The Bible is filled with examples of God’s guidance and intervention in family matters. The story of Ruth, a Moabite woman who became part of the lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ, demonstrates how God orchestrates family connections to fulfill His redemptive purposes.
Hence, it is unsurprising that in this passage under consideration, Paul emphasizes the significance of obedience, respect, and honour within the family.
Ephesians 6:1-3’s Key Message
The message of the first part of the passage is clear – children are to obey their parents in the Lord. These parents can either be their biological parents or elderly people in church or in society.
As Christians, the Bible serves as our guiding source, imparting wisdom on how to lead a righteous life. This particular passage encourages us to obey not only our biological parents but also those whom we hold in high regard as parental figures or mentors.
Obedience is a fundamental virtue that runs through the Bible. One prime example of obedience is found in the story of Isaac.
In Genesis 22, Abraham’s obedience to God in offering Isaac as a sacrifice illustrates the importance of submitting to authority, even when it’s challenging.
The second part of this passage emphasizes the importance of honouring one’s parents. This commandment is one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai. (Exodus 20 verse 12).
A notable story illustrating this commandment is the Prodigal Son (Luke 15 verses 11 to 32). Despite the son’s waywardness, his eventual return home and the father’s warm welcome highlight the significance of parental honour and forgiveness.
As believers, it is our divine duty to consistently honour our parents, as this aligns with God’s will for us. We demonstrate this honour by obediently following their guidance, providing for their needs to the best of our ability, and showing them the utmost respect in every aspect of our interactions.
The passage also reminds us that honoring our parents is the “first commandment with promise.” This promise is evident in the story of King Solomon, who received great wisdom and a long life as a reward for asking God for understanding to lead His people (1 Kings 3 verses 9 to 14).
On a deeper level, the parent-child relationship mirrors God’s relationship with His children. Just as we are called to obey and honour our earthly parents, we are also called to obey and honour our Heavenly Father.
This theme finds further reinforcement in the words of Jesus where He instructs us to wholeheartedly love the Lord our God and to extend that love to our neighbours as we do to ourselves.
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. ( Matthew 22 verses 37 to 38)
The passage promises that honouring our parents leads to well-being and longevity. This extends to a broader principle in Scripture: that living a righteous and obedient life brings blessings.
Our obedience and honour toward our parents serve as a testimony to our faith. When we honour our parents, we model Christ-like behavior for those around us. This is akin to being “salt and light” in the world, as Jesus urged in Matthew 5 verses 13 to 16.
Exploring the Events in Ephesians 6
Paul wrote the book of Ephesians while he was under house arrest, awaiting trial before the Roman Emperor. Ephesians is often considered one of the “Prison Epistles,” alongside Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon, as it was written during the period of captivity.
The primary reason for Paul’s writing of Ephesians was to address the spiritual needs and challenges faced by the Christian community in Ephesus.
Ephesus was a major city in the Roman province of Asia, known for its cultural diversity and the presence of various religious cults. The Christian believers in Ephesus were living in a society saturated with idol worship and moral decadence.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians aimed to strengthen the faith of these believers, provide them with a solid foundation in Christian doctrine, and offer guidance on living a life worthy of their calling in Christ which is the right thing and good thing for a good christian life.
In Ephesians 6 verses 1 to 3, Paul began the chapter by addressing the relationships within Christian households. He talked about child-parent relationship, the great duty of children, and the way parents should relate with their children including the young adults.
He encouraged christian children to obey their parents, citing the fifth commandment from the old testament.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. (Ephesians 6 verses 1 to 3)
Here, Paul emphasized the importance of obedience and respect within the family unit. By obeying their parents, children not only honour their earthly authority but also honour God.
His main idea is to give a foundational teaching for establishing harmony within a christian home and to enjoy a long and lasting family life.
Paul went further addressing the christian parents, he centres his message on the fathers. He advised them not to exasperate or provoke their children but rather to nurture them in the ways of the Lord.
