Ephesians 6:1 – Caveat

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Summary: In this passage, Paul makes us put on our thinking caps as we try to figure out what he means.

As we enter Chapter Six, Paul embarks on a new tack. Leaving the metaphorical waters of heads and bodies, he turns and sets his course to the wellbeing of children. Turning his attention directly to children, he says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” He then goes on to quote the fifth of the Ten Commandments.

As simple as this passage sounds, there is much to ponder here.

The original Ten Commandments were given to the children of Israel. These Commandments constitute the original Law given to Moses by God. People of other nations did not honor this law, but later, God made provisions in the Levitical laws for foreigners who loved God and chose to obey him. (Exodus 12: 48-49)

Is Paul putting children back under the law?

In his letter to the Romans, Paul writes that “we have been released from the law.” (Romans 7:6) Then, in Romans 3:31, he writes, “we uphold the law.” It appears that Paul is putting children under the Law, but I do not think this is what is happening. Consider Paul’s wording.

When he says, “Children, obey your parents…” he doesn’t say “because it is the Law.” Instead, he says, “for this is right.” Doesn’t doing what is right fit with the nature of love? It seems so in this case.

But there is another caveat in his statement I had not noticed before. Paul says, “obey your parents in the Lord.” What if a child’s parents are not in the Lord? Is the child off the hook when it comes to obedience? What if the parent tells the child to do what is morally wrong?

Sadly, some parents are like that.

I think this is why Paul adds his caveat. Obeying a parent who is “in the Lord” should be safe. Disobeying a parent who is not in the Lord might be necessary at times. However, my mind goes to what Paul writes about authority in Romans, Chapter thirteen. He says that God establishes all authority, which includes parents.

This is not an easy matter for adults to sort out, let alone kids. That said, there is one blessing in all of this. If a child who loves God feels the need to disobey a parent who is not in the Lord, there is not any burden of guilt on Paul’s account.

Application: We are all children. Obey your parents in the Lord.

Food for Thought: Why is it important for we who believe in Jesus to do what is right?