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The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them
to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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November 4, 2012
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Contents:
1) Ephesians 6:1-4 (Tom Edwards)
2) News & Notes
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-1-
Ephesians 6:1-4
by Tom Edwards
After instructing husbands and wives in their relation to each other
and to God, Paul then instructs the children to "...obey your
parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER
(which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE
WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH" (Eph.
6:1-3).
We commented on this phrase, to "obey your parents IN THE
LORD," when considering the wives' responsibility to "be subject to
your own husbands, AS TO THE LORD" (Eph. 5:22; emphasis mine).
In either passage, it does not mean that the husband or the parents
have to be Christians before they are submitted to and obeyed.
But, rather, these expressions indicate that the specific things
that the child or wife submits to would be only that which is not
contrary to God's word. For instance, if the husband wanted his wife
to steal, she certainly could not comply with that. But if she
did, she would then be exemplifying the violation that Jesus sets
forth in Matthew 10:37: "He who loves father or mother more than Me
is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me
is not worthy of Me." Luke's account also includes "brothers and
sisters," "wife," and "his own life" (Luke 14:26); and though
husband, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and some other relations are
not mentioned, the principle would still be true: To love anyone
more than to love God would not be right. For in loving others
more, it indicates that the person who does so will reject,
compromise, and corrupt God's truth for the sake of pleasing someone
else instead.
Notice the reason Paul gives in Ephesians 6:1 for why children
should obey their parents in the Lord: "for this is right."
And of all motivations, is not this one the primary and most noble
grounds for doing so, which rises above that of the fear of
punishment or simply the desire for rewards?
In addition, Paul also shows a couple other reasons for children to
submit to their parents: "SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT
YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH" (v. 3). According to this
passage, honoring one's parents (which would imply submitting to
them) will result in blessings and longevity. This passage is
an allusion to one of the Ten Commandments, as seen in Deuteronomy
5:16: "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has
commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go
well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you."
To better understand this, one needs to realize the importance of
children obeying their parents during Old Testament times. For
certain offenses in not doing so would actually result in the death
of the disobedient son or daughter. For instance: "If there is
anyone who curses his father or his mother, he shall surely be put
to death; he has cursed his father or his mother, his
bloodguiltiness is upon him" (Lev. 20:9). "He who strikes his
father or his mother shall surely be put to death" (Exod.
21:15). "For God said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,' and,
'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, LET HIM BE PUT TO DEATH'"
(Matt. 15:4) "If any man has a stubborn and rebellious son who
will not obey his father or his mother, and when they chastise him,
he will not even listen to them, then his father and mother shall
seize him, and bring him out to the elders of his city at the
gateway of his home town. And they shall say to the elders of
his city, 'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious, he will not
obey us, he is a glutton and a drunkard.' Then all the men of
his city shall stone him to death; so you shall remove the evil from
your midst, and all Israel shall hear of it and fear" (Deut.
21:18-21). From these passages, we can clearly see how a
child's obedience and honor toward his parents could help him to
attain longevity -- rather than a premature death.
Though we are no longer under these Old Testament laws, there are
still ways, even today, in which disobedience to parents could
possibly lead to the untimely death of a child -- instead of having
a long life. For example, what if the child disobeys his
parents when it comes to alcohol and drugs? I once met a
person in her 20's or 30's who could name about a dozen of her
friends, around her age, who had already died, due to alcohol or
drug-related incidents -- whether by overdose or car accidents while
under the influence. And even if alcohol and drugs are not
involved, what about the young person who disobeys his parents when
it comes to driving safely? Instead, he wants to show his
friends how fast his new car will go -- and ends up wrapping it
around a tree and losing his own life. Generally speaking,
people who live to do what is right have better odds at longevity
than those who disregard the proper course in life. And
obedience to what is right should begin in the home, while the
person is young and learning to respect and obey the authority of
his or her parents and being instilled with the value of integrity
toward God. For that will carry over into every area of the
person's life. As James Burton Coffman writes, "If one does
not learn obedience at home, he becomes a troublemaker in school;
and from there he soon graduates to the police court. A great
deal of the world's sorrows could be prevented if all children were
taught to obey their parents."