This verse explains the responsibility of parents to raise their children in a godly manner, providing both discipline and spiritual guidance.
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6 verse 4)
Moving on, Paul also talked about the relationships between bondservants (slaves) and masters. In this section, Paul provided guidance to bondservants, urging them to serve their masters diligently and with sincerity, as if they were serving Christ Himself.
Paul also addressed masters, those who held authority over bondservants, saying:
And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. (Ephesians 6 verse 9)
He admonished masters to treat their servants with fairness and kindness, recognizing that they, too, are accountable to their heavenly Master. This verse explains the principle of equality in Christ, where social distinctions should not be a hindrance to Christian love and justice.
Ephesians 6 verses 10 to 17 introduces the famous metaphor of the “armor of God.” Paul encouraged believers to put on this spiritual armor to withstand the spiritual battles they face:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6 verses 10-11)
Paul briefly described the armour in verses 16 to 17,
“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.“
He concluded this powerful passage by emphasizing the role of prayer. Prayer is the key to effective spiritual warfare. Paul encouraged believers to be vigilant in prayer, not only for themselves but also for fellow believers and for proclamation of the gospel.
The spiritual significance of honoring our Parents
Beyond the immediate family context, honouring parents holds spiritual significance that extends into our relationship with God and the broader Christian community.
Obedience to our parents reflects our obedience to God. Just as children are called to submit to their parents’ authority, we are called to submit to God’s divine authority, as Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 exemplifies.
When God called Samuel, the young boy obediently responded, saying, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening (1 Samuel 3 verse 10). This signifies the attitude of humble obedience that we should have towards God.
Obedience is wholeheartedly saying ‘yes’ to God without reservation or doubt, irrespective of the circumstances. It is the act of surrendering to God’s authority, trusting that He possesses the ultimate wisdom, even when our understanding might perceive the action as insignificant.
Honoring both God and our parents is not merely a duty but also an expression of love. As believers, we know that love is a central theme in Christianity, with Jesus Himself emphasizing its importance in the greatest commandments
Similarly, the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a true example of love and honour. At the wedding in Cana (John 2 verses 1 to 11), Mary’s intercession with Jesus demonstrated her faith and respect for her Son, pointing us towards the love and respect we should have for our Heavenly Father.
Just as we honour our earthly parents, we should also honour our spiritual leaders and fellow believers. This concept is reinforced in passages like Hebrews 13 verse 17, which encourages us to obey and submit to spiritual leaders in the same way we obey our parents.
However, honouring parents does not mean blindly following their every command if it conflicts with our faith or conscience. Acts 5 verse 29 reminds us that we should obey God rather than men when there is a conflict of principles. In such cases, respectful communication and maintaining boundaries become essential.
Therefore, as we live through family dynamics and spiritual relationships, we must remember that our ultimate example is Jesus Christ. He perfectly obeyed His Heavenly Father, even unto death on the cross, and demonstrated boundless love and honor in His interactions with people.
Hence, let us embrace this message as a foundational principle for living out a Christ-like life. By doing so, we not only honour our earthly parents but also fulfill our calling to be obedient, loving, and unified members of God’s spiritual family. In this way, we become a shining light, reflecting God’s love to a world in need of His grace and truth.
The blessings of obedience
Obedience attracts the blessings of long life, inner peace, and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
The divine principle of obedience as a true way of working with God is evident in the life of Moses. God instructed Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, a monumental task with challenges.
Moses’ obedience to God’s command resulted in the miraculous parting of the Red Sea and the liberation of God’s chosen people. This event illustrates that obedience to God leads to blessings beyond human comprehension.
Beyond our relationship with God, the Bible emphasizes the importance of obedience to parents. Obedience to parents is not merely a matter of convenience but a divine command. It assures us that such obedience brings well-being and longevity.
However, it is also important to note that obedience extends beyond our immediate family to include our relationships with authority figures in society.
