Ephesians 6:1 kjv
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Ephesians 6:1 nkjv
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Ephesians 6:1 niv
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Ephesians 6:1 esv
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Ephesians 6:1 nlt
Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.
Ephesians 6 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eph 6:2 | "Honor your father and mother" | Fulfillment of 5th Commandment |
| Col 3:20 | "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." | Echoes the same command |
| Gen 18:19 | "For I have chosen him [Abraham], so that he may command his children..." | Abraham's godly household |
| Exod 20:12 | "Honor your father and your mother..." | The 5th Commandment |
| Deut 5:16 | "Honor your father and mother..." | Reiterates the 5th Commandment |
| Prov 1:8 | "Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction..." | Wisdom literature on obedience |
| Prov 6:20 | "My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching." | Importance of parental teaching |
| Prov 23:22 | "Listen to your father, who gave you life..." | Parental authority acknowledged |
| Prov 23:25 | "May your father and mother be glad..." | Joy from children's obedience |
| Prov 30:17 | "The eye that mocks a father..." | Consequence of disrespecting parents |
| Isa 49:15 | "Can a mother forget the things she nursed?" | God's maternal care |
| Luke 2:51 | "Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them." | Jesus' obedience to earthly parents |
| Rom 12:1 | "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice..." | Call to live in submission to God |
| Phil 4:18 | "I have received full payment and have more than enough; I am amply supplied..." | True satisfaction in pleasing God |
| Heb 12:9 | "...we have earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them..." | Comparison to heavenly Father |
| Heb 12:10 | "...for a short time punished us as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good..." | God's discipline for our good |
| 1 Pet 4:11 | "If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God." | Speaking God's words |
| 1 John 3:17 | "If you do good, you are doing God’s will..." | Living in accordance with God's will |
| Acts 5:29 | "Peter replied: 'We must obey God rather than human beings!'" | God's authority supersedes others |
| Deut 6:7 | "Impress them [God's words] on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home..." | Instruction for children |
| Ps 127:3 | "Children are a heritage from the Lord..." | Children as a blessing |
| Matt 15:4 | "For God said, 'Honor your father and mother,'..." | Jesus quotes the 5th Commandment |
Ephesians 6 verses
Ephesians 6 1 Meaning
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. This command directly links obedience to parents with obedience to Christ, indicating that submission to godly parental authority is aligned with God's will. It establishes a foundation for household harmony and reflects God's own ordering of relationships.
Ephesians 6 1 Context
Ephesians 6:1 is the beginning of Paul's exhortations concerning household relationships. Following his discussion of the roles of husbands and wives in chapter 5, Paul addresses the duties of children and fathers. This section is part of a broader ethical instruction intended to shape the behavior of believers within their social and familial structures, reflecting Christ's lordship over all of life. Historically, honor and obedience within the family were paramount in Roman and Greek society, though Paul refines these expectations within the framework of Christian faith.
Ephesians 6 1 Word Analysis
- Children (τεκνα - tekna): This refers not only to biological offspring but also to those who are adopted or considered dependents. It carries a sense of natural relationship and inheritance within a household structure.
- obey (υπακουω - hypakouo): To listen to, to submit to, to be obedient. This verb implies attentive hearing and responsive action according to what is heard. It is used frequently in the New Testament for obeying God, Christ, and authorities.
- your (υμων - humon): Possessive pronoun indicating "belonging to you."
- parents (γονευσιν - goneusin): This word refers to parents, encompassing both father and mother. In the cultural context, parents held significant authority.
- in the Lord (εν κυριω - en kuriō): This crucial phrase modifies the entire command. Obedience to parents is to be rendered within the sphere and for the sake of Christ. It means that parental authority is honored because it is divinely established, and that obedience is ultimately an act of submission to Christ. If parents command something contrary to God's will, obedience to God takes precedence (Acts 5:29).
- for (οτι - hoti): This conjunction introduces the reason or justification for the command.
- this (τουτο - touto): Refers to the preceding command of obedience.
- is (εστin - estin): A linking verb.
- right (δικαιον - dikaiou): This Greek word means "right," "just," or "proper." It signifies that obeying parents, in this context, is not merely a cultural norm but a morally right and just action, conforming to God's standard.
Word Group Analysis
- "Children, obey your parents": This phrase encapsulates the primary duty of children towards their parental authorities. The imperative verb "obey" underscores the active submission required.
- "in the Lord": This qualifier is vital. It situates the entire relational dynamic under the ultimate authority of Christ. It doesn't mean obeying parents only when it is convenient or agreeable, but rather that the underlying principle of obedience is rooted in one's relationship with Christ.
- "for this is right": The justification provided is moral and ethical, aligning obedience with God's righteousness. It elevates the command beyond a mere suggestion to a matter of moral duty.
Ephesians 6 1 Bonus Section
The concept of "right" (dikaiou) here connects to the broader theme of righteousness in Ephesians. Paul has already discussed how believers are made righteous through Christ and are called to live righteously. Obeying godly authority, including parents, is a demonstration of that imparted righteousness. This verse, along with its counterpart in Colossians 3:20, highlights the application of Christian discipleship within the foundational unit of society – the family. The patriarchal structure was prevalent in that era, and while Paul upholds the children's duty to obey, he later addresses the fathers' responsibilities, implying a balanced relationship under God.
Ephesians 6 1 Commentary
This verse sets forth a fundamental principle for Christian children: honored and consistent obedience to their parents. This obedience is not arbitrary but is grounded in the divine order, which establishes parental authority as a reflection of God's own authority over us. The phrase "in the Lord" is key, reminding children that their submission is an act of worship and faithfulness to Christ, and it is to be expressed within the boundaries of God’s will. When parental instructions align with God’s word, children are to obey wholeheartedly, understanding it as a righteous act pleasing to the Lord. This command reflects Jesus’ own example of submission to His earthly parents. It forms the basis for strong family units where honor and respect flow through all relationships, ultimately glorifying God.
Practical Usage Examples:
- A child being asked to complete chores promptly and without complaint as an act of obedience to parents.
- A teenager seeking parental counsel on major life decisions, understanding that this respect honors God.
- When faced with parental instructions that might conflict with biblical principles, the child lovingly and respectfully states their position, prioritizing obedience to God.