Topical Bible: Good Children: Obey Parents

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The concept of children obeying their parents is a fundamental principle found throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of family structure and the transmission of faith and values from one generation to the next. This principle is deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition and is seen as essential for maintaining order and harmony within the family and society at large.

Biblical Foundation

The command for children to obey their parents is explicitly stated in several key passages of Scripture. One of the most direct commands is found in the Ten Commandments, where honoring one's father and mother is enjoined: "Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land the LORD your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12). This commandment is unique among the Ten Commandments as it comes with a promise of longevity and prosperity.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reiterates this command in his letters to the early Christian communities. In Ephesians 6:1-3, Paul writes, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (which is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.'" Here, Paul not only reaffirms the commandment but also highlights its moral and spiritual significance, linking obedience to divine order and blessing.

Similarly, in Colossians 3:20, Paul instructs, "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord." This verse underscores the idea that obedience to parents is not merely a social duty but a spiritual act that pleases God.

Theological Significance

The call for children to obey their parents is deeply theological, reflecting the order and authority established by God. It mirrors the relationship between God and His people, where obedience is a response to divine authority and love. In the family unit, parents are seen as God's representatives, tasked with guiding and nurturing their children in the ways of the Lord.

Obedience to parents is also seen as a training ground for developing a life of faith and submission to God's will. It is through the family that children first learn about authority, love, discipline, and the consequences of their actions. This foundational experience is intended to prepare them for a life of obedience to God and respect for others.

Practical Implications

In practical terms, the obedience of children to their parents is essential for the smooth functioning of the family. It fosters an environment of respect, trust, and cooperation, which is crucial for the emotional and spiritual development of children. Parents, in turn, are called to exercise their authority with love, wisdom, and fairness, as Paul advises in Ephesians 6:4: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

The biblical mandate for children to obey their parents also serves as a countercultural witness in societies where authority and family structures may be challenged or devalued. It calls Christian families to model a way of life that honors God and reflects His order and purpose for humanity.

Challenges and Considerations

While the biblical command for children to obey their parents is clear, it is not without challenges. In situations where parents may be abusive or neglectful, the application of this command requires wisdom and discernment. The broader biblical context emphasizes the responsibility of parents to love and care for their children, creating a safe and nurturing environment where obedience can flourish.

Moreover, as children grow and mature, the nature of obedience evolves. While young children are expected to obey their parents' directives, older children and adults are called to honor their parents, which may involve seeking their counsel and respecting their wisdom, even as they make independent decisions.

In summary, the biblical teaching on children obeying their parents is a vital aspect of Christian family life, reflecting God's design for order, authority, and love within the home. It is a principle that carries profound theological and practical implications, shaping the character and faith of future generations.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 28:7
And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 47:30
But I will lie with my fathers, and you shall carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their burial plot. And he said, I will do as you have said.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Obedience to Parents
... Be not mealy-mouthed; say not, like foolish Eli, "Nay, my children, it is no good
report which I hear of you," instead ... "Children, obey your parents in all ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 96 on obedience to.htm

Whether one Can be Compelled by One's Father's Command to Marry?
... Further, if he were bound to obey, a betrothal contracted by the parents would hold
good without their children's consent. But this is against the law (cap. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether one can be compelled.htm

Christ's Boyhood
... you will only try to be such children as Jesus ... Obey your parents, and be subject
to them, as he ... forgiven you for Jesus' sake; your childish good conduct shall ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xix christs boyhood.htm

Luke xi. 25
... And so it is still; many are the faults which we have not; many are the good qualities
which we have ... The passages which direct children to obey their parents ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xv luke xi 25.htm

Whether one Ought to be Withdrawn from Entering Religion through ...
... as to stand in great need of their children's assistance, the ... says the Apostle
(Heb.12:9), than obey our parents ... of God; which is most conducive to man's good. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one ought to be 2.htm

Foundation of Moral Obligation.
... children affirm their obligation to obey their parents, entirely irrespective of
the obedience having any reference, or sustaining any relation, to the good of ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture v foundation of moral.htm

Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents
... bad for them, it must be bad, and when you say it is good for them, it must be good;
that your ... Parents, determine to make your children obey you, though ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xvi prov 22 6 the.htm

Obedience to Parents.
... were planted there by the hands of good and pious ... lead you to suspect that there
are children unnatural enough ... if you can make no sacrifice to obey or please ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xix obedience to parents.htm

From the Fourth to the Seventh Commandment
... the sinfulness of the act, then you must obey; because you ... Again, is it not sinful
for the children, especially of such ... as ready as he was to do good to another ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 33 from the fourth.htm

Ephesians vi. 3-Jan
... For whenever any matter has a good and sound and orderly principle and foundation,
everything will thenceforward go ... "Children," saith he, "obey your parents ...
/.../homily xxi ephesians vi 3-jan.htm