God trains us in the importance of obedience, meekness, and love, all qualities that strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with Him. A Christian family that values parental guidance and God’s authority is a powerful witness to the goodness of following God.
Instruction of the Lord and the Role of Godly Parents
Being a parent is hard work! Christian parents are responsible for teaching the instruction of the Lord to their children, grounding them in the Word of God, and nurturing them in faith. This role it’s about laying down the law, it’s building a foundation of godliness and integrity. Effective parenting involves guiding children with God’s principles, symbolized by the Armor of God.
In this powerful section of Ephesians, Paul describes the Armor of God, saying…
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground… Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place… Take up the shield of faith… Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:13-17
Each piece of this armor represents virtues and strengths that children will need throughout their Christian lives, and parents play a vital role in teaching these principles.
The “breastplate of righteousness,” helps children develop a heart for what is right and good. The “shield of faith” guides them in trusting in God’s promises even when circumstances are difficult, while the “helmet of salvation” protects their minds, reminding them of their identity in Christ. With the “sword of the Spirit”, the Word of God, children are equipped to counter temptation and stay grounded in truth. Godly parents understand that instilling these virtues at an early age will prepare their children for a life of faith and spiritual resilience.
When young children are taught obedience and respect for authority from an early age, they’re more likely to grow into Godly children who honor both their parents and their Heavenly Father. By grounding children in the instruction of the Lord, parents are shaping not just obedient children but disciples of Christ. This foundation of faith becomes a guiding light as children grow, helping them navigate life’s challenges with wisdom, courage, and strength anchored in God’s Word.
Blessings of Obedience and the Christian Family
When children honor and obey their parents, it creates harmony within the Christian family. This obedience is a demonstration of love and respect that fosters unity among family members. By obeying their parents, children learn to value the family structure that God has ordained, creating a foundation for a happy family life where peace and love flourish. In a Christian home, obedience becomes a powerful force that helps everyone feel secure and cherished, building bonds that are strengthened by mutual respect and shared faith.
The blessings of obedience go beyond the individual child and reach the entire family. When children honor their parents, they contribute to an environment where Christian values are embraced, not just spoken about. This obedience allows parents to feel appreciated and respected, encouraging them to continue nurturing their children in faith. A family where children obey and honor their parents often experiences a greater sense of togetherness, because each member is fulfilling their role in a way that honors God and supports one another.
Obedience also creates a Christian home where God’s presence can dwell, filling it with His peace and blessings. Children are align themselves with God’s design, inviting His presence into the home by leaning on parental leadership. This shared commitment to obedience creates a home filled with God’s peace, where each member feels connected and valued.
The obedience of children is an essential part of the family relationship, contributing to an environment where Christian virtues are deeply rooted. In a family that values obedience, the seeds of faith grow strong, and each member is inspired to live out Christian principles daily. This foundation enables the entire family to grow together spiritually, supporting one another in their walk with Jesus. Through these acts of obedience and honor, a Christian family becomes a living example of God’s love and grace, shining His light into the world around them.
Embracing God’s Design for Families
In this Ephesians 6:1-3 Devotional, we’ve seen that God values obedience within the family because it’s a direct reflection of our relationship with Him. Ephesians 6:1-3 calls us to honor and obey our parents, a command that isn’t just for younger children to follow, it’s a lifelong commitment for all believers. This act of honoring parents brings God’s blessings, strengthens family bonds, and shows our respect for His authority in our lives. When Christian families live out this command, they create a household grounded in love, faith, and mutual respect. Each member of the family learns to value one another as part of God’s design, creating a legacy of faith and honor that glorifies Him. So. let’s follow this commandment and allow God’s love, faithfulness, and guidance to shine through us showing the world the power of His grace!
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