Ephesians 6:4

Duties of Fathers

To facilitate the child's obedience, Paul commands fathers not to provoke their children to wrath. Discipline is an important part of the parent/child relationship (Hebrews 12:5-11). Yet, harsh discipline can cause a child to want to strike back. Also, being inconsistent in discipline, by laughing about something today and spanking for it tomorrow, can lead to outbursts of anger.

A child is not a piece of property or tool but a young man or woman needing molding and training (Proverbs 22:6). The word "training" is from the Greek paideia which includes the whole training and education of children," according to Thayer. "Admonition" is from nouthesia which would mean to admonish or exhort. Notice it is the "admonition of the Lord," which is a loving reproof or encouragement to do what is right. As in the verses in Hebrews listed above, God's correction is always given out of love for the one corrected with the purpose of yielding righteousness as its fruit. Our motivation needs to be the same as his.