Fathers have a responsibility to love, instruct and discipline their children in the ways of the Lord. In return they are to be honoured and obeyed by their children.
The role of fathers
To love and care for their children
Psalm 103:13 See also Deuteronomy 1:31; Job 1:4–5; Matthew 7:9–11 parallel Luke 11:11–13; Colossians 3:21
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
To discipline their children
Proverbs 13:24 See also Deuteronomy 8:5, Deuteronomy 21:18–21; Proverbs 3:11–12, Proverbs 15:5, Proverbs 19:18, Proverbs 22:15, Proverbs 23:13, Proverbs 29:15; 1 Timothy 3:2–5, 1 Timothy 3:12; Hebrews 12:7–11
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.
To instruct their children
Psalm 78:2–8 See also Deuteronomy 4:9, Deuteronomy 6:6–7, Deuteronomy 6:20–24, Deuteronomy 11:18–21, Deuteronomy 31:13; Proverbs 13:1, Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning, that we have heard and known and our fathers have relayed to us. We will not hide them from their children but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has performed. For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the coming generation would know them— even children yet to be born— to arise and tell their own children that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments. Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
The rights of fathers
To be honoured by their children
Exodus 20:12 parallel Deuteronomy 5:16 See also Leviticus 19:3; Matthew 15:4 parallel Mark 7:10; Exodus 21:17; Matthew 19:17–19 parallels Mark 10:18–19, Luke 18:19–20; Ephesians 6:2–3
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
To be obeyed by their children
Colossians 3:20 See also Deuteronomy 21:18–21; Proverbs 6:20, Proverbs 8:32; Luke 2:51; Ephesians 6:1
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
To be heeded by their children
Proverbs 23:22 See also Proverbs 1:8, Proverbs 4:1, Proverbs 4:10, Proverbs 13:1
Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
The joy of fathers
Proverbs 23:24 See also Psalm 127:3–5, Psalm 128:3–4; Proverbs 10:1, Proverbs 28:7, Proverbs 29:3
The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice, and he who fathers a wise son will delight in him.
The sorrow of fathers
Proverbs 17:21 See also Proverbs 10:1, Proverbs 17:25, Proverbs 19:13
A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.
The roles of fathers-in-law
Genesis 29:21–23, Genesis 31:39–42; Exodus 3:1, Exodus 18:14–27; Judges 19:3–9; 1 Samuel 4:19–21; John 18:13
Children's responsibility to honour their parents
Exodus 20:12 parallel Deuteronomy 5:16 “Honour” implies respect, obedience and care for the parents' needs. See also Leviticus 19:3; Matthew 19:19 parallels Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20; Ephesians 6:1–3
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Penalties for disobeying parents
Exodus 21:15, Exodus 21:17; Deuteronomy 21:18–21; Proverbs 20:20; Matthew 15:4–6; Mark 7:10–13
The ministry of Jesus Christ may produce conflict within families
Luke 12:53 parallel Matthew 10:35–36
They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Following Jesus Christ involves a commitment to him even deeper than love of one's parents
Matthew 10:37 See also Luke 14:26
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.