Monday, June 14, 2021
The apostle Paul describes how a father’s authority is to properly relate to children.
Ephesians 6:4 Father’s do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (NIV)
How does a father relate to his children? Children have a right to be treated properly . . . that does not mean they will not be angry at their parent’s restrictions or discipline . . . but it does mean parents need to carefully heed the way they treat their children. Albert Barnes wrote, “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.”
The Bible makes fathers primarily responsible for the outcome of their homes. Mothers may enforce policy, but fathers are to make the policy — but not as a tyrant. Someone has said either overindulging a child or treating them unnecessarily harshly will provoke a child to wrath. Firm, age-appropriate boundaries that allow children to make more of their own decisions as they grow — paves the way for them to live responsibly.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™