Colossians 3:20
New International Version
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

New Living Translation
Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.

English Standard Version
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Berean Standard Bible
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Berean Literal Bible
Children, obey the parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.

King James Bible
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

New King James Version
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

New American Standard Bible
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

NASB 1995
Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

NASB 1977
Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

Legacy Standard Bible
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Amplified Bible
Children, obey your parents [as God’s representatives] in all things, for this [attitude of respect and obedience] is well-pleasing to the Lord [and will bring you God’s promised blessings].

Christian Standard Bible
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

American Standard Version
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.

Contemporary English Version
Children must always obey their parents. This pleases the Lord.

English Revised Version
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Children, always obey your parents. This is pleasing to the Lord.

Good News Translation
Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents always, for that is what pleases God.

International Standard Version
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Majority Standard Bible
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

NET Bible
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord.

New Heart English Bible
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.

Webster's Bible Translation
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

Weymouth New Testament
Children be obedient to your parents in everything; for that is right for Christians.

World English Bible
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
the children: obey the parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the LORD;

Berean Literal Bible
Children, obey the parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation
the children! obey the parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord;

Smith's Literal Translation
Children, listen to parents in all things: for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Children, obey your parents in all things. For this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

New American Bible
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

New Revised Standard Version
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto our LORD.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Children, obey your parents in all things, for thus it is pleasing before Our Lord.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

Godbey New Testament
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.

Haweis New Testament
Children, be obedient to your parents in all things; for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.

Mace New Testament
children, obey your parents upon all occasions, for that is graceful in a christian.

Weymouth New Testament
Children be obedient to your parents in everything; for that is right for Christians.

Worrell New Testament
Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing in the Lord.

Worsley New Testament
Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well-pleasing to the Lord:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Christian Households
19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. 21Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.…

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

Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 5:16
Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Proverbs 6:20
My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

Proverbs 23:22
Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Matthew 15:4
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

Mark 7:10
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

Luke 18:20
You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’”

Proverbs 1:8
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.

Proverbs 30:17
As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.

1 Timothy 5:4
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

Genesis 28:7
and that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and gone to Paddan-aram.

Leviticus 19:3
Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must keep My Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21
If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined, / his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown, / and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” ...

1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.


Treasury of Scripture

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

obey.

Genesis 28:7
And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;

Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Leviticus 19:3
Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.

in.

Colossians 3:22
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

Ephesians 5:24
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Titus 2:9
Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

well pleasing.

Colossians 1:10
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Philippians 4:18
But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

Hebrews 13:21
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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Colossians 3
1. He shows where we should seek Christ.
5. He exhorts to holiness;
10. to put off the old self, and put on Christ;
12. exhorting to charity, humility,
18. and other duties.














Children,
The term "children" refers to young members of a family, emphasizing their role within the household. In the biblical context, children were considered a blessing from God (Psalm 127:3-5). The family unit was central to Jewish and early Christian communities, serving as the primary context for religious and moral education.

obey your parents
Obedience to parents is a fundamental principle rooted in the Ten Commandments, specifically the fifth commandment: "Honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12). This commandment is reiterated in the New Testament (Ephesians 6:1-3), highlighting its continued importance. Obedience is seen as a reflection of one's respect for authority and God's ordained order within the family.

in everything,
The phrase "in everything" underscores the comprehensive nature of the obedience expected from children. It implies a broad scope, covering all aspects of life, unless it contradicts God's commands (Acts 5:29). This reflects the cultural context of the time, where family hierarchy was respected, and parents were seen as the primary guides for their children's spiritual and moral development.

for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Obedience to parents is not only a social expectation but also a spiritual act that pleases God. This aligns with the biblical principle that actions reflecting God's order and righteousness are pleasing to Him (Proverbs 15:8). The phrase emphasizes the connection between earthly relationships and divine approval, encouraging children to view their obedience as part of their service to God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Colossians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.

2. The Church at Colossae
A Christian community in the ancient city of Colossae, located in modern-day Turkey. Paul wrote to them to address various theological and practical issues.

3. Children
The direct recipients of this instruction within the family unit, highlighting the importance of family relationships in Christian living.

4. Parents
The authority figures in the family whom children are instructed to obey, reflecting the biblical structure of family order.

5. The Lord
Referring to Jesus Christ, whose teachings and example are the foundation for Christian behavior and ethics.
Teaching Points
Obedience as a Reflection of Faith
Obedience to parents is not just a social expectation but a spiritual act that reflects one's faith and commitment to God's order.

The Role of Parents in Spiritual Formation
Parents are entrusted with the responsibility of guiding their children in the ways of the Lord, making obedience a pathway to spiritual growth.

Pleasing the Lord through Family Dynamics
The family is a primary context for living out Christian values, and obedience within the family pleases God and strengthens the community.

The Importance of Contextual Obedience
While obedience is crucial, it must be understood within the context of godly and loving parental guidance, aligning with biblical principles.

The Broader Impact of Obedience
Obedience to parents can lead to a harmonious family life, which serves as a testimony to others of God's design for relationships.Verse 20. - To children, be obedient to your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing in the Lord (Ephesians 6:1, 2; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16; Leviticus 19:3; Proverbs 23:22; Luke 2:51, 52). In Ephesians 6:1, 2 "in all things" (κατὰ πάντα, "in regard to all things") is wanting; and not the extent, but the intrinsic rightness of the command as it is found in the Decalogue is insisted on. But here, where "Christ is all and in all" (ver. 11), it is "in the Lord" (Revised Text) that the child's obedience is declared to be "well pleasing." There is something especially pleasing in the behaviour of a lovingly obedient child, that wins "favour" both "with God and man" (Luke 2:52). The law of filial obedience has its creative ground "in him" (Colossians 1:16), and is an essential part of the Christian order of life, which is the natural order restored and perfected. "Well pleasing" is a favourite word of St. Paul's (comp. Colossians 1:10; Ephesians 5:10; Philippians 4:8; Romans 14:18; Titus 2:9, etc.; used also in Hebrews).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Children,
τέκνα (tekna)
Noun - Vocative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.

obey
ὑπακούετε (hypakouete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5219: From hupo and akouo; to hear under, i.e. To listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority.

[your]
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

parents
γονεῦσιν (goneusin)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1118: A begetter, father; plur: parents. From the base of ginomai; a parent.

in
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

everything,
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

for
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

this
τοῦτο (touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

pleasing
εὐάρεστόν (euareston)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2101: Acceptable, well-pleasing (especially to God), grateful. From eu and arestos; fully agreeable.

to
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] Lord.
Κυρίῳ (Kyriō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.


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NT Letters: Colossians 3:20 Children obey your parents in all things (Coloss. Col Co)
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