What does "that it may go well with you" mean for believers today? Setting the Phrase in Context “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment with a promise: “so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3; cf. Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16). Paul lifts the promise out of the Law and affirms it for every follower of Jesus. Original Promise to Israel • The phrase originally anchored Israel to covenant blessings in the land (Deuteronomy 6:3; 12:28). • “Go well” covered every sphere—family, crops, security, health, worship—under God’s kingship. How the New Testament Extends the Promise • Christ fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17), yet moral commands and their blessings remain relevant. • Paul broadens “the land” to “the earth,” signaling application wherever believers live (Ephesians 6:3). • The heart of the promise is relational—honor produces harmony, stability, and God’s favor within households and societies. What “Well” Looks Like for Believers Today • Quality of life, not merely length of days. • Wholeness—shalom—in relationships, vocation, church life, and personal growth (Psalm 128:1-2). • Enjoying God’s ordered goodness while awaiting the fullness in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:3-4). Practical Ways We Experience Things Going Well • Strong, respectful family ties that nurture faith across generations. • A clear conscience before God and people (Acts 24:16). • Guidance and protection through godly wisdom (Proverbs 3:1-2). • Credible witness: honoring authority adorns the gospel (Titus 2:9-10). • Spiritual fruitfulness—love, joy, peace—regardless of external circumstances (Galatians 5:22-23). • Community stability: societies marked by honoring parents and authority tend to thrive (Proverbs 14:34). Guardrails Against Misunderstanding • Not a mechanical guarantee of wealth or trouble-free living (John 16:33). • Suffering may still come, yet obedient believers find God works all things for their ultimate good (Romans 8:28). • The promise is covenantal: it flourishes in surrendered, Spirit-empowered lives. Living the Promise Out • Cultivate honor daily—speech, attitudes, and practical care for parents and all rightful authorities. • Teach and model honor to the next generation (Deuteronomy 6:7). • Trust God’s timing; He defines what “well” means and when it blossoms (Psalm 31:15). When we align with God’s command to honor, we step into His designed order, and life truly does “go well” in ways that echo now and resound into eternity. |
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