Skip to content

Add your phone number?

Optional. Nothing is sent unless you choose it.

The Historic Faith
Sign in

Is there anywhere in the Bible where it says to obey our parents for life?

Started by Noah Hostetler
June 18, 2026
5 replies
218 views
#1
I find in Ephesians 6 where it says children obey your parents in the Lord. Then it says honor your parents for life I would like an explanation how that looks. And also would like to know if we can read somewhere else where it says obey your parents for life

Replies (5)

#2
Hi so from what I understand the Greek word for Honor τιμά (strong’s 5091) and the Greek word Obey υπακουετε (strong’s 5219) have different meanings. I hope this helps. I realize I did not directly address your question but I believe it would help bring clarity of this issue. Having been studying Greek for a number of years I would love to further explain but I am running out of time on this current response. God bless you
#3
David Bercot has a message here, which is all about that, free, here: https://scrollpublishing.com/products/audio-5-ways-to-honor-your-parents/
#4
Thinking again on this, I should say more. Since there's never any implication that this is just a command for young people, I would take it that it applies for life, and even beyond. My parents have passed, and I still consider that I need to honor them in what I remember about them and say about them.
#5
I guess I shall share more at this time as well. The Greek word τιμά (tima G5091) means to value, honor, and reverence. Here is the meaning given by Strong’s Greek dictionary. timao (tim-ah'-o) v. 1. to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon 2. (by implication) to revere. I have shared this from the strong’s Greek dictionary which is available here on historic faith website. To find this Strong’s Greek dictionary, simply go to your dashboard and scroll down. I simply copied and pasted. I hope I have shared due respect for the publisher. Anyways I shall continue. I guess I want to clear an issue that you may have misinterpreted in Ephesians 6 I am sharing from the ASV Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. —We are commanded to honor our father and mother. I realize he just got finished telling children to obey their parents in the lord. I realize it could be easy to lump these sentences together. However I have a question for you? Are you a child, or are you a grown man? If you are a child, yes you should, most definitely obey your parents. However if you are a grown up well I guess you can make the decision whether this verse still applies. I personally am not a child I am 30 years old and I do not think it is necessary to do everything my parents say, but I believe I do need to honor my parents for the rest of my life. Alright let’s return to the Greek word τιμά as I have already shared it means to honor, respect, and value. Alright have you ever tried to sell a possession and have been low balled, or in other words been told what you possess is not worth much. There is a chance you may have experienced a let down or disgrace. It may hurt you but if your possession happened to have feelings and understood what was being said it may have experienced disgrace as well. Perhaps at this point you may be thinking “Where is this guy going???” Welcome to another language. Welcome to Koine Greek. Matthew 13:45-46 from the ASV Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls: and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. The Greek word translated here as “price” is essentially the same Greek word often translated as “honor.” I guess I will close at this time. I would advise you to listen to David Bercot’s sermon on the subject of honoring our parents. I understand your confusion. It is a difficult transition regarding childhood to adulthood especially if your parents are dogmatic and demanding or perhaps even ugly to you during your young adult years. But by God’s grace all things are possible.
#6
There is one more issue that I would like to address concerning Ephesians 6. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. —In my opinion. This is a promise of blessings. It is not a life long drudgery

Join the Conversation

Create a free account or log in to post and reply.

Confirm Delete

Are you sure you want to delete this post? This action cannot be undone.