Devine Scripture

Colossians 3:21

What does Colossians 3:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Colossians 3:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Colossians 3:21 means

“Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.” The authority of parents must be exercised with tenderness and wisdom. Provocation—through harshness, inconsistency, favoritism, or unreasonable demands—crushes a child’s spirit, breeding resentment or despair. Paul calls fathers, as heads of households, to nurture rather than needle, to guide with patience, and to correct in ways that build character and hope. The goal is encouragement and formation, not control for its own sake. In Christ’s household, leadership mirrors the Father’s heart—firm yet gentle—so that children grow secure, responsive, and eager to please the Lord who watches over family life.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Fathers, do not be hard on your children, so that their spirit may not be broken.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

the fathers! vex not your children, lest they be discouraged.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Fathers, provoke not your children to indignation, lest they be discouraged.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Fathers, do not vex your children, to the end that they be not disheartened.

Context

Having called children to obey (verse 20), Paul tempers parental authority (verse 21), guarding against discouragement. The pattern is consistent: mutual responsibilities shaped by Christlike love. With the nuclear family addressed, Paul now turns to the wider household structure of the ancient world—servants and masters (verses 22–25, anticipating 4:1). He will apply the same principle of serving the Lord in every relationship, dignifying even the most ordinary or constrained work with a view toward Christ’s reward and rule.

v.20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.

v.21This passage

v.22Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ephesians 6:4

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

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:11

    as ye know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, and testifying,

  • Proverbs 3:12

    For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth, Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

  • Psalms 103:13

    Like as a father pitieth his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him.

  • Hebrews 12:5

    and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him;

  • Proverbs 4:1

    Hear, mysons, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding:

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