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Colossians 3:21

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Colossians 3:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.
Colossians 3:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Colossians 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.
21Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.
22Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:
23whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;
24knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.
← Colossians 3:20Colossians 3:22 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, etc.] (See Gill on “<490604>Ephesians 6:4”). lest they be discouraged; or disheartened and dispirited; their spirits be broke through grief and trouble, and they become indolent, sluggish, and unfit for business; or, despairing of having any share in the affections of their parents, disregard their commands, instructions, and corrections, and grow obdurate, stubborn, and rebellious.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Eph 6:4.) It is a different Greek verb, therefore translate here, "irritate not." By perpetual fault-finding "children" are "discouraged" or "disheartened." A broken-down spirit is fatal to youth [BENGEL].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Fathers, provoke not ... - Notes, Ephesians 6:4. Lest they be discouraged - Lest, by your continually finding fault with them, they should lose all courage, and despair of ever pleasing you. There is much sound sense and practical wisdom in this observation of the apostle. Children should not be flattered, but they should be encouraged. They should not be so praised as to make them vain and proud, but they should be commended when they do well. The desire of praise should not be the principle from which they should be taught to act, but they should feel that the approbation of parents is a desirable thing, and when they act so as to deserve that approbation, no injury is done them by their…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Lest they be discouraged - Which may occasion their turning either desperate or stupid. Colossians 3:22”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Psa 103:13; Pro 3:12, Pro 4:1-4; Eph 6:4; Th1 2:11; Heb 12:5-11 Colossians 3:22”
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Related study paths

Read Colossians 3 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification