Ephesians 6:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

NIV: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

NASB: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

CSB: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right.

NLT: Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.

KJV: Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

NKJV: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Verses 1 through 3 offer a brief set of instructions for children. This verse offers a summary clearly written to children still living under the authority of their parents. The emphasis here is on godly obedience. This is not blind or mindless cooperation (Acts 5:39). Rather, this is submission grounded in a love for God.

For children to obey their parents is specifically referred to as "right." God often presents clear moral instructions in Scripture. Children obeying parents is one of these non-negotiable mandates. It should not be unusual to expect children to follow the instruction of their parents. Not only are the parents responsible for bringing the child into the world, they have a much better view of what is best for the child. Even when a parent's instructions are hard to understand, children do well to trust and obey. In this way, the parent-child dynamic is meant to be a powerful allegory for the relationship between each of us and God.

Here, Paul's command is given under the expectation that parents love and protect their children, and that children obey them until they are old enough to live independently.

Ephesians 6:1–4 gives instructions for children to obey their parents, and for parents to be careful in how they raise their children. Children who learn respect for proper authority will have a better chance at success in life. And, obedience to parents is the morally right way to behave. Parents, however, are to be careful not to antagonize their children. Instead of pushing them towards anger or frustration, Christian parents should give their children loving, God-centered teaching and discipline.

Paul gives specific instructions to children and fathers, stressing obedience and patience, respectively. He also directs servants to serve with sincerity and good intentions, as if they were working for Christ. Masters are warned not to be harsh: the same God who judges all will not give them preference over those they supervised. All Christians are called on to use the tools given us by God for surviving the attacks of the devil. These are imagined as pieces of a suit of armor. Paul ends this letter in his typical style, with prayer, blessings, and news about his plans.

Ephesians opens with three chapters of doctrine, followed by three chapters of practical application. This final chapter of Paul's letter focuses on specific ways Christians should live. It also summarizes the spiritual tools we are given by God, imagining them as a suit of armor. Paul pulls the same basic ideas from the rest of letter together, showing how Christians should live out their knowledge of what salvation in Christ really means.

Ephesians follows a theme common in Paul's writings: connecting theory with practice. In this book, however, he goes into greater depth before making the transition. As a letter meant to be read by more than just the believers at Ephesus, this is an important look at how Christian belief should translate into Christian action. The first three chapters lay out spiritual ideas, the last three chapters show how these truths should be applied in the life of a mature believer. Paul focuses heavily on love, the unity of the Christian church, and the incredible value of our salvation through Christ.