Commands for Children (Part 1) | Ephesians Study

Ephesians 6:1
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Colossians 3:20, "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord."

In case one doesn't fully understand the simple command, "obey" means (NT:5219 hupakouo) "to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority:" Children are to put themselves under the God-given authority of their parents. It is right (equitable, innocent, holy). It is well pleasing (fully agreeable) to the Lord.

These verses indicate more than simple obedience to parents. We are not to obey our parents because it is right in their eyes and well pleasing unto them. It is a higher standard than that: by obeying their parents, the children are obeying God. Even at a young age, children can (and should) understand that it is not merely an act of obeying parents, but much more importantly, an act of obeying (or disobeying) God.

Ephesians 6:2, Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

After a child is to obey their parents, they are to honor them. Honor means (NT:5091 timao) "to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere:"

Ephesians 6:3, That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Not only do we see that God has commanded us to obey; but He has so much as given us a promise for when we do obey. God's commands are not without blessings - if we follow. Do we want things to be well with us? Well then, we must deny ourselves and humble ourselves to obey God's commands. Do we want a long life? We must again deny our "rights" and humble ourselves to God's commands. It is as simple as that.