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NASB | Ephesians 6:2 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 6:2 HONOR [esteem, value as precious] YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER [and be respectful to them]--this is the first commandment with a promise-- |
Bible Question: I know Ephesians 6:1-2 tells you to honor your parents and your days will be long on this earth....However are you suppose to still honor your parents if they were abusive, hurtful, neglectful, unprotective and condemning? My parents never took much interest in me or my accomplishments as a person. Both parents never attended any graduations that I had (elementary, middle school, high school or college). My mother was physically and verbally abusive. She never cooked regularly even though we had food available in the home and punished us if we did cook. She never purchased us clothing as needed. Even though she had money for us. She would criticize us badly in front of others and really never tried to instill any real values in us. She would wake us after midnight to physically beat us if she believed that we did something wrong even though we didn't. My father did not reside in the home with us but knew all of this was going on but chose not to do anything about it because he was having a relationship with her. I would tell him about the abuse and all he would offer was to "try and stay away from her". How can a child stay away from a parent that they live with and depend on? So from those experiences I have chose to estrange myself from my parents today and for many years. However I do struggle with the above mentioned scripture. Am I wrong for my that? |
Bible Answer: Hello hoodrat, I empathize with you. You're not wrong to struggle with this- simply human:-) Eph. 6:2-3 instructs, "HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU," (NASB) It doesn't qualify by saying "if we feel like it" or "if our parents were kind to us", etc. We do this because we are commanded to do so by the Lord- even despite the circumstances! Only as we are transformed by the renewal of our minds, and conformed to the image of Christ can we deal with these matters as God intends. May you meditate upon Rom. 12:14-21. Rom 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rom 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Rom 12:17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. Rom 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Rom 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. Rom 12:20 "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD." Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. May the Lord strengthen you and give you the wisdom to continue to strive in loving and honoring your parents- to His glory! Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |