Respecting our parents is a key teaching in the Bible, and it holds great importance for living a life that pleases God. Today, we’ll look at some Bible verses that guide us to honor our parents, demonstrating love and respect in our daily actions.
Bible Verses About Respecting Parents
Exodus 20:12 – Honor your father and mother
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” – Exodus 20:12
Ephesians 6:1 – Obey your parents in the Lord
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” – Ephesians 6:1
Colossians 3:20 – Pleasing the Lord through obedience
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” – Colossians 3:20
Proverbs 1:8 – Listen to your parents’ instruction
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” – Proverbs 1:8
Proverbs 6:20 – Keep your parents’ teachings close
“My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” – Proverbs 6:20
Proverbs 23:22 – Do not despise your mother when she is old
“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” – Proverbs 23:22
Leviticus 19:3 – Fear your mother and father
“Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the Lord your God.” – Leviticus 19:3
Matthew 15:4 – Honor to parents is God’s command
“For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.'” – Matthew 15:4
Proverbs 30:17 – The consequence of disrespect
“The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.” – Proverbs 30:17
1 Timothy 5:4 – Supporting family comes from respect
“But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn, first of all, to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents.” – 1 Timothy 5:4
Deuteronomy 5:16 – Commandment with a promise
“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” – Deuteronomy 5:16
Proverbs 15:20 – A wise child brings joy
“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.” – Proverbs 15:20
Matthew 19:19 – Love your neighbor as yourself
“Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 19:19
1 Corinthians 7:14 – The holy influence of a believing parent
“For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.” – 1 Corinthians 7:14
Malachi 1:6 – A challenge to honor
“A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” – Malachi 1:6
Proverbs 4:1 – Wisdom from parents
“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.” – Proverbs 4:1
1 Thessalonians 5:12 – Respect those who work hard
“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:12
Hebrews 12:9 – Our earthly fathers instruct us
“Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!” – Hebrews 12:9
Proverbs 10:1 – A wise child makes their parents glad
“The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.” – Proverbs 10:1
Psalm 127:3 – Children are a blessing
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” – Psalm 127:3
Romans 13:1 – Submission to authority
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” – Romans 13:1
Proverbs 12:1 – Wisdom through correction
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” – Proverbs 12:1
Proverbs 23:24 – A joyful father
“The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.” – Proverbs 23:24
Matthew 5:7 – Blessed are the merciful
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
James 1:19 – Quick to listen, slow to speak
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” – James 1:19
Proverbs 29:15 – The importance of discipline
“The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.” – Proverbs 29:15
Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
Luke 2:51 – Jesus’ obedience to His parents
“Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured all these things in her heart.” – Luke 2:51
Philippians 2:3-4 – Consider others better than yourselves
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” – Philippians 2:3-4
1 Peter 2:17 – Show proper respect to everyone
“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” – 1 Peter 2:17
Proverbs 20:20 – The fate of one who curses their parents
“If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.” – Proverbs 20:20
Mark 7:10 – The commandment to honor parents
“For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’” – Mark 7:10
Also Read: 30 Bible Verses About Paying Debt (Explained)
What Does the Bible Say About Respecting Parents?
Respect for parents holds significant importance in our spiritual journey. This principle weaves through the fabric of biblical teachings, underscoring its lasting value. Let’s explore how scripture emphasizes this fundamental concept and what it means for us.
Respecting our parents is a cornerstone of biblical commandments. The directive to honor our father and mother is explicitly stated and often repeated throughout the Bible. This commandment isn’t just about obedience; it extends to holding our parents in high esteem, caring for them, and valuing their wisdom and guidance.
In the Old Testament, this commandment is one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses. Here, the act of honoring parents is directly linked to living a long, prosperous life in the land God has provided. It suggests that respect is foundational to building a just and holy community.
Moving to the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles reaffirm this principle. Paul, for instance, reiterates the significance of honoring parents in his letters, stating that it’s the first commandment accompanied by a promise. This highlights the enduring nature of this precept across both testaments.
But what does this respect look like in practice? It’s not merely about obedience during childhood. As adults, respecting our parents can mean attending to their needs as they age, valuing their experiences and insights, and making efforts to appreciate their role in our lives. It’s about acknowledging the sacrifices they’ve made and showing gratitude in tangible ways.
Furthermore, respecting parents aligns with the broader biblical theme of love and community. By honoring our parents, we demonstrate love, compassion, and humility—traits that Jesus exemplified and encouraged us to embody. It’s about contributing to a culture of respect within our families which can ripple out to the wider community.
In essence, the Bible sets a clear and lasting expectation: our treatment of our parents mirrors our reverence for God’s commandments and our commitment to living by them. This respect is a dual expression of our faith and our familial bonds, showing that the two are deeply intertwined.
By embracing this commandment, we not only fulfill a divine mandate but also contribute to the strength and harmony of our families and communities. This act of respect weaves us closer, reminding us that honoring parents is a path to deeper relationships and a more profound spiritual life.