Ephesians 6:2

Ephesians 6:2

This verse cites the Fourth Commandment with a promise attached: honor your father and mother, the first commandment with a promise. In Paul’s usage, the commandment’s grounding remains in the Hebrew Bible, but he reinforces its relevance for Christian households. The promise—“that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth”—conveys a life-enhancing blessing attached to honoring parental authority within God’s design. The social setting valued family lineage and stability; honoring parents contributes to a stable community and faith transmission. Paul’s reiteration of timeless law within a grace-centered framework shows how the gospel extends God’s moral order into daily life, shaping relationships, longevity, and communal harmony.

The verse foregrounds the continuity between Old Testament law and New Covenant life. Honor is not a cultural relic but a principle that sustains social order and spiritual vitality. It also indicates the interconnectedness of generations in God’s plan: respect for elders, care for younger ones, and a multi-generational faithfulness that passes down wisdom. The promise emphasizes God’s benevolent intent toward families and communities when they align with his order.

In modern households, this means cultivating practices of respect—listening, valuing parental guidance, and expressing appreciation. For parents, model honor-worthy behavior: integrity, humility, and consistency in discipline. Teach children to honor not only parents but caregivers and elders in the community. In broader church life, honor extends to honoring mentors, teachers, and church leaders who shepherd with wisdom. A practical example: a family creates a “gratitude journal” naming daily reasons to honor parents and elders, paired with acts of service and prayer for them.

Cross-References: Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16; Proverbs 6:20-22; 1 Timothy 5:1-2; Colossians 3:20