What does Ephesians 6:3 mean?
Paul continues his reference to Exodus 20:12 here. Honoring one's parents included promises in two areas. For the Israelites, this commandment claimed obedience would cause it to "go well" with them. This is a general blessing rather than a specific one. The idea is that honoring parents is something God both commands and rewards. This blessing was originally given to Israel, yet the application of blessing upon those who honor their parents clearly extends to believers today, according to Paul's teaching in verses 1¬ through 3.Second, the Israelites were promised that they would "live long in the land." This particular promise is specific to Jews living under the Mosaic law. Christians have no "land" in the way the Jews did when the Ten Commandments were written. Instead, the Christian's obedience leads to heavenly rewards in a kingdom not of this world.
In a more general sense, it's easy to see how learning respect for legitimate authority, as opposed to learning rebellion, has a profound impact on a child's chances in life.