In Romans 13 verse 1, Apostle Paul instructs, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”
This verse explains the divine origin of authority and the importance of obeying governmental laws and leaders. It is imperative to recognize that obedience to earthly authorities is a reflection of our obedience to God’s divine order. However, obedience to God remains ultimate.
In the story of Daniel, when he was faced with a decree forbidding prayer to anyone except King Darius, Daniel continued to pray to God. His obedience to God, even in the face of potential danger, resulted in God’s protection, as Daniel was saved from the lions’ den.
Therefore, as faithful believers, it is imperative that we cultivate the discernment to distinguish between obedience rooted in God’s teachings and compliance with worldly influences. Embracing Godly obedience paves the path to blessings, whereas yielding to worldly obedience can lead us towards sin.
We must consistently reflect upon the question, Who do I prioritize in my obedience? Am I adhering to the shifting trends of the world or steadfastly following God’s guidance?
And ultimately, where does my reverence lie? Is it based on the opinions of worldly individuals or firmly grounded in my devotion to God?
Humility versus Pride
Humility is the fertile soil on which obedience blossoms.
There’s a great connection between obedience and humility. When we humbly submit ourselves to God’s will, we acknowledge our limitations and our reliance on His wisdom and guidance.
In Proverbs 3 verses 5 to 6, we are reminded thus: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
This verse explains that humility involves trusting God completely and seeking His guidance in all aspects of life. It is in this humble trust that we find the strength to obey His commands, knowing that His ways are higher than ours.
However, pride stands as a formidable adversary to obedience. When pride takes root in our hearts, it blinds us to our need for God’s guidance and authority. The Bible warns us in
Proverbs 16 verse 18 saying, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
A Biblical example of the perils of pride is found in the story of King Saul. Initially, Saul showed promise as a leader chosen by God, but his pride led to disobedience and ultimately his downfall.
He acted in his own wisdom, offering sacrifices when he was not authorized to do so and failing to completely follow God’s commands. Consequently, God rejected Saul as king, highlighting the tragic consequences of pride obstructing obedience.
Therefore, as Christians, let us wholeheartedly embrace obedience with humility and remain vigilant against the lurking snares of pride. In doing this, we open the gates for God’s blessings to pour upon us in abundance.
Conclusion
Embracing obedience to God, parents, and authority figures, whether within the church or in other aspects of our lives, leads us on a path of divine blessings.
Remember the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis? He obeyed God’s guidance and honored his earthly father, Jacob. Through obedience and trust, Joseph rose from a pit of despair to a position of great authority in Egypt. This story reminds us that obedience to both divine and earthly authority can lead to unforeseen blessings, even in the midst of trials.
Likewise, in the New Testament, we find the story of the Centurion in Matthew 8 verses 5 to 13. His humble obedience to Jesus’ command to “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you” resulted in the miraculous healing of his servant. This account teaches us that obedient faith in God’s authority can bring about incredible blessings and healing in our lives.
In this passage, we find an exhortation for children to honour their parents, emphasizing that such obedience is not only pleasing to the Lord but also carries a promise of a long and fulfilling life.
As parents or guardians, it is incumbent upon us to foster our children’s understanding of God’s ways and instill in them the importance of obedience. Importantly, this process begins with our actions, as children tend to emulate the behaviors and attitudes of the adults around them.
Summarily, obedience to God, parents, and authority figures, as exemplified in these Bible stories and teachings, opens the door to blessings that enrich our lives both spiritually and materially.
This is a word of wisdom to all our young people, our young children, and also to our adult children, to enjoy the good life that God has ordained for us, we must be obedient children who submit to the authority of their parents.
This is how we can build a good christian family relationship. Our younger children and older children must show good manners when being corrected. They should not be a rebellious son or a disobedient child that brings shame to their parents.
It is a path worth treading, for in it, we find favour in the eyes of the Lord and experience the abundant grace that flows from our obedience.