Devine Scripture

Ephesians 6:4

What does Ephesians 6:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 6:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 6:4 means

Paul commands fathers not to provoke their children to wrath. Parenting that is harsh, inconsistent, or demeaning breeds resentment and discouragement. Instead, fathers must raise children in the Lord’s discipline and admonition—structured training that corrects and forms, and wise instruction that aims at the heart. The standard is not personal preference but the Lord’s way. This verse dignifies fatherhood with responsibility and restraint, calling for a balanced approach that mirrors God’s own patient yet firm care. Parenting is discipleship at home: shaping character, guiding conscience, and pointing to Christ through a consistent pattern of correction, encouragement, and instruction rooted in Scripture and the gospel.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And, you fathers, do not make your children angry: but give them training in the teaching and fear of the Lord.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the fathers! provoke not your children, but nourish them in the instruction and admonition of the Lord.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And you, fathers, provoke not your children to anger: but bring them up in the discipline and correction of the Lord.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And [ye] fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in [the] discipline and admonition of [the] Lord.

Context

After commanding children to obey with promise (vv. 1–3), Paul now balances parental authority by regulating how fathers exercise it. This keeps the household code from becoming one-sided or abusive. Verse 4 concludes the child–parent section. Next, in verses 5–9, Paul turns to servants and masters, applying the same Christ-centered ethic. The movement shows the gospel’s reach: it orders the smallest relationships and the most complex social arrangements under the authority of the Lord.

v.3that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

v.4This passage

v.5Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

Cross references

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

  • Colossians 3:21

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

  • Deuteronomy 6:20

    When thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Jehovah our God hath commanded you?

  • Proverbs 29:17

    Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul.

  • 1 Chronicles 22:10

    He shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.

  • Deuteronomy 11:19

    And ye shall teach them your children, talking of them, when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

  • 1 Chronicles 28:9

    And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts. If thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

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