Ephesians 6:1

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Ephesians 6:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Ephesians 6:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Ephesians 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, &c.] The persons whose duty this is, “children”, are such of every sex, male and female, and of every age, and of every state and condition; and though the true, legitimate, and immediate offspring of men may be chiefly respected, yet not exclusive of spurious children, and adopted ones, and of children-inlaw; and the persons to whom obedience from them is due, are not only real and immediate parents, both father and mother, but such who are in the room of parents, as step-fathers, step-mothers, guardians, nurses, &c. and all who are in the ascending line, as grandfathers, grandmothers, &c. to these, children should be subject and obedient in all…”
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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
“MUTUAL DUTIES OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN: MASTERS AND SERVANTS: OUR LIFE A WARFARE: THE SPIRITUAL ARMOUR NEEDED AGAINST SPIRITUAL FOES. CONCLUSION. (Eph. 6:1-24) obey--stronger than the expression as to wives, "submitting," or "being subject" (Eph 5:21). Obedience is more unreasoning and implicit; submission is the willing subjection of an inferior in point of order to one who has a right to command. in the Lord--Both parents and children being Christians "in the Lord," expresses the element in which the obedience is to take place, and the motive to obedience. In Col 3:20, it is, "Children, obey your parents in all things." This clause, "in the Lord," would suggest the due limitation of the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Children - τέκνα tekna This word usually signifies those who are young; but it is used here, evidently, to denote those who were under the care and government of their parents, or those who were not of age. Obey your parents - This is the first great duty which God has enjoined on children. It is, to do what their parents command them to do. The God of nature indicates that this is duty; for he has impressed it on the minds of all in every age; and the Author of revelation confirms it. It is particularly important: (1) Because the good order of a family, and hence of the community, depends on it; no community or family being prosperous where there is not due subordination in the household.…”
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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
“Children, obey your parents - In all things lawful. The will of the parent is a law to the child. In the Lord - For his sake. For this is right - Manifestly just and reasonable. Ephesians 6:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:1-4 The relationship between parents and children is to be a reflection of their devotion to the Lord. Christian children are to obey their parents, and Christian parents are to discipline their children gently (see Col 3:20-21).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“obey: Gen 28:7, Gen 37:13; Lev 19:3; Deu 21:18; Sa1 17:20; Est 2:20; Pro 1:8, Pro 6:20; Pro 23:22, Pro 30:11, Pro 30:17; Jer 35:14; Luk 2:51; Col 3:20-25 in: Eph 6:5, Eph 6:6; Rom 16:2; Co1 15:58; Col 3:16, Col 3:17, Col 3:23, Col 3:24; Pe1 2:13 for: Neh 9:13; Job 33:27; Psa 19:8, Psa 119:75, Psa 119:128; Hos 14:9; Rom 7:12, Rom 12:2; Ti1 5:4 Ephesians 6:2”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification