5685 fathers, responsibilities of

Fathers have a responsibility to love, instruct and discipline their children in the ways of the Lord. In return they are to be honoured and obeyed by their children.

The role of fathers

To love and care for their children Ps 103:13 See also Dt 1:31; Job 1:4-5; Mt 7:9-11 pp Lk 11:11-13; Col 3:21

To discipline their children Pr 13:24 See also Dt 8:5; Dt 21:18-21; Pr 3:11-12; Pr 15:5; Pr 19:18; Pr 22:15; Pr 23:13; Pr 29:15; 1Ti 3:2-5,12; Heb 12:7-11

To instruct their children Ps 78:2-8 See also Dt 4:9; Dt 6:6-7,20-24; Dt 11:18-21; Dt 31:13; Pr 13:1; Pr 22:6; Eph 6:4

The rights of fathers

To be honoured by their children Ex 20:12 pp Dt 5:16 See also Lev 19:3; Mt 15:4 pp Mk 7:10; Ex 21:17; Mt 19:17-19 pp Mk 10:18-19 pp Lk 18:19-20; Eph 6:2-3

To be obeyed by their children Col 3:20 See also Dt 21:18-21; Pr 6:20; Pr 8:32; Lk 2:51; Eph 6:1

To be heeded by their children Pr 23:22 See also Pr 1:8; Pr 4:1,10; Pr 13:1

The joy of fathers

Pr 23:24 See also Ps 127:3-5; Ps 128:3-4; Pr 10:1; Pr 28:7; Pr 29:3

The sorrow of fathers

Pr 17:21 See also Pr 10:1; Pr 17:25; Pr 19:13

The roles of fathers-in-law

Ge 29:21-23; Ge 31:39-42; Ex 3:1; Ex 18:14-27; Jdg 19:3-9; 1Sa 4:19-21; Jn 18:13

Children’s responsibility to honour their parents

Ex 20:12 pp Dt 5:16 “Honour” implies respect, obedience and care for the parents’needs. See also Lev 19:3; Mt 19:19 pp Mk 10:19 pp Lk 18:20; Eph 6:1-3

Penalties for disobeying parents

Ex 21:15,17; Dt 21:18-21; Pr 20:20; Mt 15:4-6; Mk 7:10-13

The ministry of Jesus Christ may produce conflict within families

Lk 12:53 pp Mt 10:35-36

Following Jesus Christ involves a commitment to him even deeper than love of one’s parents

Mt 10:37 See also Lk 14:26

See also