As we think of honoring one's father and mother, what does that
truly mean? The Greek word for "honor" (timao), in Ephesians
6:2, is defined as "to revere" or "venerate" (Thayer).
E.W. Bullinger shows that it also means "to deem or hold
worthy." In addition, we can note, according to how this word
is used in the Scriptures, that it also denotes more than merely an
attitude of respect. For instance, consider the following:
"They also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were
setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed" (Acts
28:10). In the RSV, this is rendered as, "They presented many
gifts to us; and when we sailed, they put on board whatever we
needed." So these natives honored Paul and the others who had
sailed with him by giving them needful gifts. Going along with
that, Jesus declares, "...'And why do you yourselves transgress the
commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God
said, 'HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,' and, 'HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF
FATHER OR MOTHER, LET HIM BE PUT TO DEATH.' But you say,
'Whoever shall say to his father or mother, "Anything of mine you
might have been helped by has been given to God," he is not to honor
his father or his mother.' And thus you invalidated the word
of God for the sake of your tradition" (Matt. 15:3-6). From
this passage, we can infer that the honoring of one's parents also
involves helping them financially, if they have a need for that.
Note, too, from Matthew 15:8, that honor only worded, or as lip-
service, falls short of being the honor it should be. Here
Jesus states, "THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR
HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME." In the context, the Lord refers to
those who would do this as being hypocrites.
In 1 Timothy 5:17, Paul uses the phrase "double honor." The
verse states: "The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy
of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and
teaching." What is "double honor"? The next verse makes
that clear: "For the Scripture says, 'YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX
WHILE HE IS THRESHING,' and 'The laborer is worthy of his wages'"
(v. 18). This is also the same Old Testament reference that
Paul used when speaking about support to a preacher (1 Cor.
9:9). So, again, we see honor in connection with a
manifestation of that honor -- and in this case, financial
support.
Honor toward parents, therefore, should motivate the child toward
obedience that can truly be seen in the child's relationship to his
or her parents. So just as love prompts a person to certain
actions, honor also does likewise. And if a young person has
to disobey a parent for being told to do something that was wrong,
the child is still to honor the parent. As E.M. Zerr writes,
the child "while refusing to obey the request of his parent because
it is unscriptural, he should do so in a manner that does not show
disrespect for the parent. The overbearing attitude that so many
boys and girls manifest toward their parents is never right under
any circumstances."
In Ephesians 6:4, Paul next gives instruction to the fathers, by
saying, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring
them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." In
writing to the Colossians, Paul states a similar thing: "Fathers, do
not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart"
(Col. 3:21). The dictionary defines "exasperate" as "to
irritate or provoke to a high degree; annoy extremely" (Random House
Webster's Electronic Dictionary and Thesaurus). Zerr
defines it as "vex bitterly." So, "Fathers are cautioned
against an excessive severity that provokes bitter, wrathful
rebellion" (David Lipscomb).
Therefore, rather than overly provoking their children, fathers are
urged to "bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the
Lord." Though we might equate "discipline" with only punishment,
that is actually just part of it -- and a final step. For the
Greek word (paideia) is defined as "the whole training and education
of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals,
and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now
reproof and punishment). It also includes the training and
care of the body" (Thayer). So from this definition, it
appears that we can break down "discipline" into three main
categories: 1) It begins with teaching. 2) It also
includes commands and warnings. 3) And when the commands and
warnings are not heeded, then there is reproof and punishment.
Therefore, all of this works together toward the proper upbuilding
of the child. Strong defines "paideia" as "tutorage, that is,
education or training; by implication disciplinary
correction." Discipline, therefore, means much more than
merely punishment.
The importance of the right kind of discipline can be seen in both
the Old and the New Testaments. For instance, Proverbs 22:6:
"Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he
will not depart from it." And 2 Timothy 3:14,15: "You, however,
continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of,
knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from childhood you
have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom
that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
The Greek word for "instruction" (nouthesia) in Ephesians 6:4
denotes "calling attention to, that is (by implication) mild rebuke
or warning" (James Strong). Thayer defines it as "admonition,
exhortation."
