Ephesians 6:2
“Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul recalls the commandment to honor father and mother, the first with a promise.
What Does Ephesians 6:2 Mean?
Paul grounds his counsel in the commandment: 'Honour thy father and mother.' To honor goes beyond mere obedience; it means to value, respect, and esteem one's parents. This duty is woven into the law God gave His people long ago.
He notes it is 'the first commandment with promise.' This command comes with an attached blessing, which Paul will name next. God does not merely require honor of parents but encourages it with a promise of good. The instruction is framed not as a heavy burden but as a path to blessing.
In the Original Language
timao (τιμάω), 'honour' -- to esteem, to value highly, to treat with respect.