Ephesians 6:3
What does Ephesians 6:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Ephesians 6:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ephesians 6:3 means
Paul restates the promise attached to honoring parents: well-being and length of days on the earth. He presents a principle of God’s providential order, not a mechanical guarantee. Honoring parents trains a person in wisdom, humility, and social stability, which ordinarily leads to a healthier, longer life. The blessing is “on the earth,” signaling a broad, creational good that God intends for human societies. In Christ, believers receive this promise within a redeemed framework, recognizing that even when earthly life is cut short, God’s care and eternal life remain secure. The verse highlights that God’s commands are not burdensome; they aim at our good and the good of communities.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that all may be well for you, and your life may be long on the earth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862which is the first command with a promise, `That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live a long time upon the land.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest be long lived upon earth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest be long-lived on the earth.
Context
Verse 3 completes Paul’s citation of the commandment begun in verse 2, clarifying the promised outcome of honoring parents. Having grounded children’s obedience in God’s law and promise, Paul will address fathers in verse 4, ensuring the family order functions with both authority and tenderness. The household section then widens in verses 5–9 to include servants and masters, showing how the lordship of Christ transforms every relationship within the first-century home and workplace setting.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 22:7
thou shalt surely let the dam go, but the young thou mayest take unto thyself; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.
- Deuteronomy 4:40
And thou shalt keep his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days in the land, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, for ever.
- Isaiah 3:10
Say ye of the righteous, that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
- Jeremiah 42:6
Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of Jehovah our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of Jehovah our God.
- Deuteronomy 6:18
And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of Jehovah; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which Jehovah sware unto thy fathers,
- Deuteronomy 6:3
Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as Jehovah, the God of thy fathers, hath promised unto thee, in a land flowing with milk and honey.
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