A Godly Example

Ephesians 6:1-4

“…and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

There are three very important terms in this passage, which take some wisdom to properly understand.

The first is bring them up, the second is nurture, and the third is admonition.

Bring them up is to raise a child to maturity by providing for physical and psychological needs—‘to raise, to rear, to bring up.’8

τρέφωc : ἦλθεν εἰς Ναζαρά, οὗ ἦν τεθραμμένος ‘he went to Nazareth where he had been brought up as a child’ Lk 4.16.[1]

Nurture to train someone in accordance with proper rules of conduct and behavior—‘to discipline, to train, discipline, training.’

παιδεύωb : δοῦλον δὲ κυρίου … ἐν πραΰτητι παιδεύοντα τοὺς ἀντιδιατιθεμένους ‘the Lord’s servant … must be gentle as he disciplines his opponents’ or ‘ … those who oppose what he says’ 2 Tm 2.24–25.[2]

Admonition is rather to advise someone concerning the dangerous consequences of some happening or action—‘to warn, warning.’

νουθετέωc : παρακαλοῦμεν δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, νουθετεῖτε τοὺς ἀτάκτους ‘we urge you, Christian brothers, to warn the idle’ 1 Th 5.14. νουθετέω in 1 Th 5.14 may also be understood in the sense of ‘to admonish’[3]

I. There is a relationship between father and child that needs to be appreciated by both.

A. Rebellion in either is the manifestation of the hardness of the human heart.

1. Some fathers are over bearing tyrants that sadistically suppress their children.

2. Some children just think their fathers are such, because they dislike rules or training, and so rebel and cause dissention in the family.

I have not always liked what my heavenly Father brings to me, and may at times act rebellious, but He has always looked to my benefit in all. (Romans 8:28)

B. Submission to the word of God can be the only remedy for such.

Children, do you not know that your father loves you and only, in his limited resources desires the best for you?

Fathers, do you not know that children will not always head the warnings of God’s word, but will rebel and by it bring judgment upon themselves?

1. Children – obey and honour.

2. Fathers – do not provoke to wrath.

Παροργιζω = bring one to wrath.

There is here a certain amount of subjectivity, for every child is different. The breaking point for one is not the same for another, just as discipline varies from child to child.

II. The Godly formula provided here brings about a glorious blessing.

A. There is the extension of life itself.

Seen clearly by the example of Genesis 5:21-27, where Enoch the righteous man that God took to heaven, influenced his son Methuselah who lived 969 years.

B. There is the continuation of Godliness.

1. In a successive generation.

2. In the peace and solitude of family life.

C. Works best when both child and father embrace their perspective rolls.

Conclusion:

Fathers, what kind of legacy are you leaving your children? Are you doing all you can to train up the children God has given you? And children, are you living in obedience to Christ by living in obedience to your earthly father?

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8 8 There may very well be subtle differences of meaning in the series in 35.51, but there is no direct contextual evidence to support significant distinctions in meaning.

[1]Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament : Based on Semantic Domains, electronic ed. of the 2nd edition. (New York: United Bible societies, 1996, c1989). 1:463.

[2]Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament : Based on Semantic Domains, electronic ed. of the 2nd edition. (New York: United Bible societies, 1996, c1989). 1:466.

[3]Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament : Based on Semantic Domains, electronic ed. of the 2nd edition. (New York: United Bible societies, 1996, c1989). 1:436.