Ephesians 6:4

Amplified Bible

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Fathers, don't make your children angry, but raise them with the kind of teaching and training you learn from the Lord.

Revised Standard Version
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And ye fathers move not youre children to wrath: but bringe the vp wt the norter and informacio of ye Lorde.

Hebrew Names Version
You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

New American Standard Bible
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

New Century Version
Fathers, do not make your children angry, but raise them with the training and teaching of the Lord.

Update Bible Version
And, you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.

Webster's Bible Translation
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

English Standard Version
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

World English Bible
You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the instruction and discipline of the Lord.

Weymouth's New Testament
And you, fathers, do not irritate your children, but bring them up tenderly with true Christian training and advice.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And, fadris, nyle ye terre youre sones to wraththe; but nurische ye hem in the teching and chastising of the Lord.

English Revised Version
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.

Berean Standard Bible
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Contemporary English Version
Parents, don't be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord.

American Standard Version
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.

Bible in Basic English
And, you fathers, do not make your children angry: but give them training in the teaching and fear of the Lord.

Complete Jewish Bible
Fathers, don't irritate your children and make them resentful; instead, raise them with the Lord's kind of discipline and guidance.

Darby Translation
And [ye] fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in [the] discipline and admonition of [the] Lord.

International Standard Version
Fathers, do not make your children angry, but bring them up in the trainingdiscipline">[fn] and instruction of the Lord.Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 4:9; 11:19; Psalm 78:4; Proverbs 19:18; 22:6; 29:17; Colossians 3:21;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
Parents, make not your children angry, but make them to grow in the discipline and in the doctrine of our Lord.

Murdock Translation
And parents, anger not your children; but train them up in the discipline and doctrine of our Lord.

King James Version (1611)
And yee fathers, prouoke not your children to wrath: but bring them vp in the nourture and admonition of the Lord.

New Living Translation
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

New Life Bible
Fathers, do not be too hard on your children so they will become angry. Teach them in their growing years with Christian teaching.

New Revised Standard
And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And ye, fathers, prouoke not your children to wrath: but bring them vp in instruction and information of the Lord.

George Lamsa Translation
And parents, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and teaching of our LORD.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And ye fathers, be not provoking your children to anger, but be nourishing them up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And you, fathers, provoke not your children to anger: but bring them up in the discipline and correction of the Lord.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Fathers prouoke not your children to wrath: but bring them vp in instruction and information of the Lorde.

Good News Translation
Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry. Instead, raise them with Christian discipline and instruction.

Christian Standard Bible®
Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

King James Version
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Lexham English Bible
And fathers, do not make your children angry, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Literal Translation
And fathers, do not provoke your children, but nurture them in the discipline and admonition of the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation
And the fathers! provoke not your children, but nourish them in the instruction and admonition of the Lord.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And ye fathers, prouoke not youre children vnto wrath, but brynge the vp in the nourtoure and informacion of the LORDE.

Mace New Testament (1729)
and you fathers don't exasperate your children: but instruct them in the discipline and institution of the Lord.

THE MESSAGE
Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.

New English Translation
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

New King James Version
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Dads, don't be too hard on your kids. Raise 'em up with discipline and love for the Lord and what he says to do.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Legacy Standard Bible
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Contextual Overview

¹Children, obey your parents in the Lord [that is, accept their guidance and discipline as His representatives], for this is right [for obedience teaches wisdom and self-discipline]. ²HONOR [esteem, value as precious] YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER [and be respectful to them]—this is the first commandment with a promise— ³SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY HAVE A LONG LIFE ON THE EARTH. ⁴Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.⁵Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with respect for authority, and with a sincere heart [seeking to please them], as [service] to Christ— ⁶not in the way of eye-service [working only when someone is watching you and only] to please men, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart; ⁷rendering service with goodwill, as to the Lord, and not [only] to men, ⁸knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether [he is] slave or free. ⁹You masters, do the same [showing goodwill] toward them, and give up threatening and abusive words, knowing that [He who is] both their true Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him [regardless of one's earthly status].

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

ye: Genesis 31:14, Genesis 31:15, 1 Samuel 20:30-34, Colossians 3:21

but: Genesis 18:19, Exodus 12:26, Exodus 12:27, Exodus 13:14, Exodus 13:15, Deuteronomy 4:9, Deuteronomy 6:7, Deuteronomy 6:20-24, Deuteronomy 11:19-21, Joshua 4:6, Joshua 4:7, Joshua 4:21-24, Joshua 24:15, 1 Chronicles 22:10-13, 1 Chronicles 28:9, 1 Chronicles 28:10, 1 Chronicles 28:20, 1 Chronicles 29:19, Psalms 71:17, Psalms 71:18, Psalms 78:4-7, Proverbs 4:1-4, Proverbs 19:18, Proverbs 22:6, Proverbs 22:15, Proverbs 23:13, Proverbs 23:14, Proverbs 29:15, Proverbs 29:17, Isaiah 38:19, 2 Timothy 1:5, 2 Timothy 3:15, Hebrews 12:7-10

Reciprocal: Genesis 50:1 - fell Exodus 10:2 - And that Exodus 10:9 - We will go Exodus 13:8 - General Deuteronomy 31:13 - General Judges 13:12 - How shall we order the child Esther 2:7 - brought up Psalms 78:5 - that they Proverbs 4:4 - He Ecclesiastes 12:1 - Remember Malachi 2:15 - That he Matthew 12:36 - every

Cross-References

Genesis 6:15
"This is the way you are to make it: the length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits (450' x 75' x 45').

