Parents hold a special place in the Bible, with a focus on respect and honor. Today, we’ll see what scripture says about how we should treat our parents and why it matters to God. With these verses, we can grow closer to family.
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What Does The Bible Say About Your Parents
Ephesians 6:1
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”
This verse highlights the importance of honoring and obeying our parents as it is a righteous act. It emphasizes the role of children in submitting to the guidance and authority of their parents.
Proverbs 23:22
“Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”
This verse teaches us to respect and value our parents, specifically emphasizing that we should listen to our father and not despise our mother, especially when they are older. It reflects the importance of not neglecting our parents’ wisdom and care.
Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
This verse reminds children to obey their parents in all aspects of life as doing so brings pleasure to the Lord. It emphasizes the spiritual significance of honoring parental authority.
Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
God’s commandments include honoring our parents, and by doing so, we receive God’s blessings and experience a long and prosperous life. This verse serves as a reminder of the significance of showing respect and honor to our parents.
Proverbs 1:8-9
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.”
Here, we are encouraged to listen to our father’s instruction and not neglect our mother’s teaching. The wisdom and guidance we receive from our parents are like a beautiful garland and a precious adornment, enhancing our lives.
Proverbs 6:20
“My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”
This verse reiterates the importance of valuing our parents’ guidance and instruction. It encourages us to diligently follow our father’s command and not abandon the teachings of our mother.
Matthew 15:4
“For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.'”
Here, Jesus references the commandment to honor our parents, emphasizing its significance. He highlights the severe consequences for anyone who disregards or curses their parents.
Deuteronomy 5:16
“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
Similar to Exodus 20:12, this verse reminds us of the command to honor our parents, promising that by doing so, we can experience a blessed and fulfilling life in the land God has given us.
Proverbs 30:17
“The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.”
This verse serves as a warning against disrespecting and mocking our parents. It depicts the severe consequences that can come from dishonoring our father or scorning our aged mother.
Proverbs 13:1
“A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.”
Wisdom is demonstrated by a son who listens to his father’s instruction and accepts discipline. However, a mocker refuses to learn from rebukes, reflecting a lack of wisdom and respect.
Proverbs 23:24-25
“The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!”
This verse reveals the joy that comes to a father who has a righteous child and to a man who fathers a wise son. It expresses the longing for parental joy and the desire for parents to be joyful and proud of their children.
Proverbs 20:20
“If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.”
This verse warns against cursing or speaking ill of our parents. It portrays the extinguishing of one’s lamp in darkness to symbolize the consequences of disrespecting our parents.
Proverbs 15:5
“A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.”
This verse contrasts the actions of a fool who rejects a parent’s discipline and the wisdom displayed by someone who accepts correction. It emphasizes the importance of humility and openness to learning from our parents.
Ephesians 6:2-3
“Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—’so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
This verse reinforces the commandment to honor our parents and emphasizes that it is the first commandment with a promise attached to it. By honoring our parents, we can experience a good life and longevity on earth.
Proverbs 30:11
“There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.”
This verse highlights the negative attitude of those who curse their fathers and fail to bless their mothers. It draws attention to the need for gratitude and respect towards both parents.
Proverbs 10:1
“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.”
This verse portrays the contrasting emotions experienced by parents based on their children’s wisdom or foolishness. It underscores the impact children have on their parents’ joy or sorrow.
Proverbs 19:26
“Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace.”
This verse condemns the actions of a child who mistreats their parents, highlighting that they bring shame and disgrace upon themselves. It emphasizes the importance of treating our parents with love and respect.
Proverbs 23:22-25
“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction, and insight as well. The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.”
Here, we are reminded to listen to our father, who is the source of our life, and to not despise our mother, especially in her old age. We are encouraged to value wisdom, instruction, and insight, as they are invaluable assets. Additionally, the joy experienced by a father who has a righteous child and a man who fathers a wise son is highlighted.
1 Timothy 5:8
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This verse addresses the responsibility of caring for our own family, especially those within our household. It emphasizes the importance of providing for our relatives, highlighting that neglecting this duty is a denial of faith.
Proverbs 30:17
“The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley; it will be eaten by the vultures.”
Here, we are warned of the severe consequences of mocking our father or scorning our aged mother. This verse portrays the dire outcome awaiting those who disrespect their parents.
Proverbs 15:20
“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.”
This verse contrasts the impact of a wise son, who brings joy to his father, with that of a foolish man who despises his mother. It emphasizes the importance of valuing and respecting both parents.
Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
This verse highlights the significance of parental guidance in a child’s upbringing. It encourages parents to teach and guide their children in the right path, knowing that their influence can remain even when the child is older.
Matthew 19:19
“Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
This verse shows the connection between honoring our parents and loving our neighbors. It emphasizes the commandment to honor our parents while also reminding us of the importance of demonstrating love and kindness towards others.
Proverbs 20:7
“The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.”
This verse speaks of the influence of righteous parents on their children’s lives. It highlights the blessing that comes to the children of those who lead blameless lives, emphasizing the impact of parental righteousness on future generations.
Proverbs 23:24
“The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.”
This verse reflects the immense joy experienced by a father who has a righteous child and the gladness of a man who fathers a wise son. It emphasizes the profound delight and satisfaction that comes from raising children who walk in righteousness and wisdom.