Ephesians 6:1

Τὰ τέκνα, ὑπακούετε. The Gospel from the first had a message for children: the different order in which the classes are treated causes the omission of any special mention of children in 1 Pet. In the case of children and servants ‘submission’ takes the form of ‘obedience’ because authority expresses itself naturally in the form of specific command.

ἐν κυρίῳ. Cf. Luke 2:51. This qualifies ὑπακούετε not τοῖς γονεῦσιν ὑμῶν. ‘Obedience’ is characteristic of the Lord and can best be learned and practised in communion with Him. Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:8 f. Is it impossible that St Paul could have been familiar with the tradition of the Childhood? Cf. also John 4:34, etc.

τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν δίκαιον. In Col. εὐάρεστον takes the place of δίκαιον bringing out the reward of obedience in the approval both of men and God. δίκαιον suggests rather ‘fulfilment of obligation, ‘fitness’ in relation to an eternal order. Only in a mind nurtured on O.T. the eternal order is regarded habitually as the expression of the Divine Will.