Genesis 6:20
"Of fowls and birds according to their kind, of animals according to their kind, of every crawling thing of the ground according to its kind—two of every kind shall come to you to keep them alive.

Genesis 6:21
"Also take with you every kind of food that is edible, and you shall collect and store it; and it shall be food for you and for them."

Genesis 6:22
So Noah did this; according to all that God commanded him, that is what he did.

Genesis 11:4
They said, "Come, let us build a city for ourselves, and a tower whose top will reach into the heavens, and let us make a [famous] name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered [into separate groups] and be dispersed over the surface of the entire earth [as the LORD instructed]."

Numbers 13:33
"There we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight."

Numbers 16:2
and they rose up [in rebellion] before Moses, together with some of the Israelites, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation chosen in the assembly, men of distinction.

Deuteronomy 3:11
(For only Og king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the [giants known as the] Rephaim. Behold, his bed frame was a bed frame of iron; is it not in Rabbah of the Ammonites? It was nine cubits (12 ft.) long and four cubits (6 ft.) wide, using the cubit of a man [the forearm to the end of the middle finger].)

1 Samuel 17:4
Then a champion came out from the camp of the Philistines named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath,.... Neither by words; by unjust and, unreasonable commands; by contumelious and reproachful language; by frequent and public chidings, and by indiscreet and passionate expressions: nor by deeds; preferring one to another; by denying them the necessaries of life; by not allowing them proper recreation; by severe and cruel blows, and inhuman usage; by not giving them suitable education; by an improper disposal of them in marriage; and by profusely spending their estates, and leaving nothing to them: not but that parents may, and ought to correct and rebuke their children; nor are they accountable to them for their conduct; yet they should take care not to provoke them to wrath, because this alienates their minds from them, and renders their instructions and corrections useless, and puts them upon sinful practices; wrath lets in Satan, and leads to sin against God; and indeed it is difficult in the best of men to be angry and not sin; see Colossians 3:21. Fathers are particularly mentioned, they being the heads of families, and are apt to be too severe, as mothers too indulgent.

But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; instructing them in the knowledge of divine things, setting them good examples, taking care to prevent their falling into bad company, praying with them, and for them, bringing them into the house of God, under the means of grace, to attend public worship; all which, under a divine blessing, may be very useful to them; the example of Abraham is worthy of imitation, Genesis 18:19, and the advice of the wise man deserves attention, Proverbs 22:6.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And ye fathers - A command addressed particularly to “fathers,” because they are at the head of the family, and its government is especially committed to them. The object of the apostle here is, to show parents that their commands should be such that they can be easily obeyed, or such as are entirely reasonable and proper. If children are required to “obey,” it is but reasonable that the commands of the parent should be such that they can be obeyed, or such that the child shall not be discouraged in his attempt to obey. This statement is in accordance with what he had said Ephesians 5:22-25 of the relation of husband and wife. It was the duty of the wife to obey - but it was the corresponding duty of the husband to manifest such a character that it would be pleasant to yield obedience - so to love her, that his known wish would be law to her. In like manner it is the duty of children to obey a parent; but it is the duty of a parent to exhibit such a character, and to maintain such a government, that it would be proper for the child to obey; to command nothing that is unreasonable or improper, but to train up his children in the ways of virtue and pure religion.

Provoke not your children to wrath - That is, by unreasonable commands; by needless severity; by the manifestation of anger. So govern them, and so punish them - if punishment is necessary - that they shall not lose their confidence in you, but shall love you. The apostle here has hit on the very danger to which parents are most exposed in the government of their children. It is that of souring their temper; of making them feel that the parent is under the influence of anger, and that it is right for them to be so too. This is done:

(1) When the commands of a parent are unreasonable and severe. The spirit of a child then becomes irritated, and he is “discouraged;” Colossians 3:21.

(2) When a parent is evidently “excited” when he punishes a child. The child then feels:

(a)That if his “father” is angry, it is not wrong for him to be angry; and,

(b)The very fact of anger in a parent kindles anger in his bosom - just as it does when two men are contending.

If he submits in the case, it is only because the parent is the “strongest,” not because he is “right,” and the child cherishes “anger,” while he yields to power. There is no principle of parental government more important than that a father should command his own temper when he inflicts punishment. He should punish a child not because he is “angry,” but because it is “right;” not because it has become a matter of “personal contest,” but because God requires that he should do it, and the welfare of the child demands it. The moment when a child seem that a parent punishes him under the influence of anger, that moment the child will be likely to be angry too - and his anger will be as proper as that of the parent. And yet, how often is punishment inflicted in this manner! And how often does the child feel that the parent punished him simply because he was the “strongest,” not because it was “right;” and how often is the mind of a child left with a strong conviction that wrong has been done him by the punishment which he has received, rather than with repentance for the wrong that he has himself done.

