Ephesians 6:4

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Ephesians 6:2–6 · Berean Standard Bible

2 “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise),

3 “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

6 And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

Greek words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

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Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

Genesis 31:14

And Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we have any portion or inheritance left in our father’s house?

Genesis 31:15

Are we not regarded by him as outsiders? Not only has he sold us, but he has certainly squandered what was paid for us.

1 Samuel 20:30

Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the disgrace of the mother who bore you?

1 Samuel 20:31

For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingship shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!”

1 Samuel 20:32

“Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?”

1 Samuel 20:33

Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan to kill him; so Jonathan knew that his father was determined to kill David.

1 Samuel 20:34

Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger and did not eat any food that second day of the month, for he was grieved by his father’s shameful treatment of David.

Colossians 3:21

Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.

Genesis 18:19

For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”

Exodus 12:26

When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’

Exodus 12:27

you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.

Exodus 13:14

In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Exodus 13:15

And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’

Deuteronomy 4:9

Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.

Deuteronomy 6:7

And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 6:20

In the future, when your son asks, “What is the meaning of the decrees and statutes and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?”

Deuteronomy 6:21

then you are to tell him, “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.

Deuteronomy 6:22

Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his household.

Deuteronomy 6:23

But He brought us out from there to lead us in and give us the land that He had sworn to our fathers.

Deuteronomy 6:24

And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes and to fear the LORD our God, that we may always be prosperous and preserved, as we are to this day.

Deuteronomy 11:19

Teach them to your children, speaking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 11:20

Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates,

Deuteronomy 11:21

so that as long as the heavens are above the earth, your days and those of your children may be multiplied in the land that the LORD swore to give your fathers.

Joshua 4:6

to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’

Joshua 4:7

you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.”

Joshua 4:21

Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’

Joshua 4:22

you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’

Joshua 4:23

For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as He did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over.

Joshua 4:24

He did this so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and so that you may always fear the LORD your God.”

Joshua 24:15

But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”

1 Chronicles 22:10

He is the one who will build a house for My Name. He will be My son, and I will be his Father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’

1 Chronicles 22:11

Now, my son, may the LORD be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He said you would.

1 Chronicles 22:12

Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the LORD your God.

1 Chronicles 22:13

Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

1 Chronicles 28:9

As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

1 Chronicles 28:10

Consider now that the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it.”

1 Chronicles 28:20

David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you before all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.

1 Chronicles 29:19

And give my son Solomon a whole heart to keep and carry out all Your commandments, decrees, and statutes, and to build Your palace for which I have made provision.”

Psalms 71:17

O God, You have taught me from my youth, and to this day I proclaim Your marvelous deeds.

Psalms 71:18

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.

Psalms 78:4

We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed.

Psalms 78:5

For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children,

Psalms 78:6

that the coming generation would know them— even children yet to be born— to arise and tell their own children

Psalms 78:7

that they should put their confidence in God, not forgetting His works, but keeping His commandments.

Proverbs 4:1

Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.

Proverbs 4:2

For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive.

Proverbs 4:3

When I was a son to my father, tender and the only child of my mother,

Proverbs 4:4

he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.

Proverbs 19:18

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:15

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13

Do not withhold discipline from a child; although you strike him with a rod, he will not die.

Proverbs 23:14

Strike him with a rod, and you will deliver his soul from Sheol.

Proverbs 29:15

A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

Proverbs 29:17

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.

Isaiah 38:19

The living, only the living, can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness.

2 Timothy 1:5

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.

2 Timothy 3:15

From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:7

Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?

Hebrews 12:8

If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

Hebrews 12:9

Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?

Hebrews 12:10

Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.