Ephesians 6:1

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right”

“Children”: Since Paul addresses children as well as parents, we infer that the first century church was also composed of whole families. The word here children obviously refers to children who are old enough to understand the concept of obey. We should remind young people that they are accountable to God also. God in His word has spoken specifically to children (Ecclesiastes 2:1; Psalms 148:12). “The family is the nucleus of all society. You can have no prosperous state unless the family is healthy. You can have no effective church unless the family is sound. The family is the organic cell from which all human societies are constructed” (Coffman p. 215). In these first four verses we find the "cure" to many of the ills of society. Poverty, crime, certain diseases, and so on, can all be linked with. breakdown of the family unit. “Obey”: To listen attentively, to heed or conform. “Lit., the word means ‘to hear under authority'” (Caldwell pp. 286-287). “Readiness to hearken to one” (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 375). It “describes. ‘readiness to hear'; the ‘listening ear of unhesitating attention'; not only obedience in action, but. willingness to heed counsel, to weigh words of advice, and then gladly to shape one's course under the accepted guidance of more mature minds” (Erdman p. 125).

Yet grudging obedience does not even count before God (Ephesians 6:6-7). We need to remind young people that they need to obey their parents in the right spirit and attitude, because God reads the heart and not merely outward actions (Hebrews 4:12; 1 Samuel 2:7). “His teaching is always rationally argued. As with the wife's submission, so with the child's obedience, He builds His instruction on. carefully laid foundation” (Stott p. 238). Of course, this command would also apply to children who have non-Christian parents. Because "disobedience to parents" is. sin committed among non-Christians as well (Romans 1:30). Disobedience to parents is not. mark of "enlightenment" or personal growth rather God considers such. mark of moral failure and selfish arrogance. Seriously consider the "sins" placed in the same company with this sin (Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2). The argument offered by the feminists that the husband is no longer the "head" of his wife finds itself forced to conclude that children are no longer required to obey or honor their parents. The sad fact is, that in many families this has happened and is even accepted by the parents. When the husband is removed from his position of "headship", it is difficult for the wife to hold on to her "authority" over the children. Listen ladies, in undermining the authority of your husband, you are inherently undermining your own authority in the home.

“In the Lord”: “Paul's emphasis is that when children give obedience to their parents, they are acting in the will of the Lord” (Boles p. 324).

“Paul does not mean that they should obey only if their parents are Christian” (Boles p. 323). As with husbands, wives, servants and masters, children are told that such obedience to parents is simply an extension of their obedience to the Lord. The person they are really obeying is the Lord Jesus Christ, and that is why God takes so seriously disobedience to parents. In essence, rebellious children are defying the God of heaven (Ephesians 5:22 “as to the Lord”; Ephesians 5:25 “just as Christ”; 'Ephesians 6:5 “as to Christ”; Ephesians 6:9.) As with all other human relationships, God does not expect obedience, if such obedience would result in sin (Acts 5:29). Young people often ask, “But what can. do for God?” “How can. help the church or the cause of Christ?” God says, “You can assist Me greatly by being obedient and respectful to your parents”. Accountable children often fail to realize that their bad example can turn people off from the truth.. stand amazed that some young people will invite their friends to Bible study and yet they themselves are unprepared for class and even do things that undermine the success of the class and the efforts of the teacher. What are such young people thinking? “Let's invite our best friend to church, so we can show them how disrespectful we are?”

“For this is right”: “The right thing for you to do” (Phi). Paul first appeals to what some might call that sense of "right" or "justice" that is common to all mankind. “It is not confined to Christian ethics; it is standard behavior in every society. Pagan moralists, both Greek and Roman, taught it. Stoic philosophers saw. son's obedience as self-evident. plainly required by reason. Much earlier,in oriental culture, one of the greatest emphases of Confucius was on filial respect, so that still today, though centuries later, Chinese, Korean and Japanese customs continue to reflect his influence. Indeed, virtually all civilizations have regarded the recognition of parental authority as indispensable to. stable society. We experience no sense of surprise. therefore, when Paul includes ‘disobedient to parents' as. mark both of. decadent society which God has given up to its own godlessness” (Romans 1:28) (Stott p. 239).

“There will never be. time when it is right for children to disregard, dishonor, and disobey their parents” (Coffman p. 215). Yet such is only "right" because God exists. "Right" and "wrong" only have meaning in. universe that God created. Rebellion to parents is the violation of the obvious facts. Caldwell points out, “Nature should call for gratitude and attachment from children, not rebellion and impatience. Most parents have sacrificed so much for their children and given much. Even the instruction and restraint which are so often resented by children represent time, effort, and thoughtful concern. Most of the time, the easy way out would be to allow the children to do as they wish with parents going on their way without having to be bothered” (pp. 287-288). Thus, rebellion to parents is. huge manifestation of complete ingratitude on the part of the child, because for. child to turn on the two individuals who have sacrificed and selflessly tried to give that child everything they need to mature in all areas, is plain and simple arrogance and ingratitude. Yes, such. youth deserved to be killed (Exodus 2:15; Exodus 2:17), and such. sin is deserving of an eternal hell (Romans 1:30).