But bring them up - Place them under such discipline and instruction that they shall become acquainted with the Lord.

In the nurture - ἐν παιδεία en paideia. The word used here means “training of a child;” hence education, instruction, discipline. Here it means that they are to train up their children in such a manner as the Lord approves; that is, they are to educate them for virtue and religion.

And admonition - The word used here - νουθεσία nouthesia means literally, “a putting in mind,” then warning, admonition, instruction. The sense here is, that they were to put them in mind of the Lord - of his existence, perfections, law, and claims on their hearts and lives. This command is positive, and is in accordance with all the requirements of the Bible on the subject. No one can doubt that the Bible enjoins on parents the duty of endeavoring to train up their children in the ways of religion, and of making it the grand purpose of this life to prepare them for heaven. It has been often objected that children should be left on religious subjects to form their own opinions when they are able to judge for themselves. Infidels and irreligious people always oppose or neglect the duty here enjoined; and the plea commonly is, that to teach religion to children is to make them prejudiced; to destroy their independence of mind; and to prevent their judging as impartially on so important a subject as they ought to. In reply to this, and in defense of the requirements of the Bible on the subject, we may remark:

(1) That to suffer a child to grow up without any instruction in religion, is about the same as to suffer a garden to lie without any culture. Such a garden would soon be overrun with weeds, and briars, and thorns - but not sooner, or more certainly, than the mind of a child would.

(2) People do instruct their children in a great many things, and why should they not in religion? They teach them how to behave in company; the art of farming; the way to make or use tools; how to make money; how to avoid the arts of the cunning seducer. But why should it not be said that all this tends to destroy their independence, and to make them prejudiced? Why not leave their minds open and free, and suffer them to form their own judgments about farming and the mechanic arts when their minds are matured?

(3) People do inculcate their own sentiments in religion. An infidel is not usually “very” anxious to conceal his views from his children. People teach by example; by incidental remarks; by the “neglect” of that which they regard as of no value. A man who does not pray, is teaching his children not to pray; he who neglects the public worship of God, is teaching his children to neglect it; he who does not read the Bible, is teaching his children not to read it. Such is the constitution of things, that it is impossible for a parent not to inculcate his own religious views on his children. Since this is so, all that the Bible requires is, that his instructions should be right.

(4) To inculcate the truths of religion is not to make the mind narrow, prejudiced, and indisposed to perceive the truth. Religion makes the mind candid, conscientious, open to conviction, ready to follow the truth. Superstition, bigotry, infidelity, and “all” error and falsehood, make the mind narrow and prejudiced.

(5) If a man does not teach his children truth, others will teach them “error.” The young sceptic that the child meets in the street; the artful infidel; the hater of God; the unprincipled stranger; “will” teach the child. But is it not better for a parent to teach his child the “truth” than for a stranger to teach him error?

(6) Religion is the most important of all subjects, and “therefore” it is of most importance that children on that subject should he taught truth. Of whom can God so properly require this as of a parent? If it be asked “in what way” a parent is to bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, I answer:

1. By directly inculcating the doctrines and duties of religion - just as he does anything else that he regards as of value.
2. By placing them in the Sunday school, where he may have a guarantee that they will be taught the truth.
3. By “conducting” them - not merely “sending” them - to the sanctuary, that they may be taught in the house of God.
4. By example - all teaching being valueless without that.
5. By prayer for the divine aid in his efforts, and for the salvation of their souls. These duties are plain, simple, easy to be performed, and are such as a man “knows” he ought to perform. If neglected, and the soul of the child be lost, a parent has a most fearful account to render to God.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Ephesians 6:4. Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath — Avoid all severity; this will hurt your own souls, and do them no good; on the contrary, if punished with severity or cruelty, they will be only hardened and made desperate in their sins. Cruel parents generally have bad children. He who corrects his children according to God and reason will feel every blow on his own heart more sensibly than his child feels it on his body. Parents are called to correct; not to punish, their children. Those who punish them do it from a principle of revenge; those who correct them do it from a principle of affectionate concern.

Bring them up, c.] Εκτρεφετε αυτα εν παιδειᾳ και νουθεσια Κυριου· literally, Nourish them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. The mind is to be nourished with wholesome discipline and instruction, as the body is with proper food. παιδεια, discipline, may refer to all that knowledge which is proper for children, including elementary principles and rules for behaviour, c. νουθεσια, instruction, may imply whatever is necessary to form the mind to touch, regulate, and purify the passions and necessarily includes the whole of religion. Both these should be administered in the Lord-according to his will and word, and in reference to his eternal glory. All the important lessons and doctrines being derived from his revelation, therefore they are called the discipline and instruction of the Lord.