Ephesians 6:2

“Honor thy father and mother which is the first commandment with promise”

“Honor”: To revere, value, and prize. In the New Testament God always informs Christians which moral and ethical laws found in the Old Testament remain unchanged, including this one (Romans 13:8). This quotation is from Exodus 2:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16. In the context, "honor" is demonstrated by obedience (Ephesians 6:1). “The way to honor parents is to obey them” (Barclay p. 177). “Obedience properly springs from reverence and respect. It is thus to be the honor, not of weak emotion, but of practical loyalty” (Erdman p. 126). “The Lord does not desire reluctant obedience or grudging submission” (Caldwell p. 288). Such honor includes taking care of the material needs of our parents (Matthew 15:3; Mark 7:1). The vast majority of children eventually leave the "nest" and cleave to another (Ephesians 5:31), but Jesus pointed out that the obligation to "honor" one's parents never ends. While. am no longer under my parents "authority",. will never be released from the obligation to treat them with respect. Unfortunately, some young people try to convince us that while they are in rebellion to their parents, “they still do love them”. Such is. lie. Rebellious children are manifesting disrespect and contempt for their parents. Rebellious children during times of rebellion do not really care how much their parents are being hurt by their own foolishness. In the end, the most important person to the rebellious child, is him or herself (2 Timothy 3:2 “For men will be lovers of self---disobedient to parents”).

“Thy father and mother”: Honor, respect and obedience are to be rendered to both parents. “Which is the first commandment with promise”: “This is an important commandment with. promise” (Beck).

The above was not the first commandment to contain. promise (Exodus 2:5). In addition, all the commandments given had promises attached to them (Deuteronomy 4:40; Deuteronomy 5:33). Neither is the above the "foremost" or most important commandment ever given (Matthew 22:36). “Instead it seems that Paul is affirming strongly that the command to honor father and mother is ‘a' first, foremost, or primary commandment with promise attached. Children need to be impressed with the strong feelings of God related to this instruction” (Caldwell p. 290). God has no tolerance for youthful rebellion (Proverbs 30:17; Exodus 2:15; Leviticus 20:9; Deuteronomy 21:18; Romans 1:30). God does not view rebellion as, “They are just going through. stage”. “They cannot help themselves”. Or, “they are obviously not accountable for their actions and words because they are at the mercy of their hormones”. “With promise”: The promise is mentioned in Ephesians 6:3.

God is more than fair. Not only does He forgive sin, but He also blesses the former sinner who then chooses to obey. Every command of God has the same general type of promises attached to it such as obeying this command is in your best spiritual interest. This command is an expression of God's goodness and concern for your well being. This command isn't meaningless. This command makes sense. Or, this command is not too hard (1 John 5:3). God's true concern for our ultimate well being is found behind every command that He has ever given (Deuteronomy 4:40; Deuteronomy 6:24; 1 Peter 3:9). “If God's commands should be obeyed simply because God is sovereign, how much more should they be obeyed when there is personal reward to be realized?” (Boles p. 325).