Bible Strands
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Ephesian church, specifically fathers, within a household code that simultaneously instructs children and slaves.
The words — The Greek verb παροργίζετε (parorgizete) literally means "do not provoke to anger," warning against parental actions that ignite resentment.
The thread — The text repeats the prohibition in Colossians 3:21, while the positive command to train children aligns with the directives in Proverbs 22:6 and Proverbs 29:15.
Why it lands — The text commands fathers to replace harshness with deliberate teaching and correction grounded in the Lord's standards, requiring consistent guidance rather than emotional reaction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Cross-references
- Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.
- Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
- Proverbs 29:15 A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
- Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.
- Deuteronomy 6:7 And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
- Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will bring delight to your soul.
- 2 Timothy 3:15 From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
- Proverbs 23:13 Do not withhold discipline from a child; although you strike him with a rod, he will not die.
- Proverbs 4:1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
- Genesis 18:19 For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”