Ephesians 6:3

That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

That {G2443} it may be {G1096} well {G2095} with thee {G4671}, and {G2532} thou mayest {G2071} live long {G3118} on {G1909} the earth {G1093}.

“so that it may go well with you, and you may live long in the Land.”

“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Commentary on Ephesians 6:3 (KJV)

Ephesians 6:3 is the concluding part of Paul's instruction to children within his broader counsel on household relationships. This verse provides the specific promise associated with the command to honor parents, directly quoting and emphasizing a foundational principle from the Old Testament.

Context

This verse immediately follows Ephesians 6:1-2, where Paul exhorts children to "obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right" and "Honour thy father and mother." Verse 3 then presents the divine incentive for such obedience and honor. Paul draws directly from the Fifth Commandment of the Decalogue, making it clear that the principles of God's moral law are not abrogated but affirmed and applied within the New Testament context of Christian living. By integrating this commandment, Paul underscores the continuity of God's moral expectations across covenants, particularly concerning family order.

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Honor: The verse highlights the importance of children showing respect and deference to their parents, not merely out of duty but as a righteous act "in the Lord."
  • Divine Promise: God attaches a specific blessing to this commandment—well-being and longevity. This emphasizes that there are tangible benefits, both spiritual and temporal, to living according to God's design for family.
  • Well-being and Longevity: The promise "That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth" signifies a blessed life characterized by peace, prosperity, and extended days. While not a literal guarantee for every individual, it represents a general principle that living in harmony with God's order tends to lead to a more stable and fulfilling life.
  • Covenant Continuity: Paul's direct quotation of an Old Testament commandment demonstrates how God's moral law remains relevant and foundational for Christian ethics. It's the "first commandment with promise" (Ephesians 6:2), signifying its unique emphasis on blessing.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "That it may be well with thee" is hina eu soi genetai, and "thou mayest live long on the earth" is kai esē makrochronios epi tēs gēs. These phrases are direct and faithful translations of the Hebrew promise found in Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16. The term makrochronios literally means "long-lived" or "of long time," reinforcing the idea of an extended, blessed life. Paul's use of this Old Testament promise underscores the enduring nature of God's principles and the blessings associated with them.

Practical Application

Ephesians 6:3 encourages us to recognize the profound importance of honoring parental authority as a cornerstone of a stable society and a blessed life. For children, it's a clear call to obedience and respect. For parents, it highlights the significance of their role and the divine blessing attached to a well-ordered family. More broadly, the verse teaches that living in alignment with God's commands, particularly those concerning fundamental relationships, often leads to a life of greater peace, stability, and flourishing. It is a principle that contributes to overall well-being and stability in Christian living, reflecting God's desire for human flourishing when His ways are followed.

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.
  • Deuteronomy 5:16

    Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
  • Deuteronomy 4:40

    Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong [thy] days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.
  • Deuteronomy 12:28

    Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest [that which is] good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.
  • Deuteronomy 12:25

    Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do [that which is] right in the sight of the LORD.
  • Deuteronomy 6:3

    Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do [it]; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
  • Psalms 128:1

    ¶ A Song of degrees. Blessed [is] every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
  • Psalms 128:2

    For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy [shalt] thou [be], and [it shall be] well with thee.

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