Ephesians 6:2

Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

Honour {G5091} thy {G4675} father {G3962} and {G2532} mother {G3384};(which {G3748} is {G2076} the first {G4413} commandment {G1785} with {G1722} promise {G1860};)

“Honor your father and mother” — this is the first commandment that embodies a promise —

“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise),

Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise),

Ephesians 6:2 serves as a foundational verse within Paul's practical instructions for Christian living, specifically addressing the conduct within the family unit. It directly quotes one of the Ten Commandments, emphasizing its enduring relevance for believers.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Paul's letter to the Ephesians (chapters 4-6) where he shifts from theological doctrine to practical application of Christian faith. After discussing the unity of the Spirit and walking in love, Paul provides specific guidance for various relationships within the Christian household: wives and husbands (Ephesians 5:22-33), and then children and parents. Verse 2 builds directly on the previous verse, where children are exhorted to obey their parents "in the Lord" (Ephesians 6:1), providing the divine basis for that obedience.

Key Themes

  • Filial Piety and Respect: The core command is to "honour thy father and mother." The Greek word for "honour," timáo (τιμάω), encompasses not just outward respect, but also valuing, esteeming, and potentially providing for one's parents. It speaks to a deep, reverential attitude that acknowledges their God-given authority and role in a child's life, regardless of age.
  • Divine Mandate: This is not merely a cultural suggestion but a direct commandment from God, originating in the Decalogue (Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16). Paul's inclusion of it here underscores its timeless and universal importance for all generations of believers.
  • Commandment with Promise: Paul highlights a unique aspect of this command: it is "the first commandment with promise." This parenthetical statement sets it apart from the other nine commandments, which typically carry warnings or consequences for disobedience. The promise associated with it is long life and prosperity, as further detailed in Ephesians 6:3. This promise reflects God's desire for order and blessing within families and society.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "first commandment with promise" is Paul's inspired commentary. While the first four commandments deal with one's relationship with God, and the remaining six with human relationships, this fifth commandment is the first of the human-focused commands to carry an explicit positive blessing. The word timáo (τιμάω) for "honour" is also used in other contexts for valuing something highly, like the worth of Christ or the reverence due to God, indicating the profound significance of this command.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ephesians 6:2 calls for a lifelong commitment to respecting and caring for parents. This includes:

  • Obedience in youth: For children, it means listening to and following parental instruction, recognizing their authority as delegated by God.
  • Respect in adulthood: Even as adults, honoring parents involves treating them with dignity, seeking their counsel (where appropriate), and providing care as they age.
  • Reflecting God's Order: A society where children honor parents tends to be more stable and blessed, reflecting God's design for family and community. It teaches humility, submission, and a recognition of authority, all crucial for a healthy spiritual walk.

This command is not conditional on parental perfection but is a divine directive that promises blessing to those who uphold it, reinforcing the importance of family bonds within the Christian faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • Deuteronomy 27:16

    Cursed [be] he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.

  • Matthew 15:4

    For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

  • Matthew 15:6

    And honour not his father or his mother, [he shall be free]. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

  • Proverbs 20:20

    ¶ Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

  • Malachi 1:6

    ¶ A son honoureth [his] father, and a servant his master: if then I [be] a father, where [is] mine honour? and if I [be] a master, where [is] my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

  • Mark 7:9

    And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
← Back