Honour Your Father And Mother

As we read these verses, many may think this passage is only for children. But these verses speak to every one of us who has or has had parents. Please remember, this is not just a message for children in the home — it is a message for sons and daughters of every age.

Ephesians 6:1-2

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honour your father and mother”, which is the first commandment with a promise."

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to one of the most profound commandments in Scripture: “Honour your father and your mother.” At first glance, it may seem simple, almost self-evident—but as we reflect on it, we discover layers of meaning that touch not only our families but our communities, our society, and even our relationship with God.

As we explore this topic, let us open our hearts to see the deeper purpose behind this commandment, the blessings that come with living it, and how it shapes our own character and our walk with God.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honour your father and mother”, which is the first commandment with a promise.”

This is a passage that speaks directly into one of the most foundational relationships in human life — the relationship between children and parents. In a world that speaks of independence, self-expression, and personal rights, God’s Word reminds us that the home is one of the first places where we learn obedience, honour, humility, and love.

Home is the place where we are trained to be successful men and women. Home is the place where we are disciplined and broken for a fruitful life. That’s the place where we make mistakes and get corrected. Home is a small world where we see different persons with different character and attitudes. A person who is not trained at home will be a disaster outside.

In Ephesians 6:1–2, the Apostle Paul gives instruction that is simple enough for a child to understand, yet deep enough to shape an entire society:

‘Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honour your father and mother…’

As we read these verses, many may think this passage is only for children. But these verses speak to every one of us who has or has had parents.

For the young, God commands obedience.

For adults, God still commands honour. Whether our parents are strong or weak, present or absent, easy to love or difficult to understand, the Lord calls us to maintain a heart of honour.

This is a text taken from

“Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)

This passage reaches beyond childhood into every season of life. It challenges the way we treat our parents, care for them, provide for them, and value them. In a culture where family relationships are often strained or discarded, God reminds us that honouring father and mother still matters to Him.

Please remember, this is not just a message for children in the home — it is a message for sons and daughters of every age.

Our example in everything is our Lord. The Bible clearly states that the Lord Jesus has set Himself as an example for us to follow Him even in our physical life (1 Peter 2:21).

In John 13:15, Jesus said "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" (said after washing the disciples' feet).

We learn from Him.

A. Honouring Parents From the Example of our Lord Jesus

When we speak about honouring parents, there is no greater example than Jesus Himself.

This is astonishing because Jesus was not merely a prophet or teacher, He was the Son of God, the true God.

Yet the One who created heaven and earth still chose to honour earthly parents.

That alone should humble us.

Jesus demonstrated obedience to his parents, Mary and Joseph, by returning to Nazareth with them and remaining submissive, a key moment highlighted in Luke 2:51. Despite being the Son of God, he humbled himself under their authority as part of his earthly life. This voluntary submission continued into adulthood.

Just before He began His ministry, we see the Father from above was testifying the life of Jesus in the last 30 years.

Matthew 3:17 “And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

God, the Father, was testifying that He was well pleased in the life of Jesus for all those 30 years. His thoughts, intentions, speech, actions- nothing in any way contradicted the will of His Father.

The Bible says, He was tempted like us in every point, but He never sinned.

Hebrews 4:15- “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin”.

We live in a generation when children rebel with their parents.

This generation often celebrates rebellion.

They find a little pleasure in mocking parents and elderly but don't know what is waiting for them in the near future.

Disrespect is called freedom today.

he command to obey lasts while growing under parental authority.

But honour continues throughout life.

A grown adult may no longer need permission from parents for daily decisions, yet the Lord still commands honour to parents.

B. The Creator Submitted to Human Parents

Imagine this truth:

Jesus Christ created the world, yet He allowed Himself to be raised by Mary and Joseph.

The all-knowing Son of God still lived under authority in a human household.

Scripture says in Gospel of Luke 2:51:

“And he went down with them… and was subject unto them.”

That is powerful. The King of kings submitted Himself in humility.

In today’s culture, people think submission is weakness.

Jesus showed that submission under God is strength.

Our parents may not be as clever as we are. They may not be as educated as we are. But they are our parents. They have spent all their life time for us. They shared their wealth and savings for us.

They brought us up, provided for us, protected us and helped us to be settled down in our life.

As they grow old, they become an inconvenience and nuisance for some.

Your spouse won’t understand what your parents have sacrificed for you. It’s your duty to convince her or him, how much you care for them.

C. Jesus Honoured His parents Even When they misunderstood Him

There were moments when His family did not fully understand Him.

When Jesus remained in the temple at twelve years old, His parents were troubled and confused. Yet after that moment, Scripture still says He returned with them and remained obedient.

Jesus did not respond with pride. Instead, he walked in humility.

We see instances in the Scriptures when his own siblings misunderstood Him. The very brothers who became His disciples later (James & Jude) must have had troubled Him with others.

John 7:5 “For even his own brothers did not believe in him.”

Mark 3:21 “When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

But He never kept an account to retaliate, like we see in Genesis where Joseph forgave his brothers for all their wrongdoings.

D. Honour Is Not About Parents Being Perfect

Neither Mary, nor Joseph were perfect human beings. They were living in the Old Testament times. They had no Holy Spirit in them to guide them like we have.

Yet Jesus honoured them because He was more concerned about who put the authority over Him (God, His Father) than whose authority He was under.

We need to learn a big lesson here. Some of the believers are under the impression that their parents are not converted so they do not have to care for them. The Bible commands that we have to honour our father and mother. It doesn’t specify whether they need to be believers or unbelievers.

Some keep account of expenses they bear for their parents. How much would you pay them for the breast milk you had from your mother? How much would you pay them for the 9 months plus time your mother carried you in her womb? How much would you pay them, for the time they spent and the struggles they had gone through to bring you up?

Galatians 6:7

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”.

What we do to our parents, our children will do to us, not in the same measure but in many folds.

I heard people say of old parents, they deserve it. They had done so much bad to their parents and now they reap. I tell you, If you do the same thing- you will not escape- you will also reap what you sow.

E. Jesus Honoured His Mother Even at the Cross

One of the deepest examples of honour appears during the crucifixion.

While hanging on the cross in unbearable agony, Jesus looked at His mother and ensured she would be cared for.

In John 19, He entrusted her to John the Apostle.

Think about that.

Even while carrying the sins of the world, forsaken by God on the cross, in the midst of that unexplainable agony, Jesus still honoured His mother.

Pain did not remove honour from His heart.

That is spiritual maturity.

F. Jesus Also Set Boundaries With Wisdom

Honouring parents does not mean blind obedience in every situation forever.

Jesus remained faithful to the will of the Father above all else.

There were times He corrected misunderstanding and continued His mission even when others did not fully understand Him. He had clear boundaries when he became independent and left home

In John 2:4, we see at the wedding in Cana, “Jesus said to her, woman, what is that to you and to Me? My time has not yet come”.

This is something we need to understand. Honouring parents doesn't mean that you need to allow them to ride your family life when you get married.

You can seek their advice and guidance if you want but they have no right to interfere in your marriage.

If you have unconverted parents, do not allow them to interfere in your faith. You can tell them these things respectfully and politely. We must honour God above everyone else.

Even when relationships are difficult, believers are called to guard their spirit from bitterness.

So biblical honour is not slavery to human control.

It is carrying respect, dignity, and love while still obeying God first.