God's word is filled with admonitions. We might often think of
this word as meaning "warnings," but it actually can denote more
than that. The dictionary defines it as "1) to caution,
advise, or counsel against something. 2. to reprove or scold,
esp. in a mild and good-willed manner. 3. to urge to a duty or
remind of an obligation" (RHWED). So, yes, we are warned with
God's word. But we are also wisely advised, kindly reproved,
firmly urged to obey the Lord, and helpfully reminded of what all
that obedience involves.
Exhortations appear to be similar to admonitions, but a little more
severe. The dictionary shows "exhort" to mean "1. to urge,
advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently" (RHWED).
One of the Old Testament passages that clearly shows the need for
children to be brought up in the teachings of God is Deuteronomy
6:6-9: "And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be
on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and
shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by
the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you
shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals
on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of
your house and on your gates."
David Lipscomb lived from 1831 to 1917 and was a prominent
individual and very influential during the Restoration
Movement. In making an observation of Christians of his day in
relation to their children, he declares, "In no point do Christians
fail more than in the training of their children in the Lord.
They allow them to grow up ambitious of worldly preferment, lovers
of pleasure, greedy of gain, and frequently scoffers of God.
...The obedience of childhood and youth rendered to a wise Christian
rule forms the habit of self-control, self-respect, diligence,
faithfulness, and kindliness of heart, which are the best guarantees
for happiness and success in life."
To young Samuel, the Lord said the following about Eli the priest:
"...'Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears
of everyone who hears it will tingle. In that day I will carry
out against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from
beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to judge
his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons
brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. And
therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of
Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering
forever'" (1 Sam. 3:11-14). Some other versions refer to Eli's
not rebuking his sons as, "he restrained them not" (KJV), "he didn't
try to stop them" (GW), and "he let them get away with it"
(CEV). And this is said even though Eli did express to them
his disapproval of the wrongs they had committed (1 Sam. 2:22-25).
In addition, though it is to the fathers that this is addressed in
Ephesians 6:4, the principle should also be observed by the mother
to not provoke her children to anger, but to bring them up in the
discipline and instruction of the Lord.
There might be a couple reasons, however, why the father is
specified. First, he is the head of the household. And,
second, the father is more likely to be more stern and severe than
the mother; so he is being cautioned to maintain the proper temper
when disciplining his children. For instance, if a child had a
choice, which parent would he or she prefer to be disciplined
by? And what could be more alarming to a child who has done
something wrong than to hear his or her mother say, "You just wait
until your father gets home!"?
We also know it is important for parents to be in agreement in how
they discipline their children. For otherwise, one parent
could countermand the disciplinary measures of the other, which
would give the child a mixed message that would detract from the
seriousness of the child's offense.
So, as we considered in this lesson, "Children, obey your parents in
the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother...
And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them
up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Eph. 6:1-4).
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News & Notes
Let those of us who are Christians be remembering the following
people in prayer:
Kay Babin's test results show that it is viral meningitis
that she is still recovering from.
Shirley Young who has continual fibromyalgia and will be
having gall bladder surgery November 20.
Doris Crews who recently had a knee replacement.
Pam MacDonald who has severe back trouble.
Clifton Trimble who is in his 80's with heart trouble.
Bill Barfield who has been several months in a hospital's
step-down unit.
Terry MacDonald who is healing from surgery.
Cheryl Crews who has chronic ailments.
Caleb Davis who is now in Afghanistan.
Mozelle Robertson who is a little frail at 92.
Wayne Murray who is in a nursing home in Columbus,
Mississippi.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel,
for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the
deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins
(Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in
Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water
for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4;
Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith;
for, if not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet.
2:20-22).
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Park Forest
CHURCH OF CHRIST
9923 Sunny Cline Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70817
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 6 PM (worship)
Tuesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/go (Gospel Observer website)
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html (audio sermons)