Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
Paul is writing to early Christians in Ephesus — a major city in what is now Turkey — and quoting the fifth of the Ten Commandments, a set of moral laws God gave to the Israelites through Moses. Paul notes that this commandment is unique: it is the first of the Ten Commandments that comes attached to a specific promise — that things will go well for you and you will live long (as he elaborates in the next verse). The word honor carries more weight than simple obedience; it implies respect, care, and recognizing someone's worth. Paul is reminding followers of Jesus that this ancient command still carries full weight in the new community of faith.
Lord, you placed me in a family I didn't choose. Help me to honor the people who raised me — even when it's complicated, even when it hurts. Give me wisdom to know what honoring them actually looks like in my real life right now. Amen.
Most of us didn't get to pick our parents. Some got warm, generous, present ones. Others got ones who were absent, harsh, or complicated — or some exhausting mix of all three. And yet here is this command: not to idolize or blindly agree with, but to *honor*. That word has more texture than we often give it. Honoring someone means recognizing their worth — their humanity, their role, even their limitations — without requiring them to be perfect first. Honoring a difficult parent might look like showing up to a phone call when you'd rather not. For someone with a wonderful parent, it might simply mean actually calling more than twice a year. Either way, God seems to think this relationship is serious enough to attach a promise to it. What would it look like this week to honor your parents — not because they've earned it perfectly, but because God asks it of you?
What does the word honor mean to you personally, and how is it different from words like obey or agree with?
Is there an area in your relationship with a parent — living or deceased — where you sense God nudging you toward more intentional honor?
What do you do when honoring a parent seems to conflict with protecting your own emotional health or your own family?
How has the way your parents treated you shaped how you relate to other people in authority in your life?
What is one specific, concrete action you could take this week to honor a parent or parental figure in your life?
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Exodus 20:12
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.
Proverbs 23:22
Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Matthew 19:19
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Romans 13:7
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
Proverbs 20:20
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Malachi 1:6
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
Luke 18:20
For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
Matthew 15:4
Honor [esteem, value as precious] your father and your mother [and be respectful to them]—this is the first commandment with a promise—
AMP
“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),
ESV
HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise),
NASB
“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—
NIV
“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:
NKJV
“Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise:
NLT
"Honor your father and mother" is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely,
MSG