Question 104

What doth God require in the fifth command?

That I show all honour, love, and fidelity, to my father and mother, and all in authority over me, and submit myself to their good instruction and correction with due obedience;^a and also patiently bear with their weaknesses and infirmities,^b since it pleases God to govern us by their hand.^c

1. a. Ephesians 6:1ff; Colossians 3:18, 20; Ephesians 5:22; Romans 1:31

   Ephesians 6:1–24

   ^6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. ^6:2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) ^6:3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. ^6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. ^6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; ^6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; ^6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: ^6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. ^6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. ^6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ^6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ^6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ^6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ^6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; ^6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ^6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ^6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: ^6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; ^6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, ^6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. ^6:21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: ^6:22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. ^6:23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ^6:24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. Written from Rome unto the Ephesians by Tychicus.

   ^6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ^6:2 "Honor your father and mother" (which is the first commandment with a promise), ^6:3 "that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth." ^6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ^6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. ^6:6 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. ^6:7 Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, ^6:8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. ^6:9 And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him. ^6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. ^6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil's schemes. ^6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ^6:13 Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. ^6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, ^6:15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. ^6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ^6:17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ^6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. ^6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, ^6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should. ^6:21 Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing. ^6:22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts. ^6:23 Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ^6:24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

   Colossians 3:18; Colossians 3:20

   ^3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. ^3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

   ^3:18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ^3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

   Ephesians 5:22

   ^5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

   ^5:22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.

   Romans 1:31

   ^1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

   ^1:31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

2. b. Proverbs 23:22

   Proverbs 23:22

   ^23:22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

   ^23:22 Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

3. c. Ephesians 6:5–6; Colossians 3:19, 21; Romans 13:1–8; Matthew 22:21

   Ephesians 6:5–6

   ^6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; ^6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

   ^6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. ^6:6 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.

   Colossians 3:19; Colossians 3:21

   ^3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. ^3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

   ^3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. ^3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.

   Romans 13:1–8

   ^13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. ^13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. ^13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: ^13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. ^13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. ^13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. ^13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. ^13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

   ^13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. ^13:2 Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ^13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ^13:4 For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God's servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. ^13:5 Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. ^13:6 This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God's servants, who devote themselves to their work. ^13:7 Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. ^13:8 Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

   Matthew 22:21

   ^22:21 They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

   ^22:21 "Caesar's," they answered. So Jesus told them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible