Ephesians Chapter 6, Verse 4
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4: και οι πατερες μη παροργιζετε τα τεκνα υμων αλλ εκτρεφετε αυτα εν παιδεια και νουθεσια κυριου
4: And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring
them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
4: And you, fathers, provoke not your children to anger: but bring
them up in the discipline and correction of the Lord.
And ye fathers. A command addressed particularly to fathers because they are at the head of the family, and its government is especially committed to them. The object of the apostle here is, to show parents that their commands should be such that they can be easily obeyed, or such as are entirely reasonable and proper. If children are required to obey, it is but reasonable that the commands of the parent should be such that they can be obeyed, or such that the child shall not be discouraged in his attempt to obey. This statement is in accordance with what he had said Eph 5:22ff of the relation of husband and wife. It was the duty of the wife to obey -- but it was the corresponding duty of the husband to manifest such a character that it would be pleasant to yield obedience -- so to love her, that his known wish would be law to her. In like manner it is the duty of children to obey a parent; but it is the duty of a parent to exhibit such a character, and to maintain such a government, that it would be proper for the child to obey; to command nothing that is unreasonable or improper, but to train up his children in the ways of virtue and pure religion.
Provoke not your children to wrath. That is, by unreasonable commands; by needless severity; by the manifestation of anger. So govern them, and so punish them -- if punishment is necessary -- that they shall not lose their confidence in you, but shall love you. The apostle here has hit on the very danger to which parents are most exposed in the government of their children. It is that of souring their temper; of making them feel that the parent is under the influence of anger, and that it is right for them to be so too.
But bring them up. Place them under such discipline and instruction that they shall become acquainted with the Lord.
In the nurture, en paideia. The word here used means, training of a child; hence education, instruction, discipline. Here it means that they are to train up their children in such a manner as the Lord approves; that is, they are to educate them for virtue and religion.
And admonition. The word here used -- nouyesia -- means, literally, a putting in mind; then warning, admonition, instruction. The sense here is, that they were to put them in mind of the Lord -- of his existence, perfections, law, and claims on their hearts and lives. This command is positive, and is in accordance with all the requirements of the Bible on the subject. No one can doubt that the Bible enjoins on parents the duty of endeavouring to train up their children in the ways of religion, and of making it the grand purpose of this life to prepare them for heaven. It has been often objected that children should be left on religious subjects to form their own opinions when they are able to judge for themselves. Infidels and irreligious men always oppose or neglect the duty here enjoined; and the plea commonly is, that to teach religion to children is to make them prejudiced; to destroy their independence of mind; and to prevent their judging as impartially on so important a subject as they ought to.
- "nurture" "instruction"
