Ephesians 6 2

Ephesians 6:2 kjv

Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

Ephesians 6:2 nkjv

"Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise:

Ephesians 6:2 niv

"Honor your father and mother"?which is the first commandment with a promise?

Ephesians 6:2 esv

"Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise),

Ephesians 6:2 nlt

"Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise:

Ephesians 6 verses

Ephesians 6 2 meaning

Ephesians 6:2 reintroduces the fifth of the Ten Commandments: "Honor your father and mother," and then qualifies it with Paul's parenthetical explanation, "(which is the first commandment with a promise)." The verse emphasizes a divine mandate for children to hold their parents in high esteem, show reverence, provide support, and respect their authority, distinguishing it from mere obedience. The parenthetical remark highlights the unique nature of this commandment among the Decalogue, being the first with an explicit, tangible promise of blessing from God.

Ephesians 6 2 Context

Ephesians 6:2 is nestled within the practical, ethical instructions of Ephesians chapters 4-6, which transition from profound theological truths (chapters 1-3) to their lived application in the Christian community. Specifically, it forms part of the "household codes" (Eph 5:21-6:9), which outline the proper Christian conduct within various domestic relationships: wives and husbands, children and parents, and bondservants and masters. These codes provided believers in diverse Greco-Roman cultural contexts, including Ephesus, with a distinct, Christ-centered model for family and social life that often contrasted with the hierarchical and sometimes exploitative norms of the time. Paul reiterates a foundational principle from the Mosaic Law to emphasize the enduring validity of God's design for familial reverence and order within the new covenant community. This command serves as a moral baseline for children, laying the groundwork for societal stability and spiritual well-being.

Ephesians 6 2 Word analysis

• Honor (τιμάω - timao): This Greek verb signifies more than simple obedience, as commanded in Eph 6:1 (ὑπακούω, hypakouō). It implies valuing someone highly, holding them in esteem, revering, cherishing, and showing deep respect. It also includes practical support and care, particularly for aging parents. This active honoring transcends legalistic duty, embodying genuine regard for a parent's position and person.
• your father and mother (τόν πατέρα σου καί τήν μητέρα - ton patera sou kai tēn mētera): Explicitly includes both parents, affirming the equal respect and dignity owed to both the paternal and maternal figures. This broad inclusion guards against cultural tendencies that might elevate one parent's authority above the other.
• which is (ἥτις ἐστίν - hētis estin): This connective phrase acts as an explanatory interjection by Paul. It points back to the commandment just cited, providing an added theological emphasis and justification for its importance by highlighting a unique attribute within the Decalogue.
• the first commandment (ἐντολὴ πρώτη - entolē prōtē): This does not refer to numerical order in the Decalogue, where it is the fifth command. Instead, "first" is understood qualitatively: it is the first among the commandments concerning human-to-human relationships (commandments five through ten) that carries an explicit, distinct promise of blessing from God.
• with a promise (ἐν ἐπαγγελίᾳ - en epangelia): This critical phrase highlights the uniqueness of the fifth commandment. Unlike other commandments which might have implied blessings or general consequences, this one includes a clear, divinely guaranteed reward (long life and well-being, as expanded in Eph 6:3) explicitly linked to its observance. This emphasizes God's faithfulness to His word and His desire to bless those who live in alignment with His foundational moral order.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Honor your father and mother": This command, directly quoted from the Septuagint translation of Exodus 20:12, underlines the continuity of God's moral law across covenantal dispensations. "Honor" is comprehensive, moving beyond superficial obedience to encompass respect, appreciation, and lifelong practical support for parents, irrespective of the child's age or status. It reflects the fundamental order God established for human society, acknowledging the role of parents as agents of divine authority and instruction.
• "(which is the first commandment with a promise)": This parenthetical statement, inserted by Paul, draws specific attention to the distinctive nature of this commandment. By categorizing it as "the first... with a promise," Paul amplifies its significance and the special favor God bestows upon those who observe it. This highlights God's intrinsic desire to bless obedient children, thereby affirming a universal principle that honor toward parents yields lasting good and stability, reflecting God's commitment to ordered relationships and individual flourishing.

Ephesians 6 2 Bonus section

• Adult Children's Responsibility: While children are commanded to obey their parents in Eph 6:1, the command to "honor" extends throughout life. For adult children, "honor" evolves from obedience to respectful care, valuing their parents' wisdom and providing practical, financial, or emotional support as needed, embodying a lifelong deference and love. Jesus's condemnation of the "Corban" tradition (Mark 7:9-13) specifically targets adult children who shirk their financial responsibilities toward their parents, showing the depth of honor expected.
• The Nature of the Promise: The promise of "long life on the earth" (Eph 6:3) is not an absolute guarantee of escaping early death, nor does it necessarily denote merely a physical life span. Instead, it speaks to a quality of life characterized by well-being, stability, and God's favor. In the Old Testament context, it meant prosperity and security within the Promised Land; in the New Testament, for those "in Christ," it extends to a general flourishing and spiritual richness that transcends mere earthly years, bringing peace and stability to individual and community life. It underscores a principle: where generational respect is maintained, society tends to flourish.

Ephesians 6 2 Commentary

Ephesians 6:2 serves as a pivotal reinforcement of a foundational divine principle. It's more than an ethical suggestion; it's a divine imperative reiterated from the Decalogue. The honor commanded involves an inner attitude of reverence, an outward demonstration of respect, and practical actions of care and support. This applies not just to young children, who are commanded to obey, but extends into adulthood where children's responsibilities evolve to ensure the well-being of aging parents. Paul's unique annotation, "the first commandment with a promise," underscores God's explicit intention to bless and prosper those who uphold this order. While the Old Testament promise primarily referred to longevity in the promised land, its New Testament reassertion implies a broader, spiritual, and often tangible well-being for believers who practice filial piety, connecting family honor to the blessings of God in their lives. This command serves as a bedrock for societal stability and healthy family structures, demonstrating that proper human relationships, starting at home, reflect the order desired by God.