Ephesians 6:2 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

Here the authority of revealed law is added.

Which is ... [ heetis (G3748 ): inasmuch as it is] promise. The "promise" is not the main motive, but an incidental one. The main motive is, it is God's will (Deuteronomy 5:16, "Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath COMMANDED thee"): that it is so, is shown by His accompanying it 'with a ( en (G1722): the first in respect to) promise.

First - in the decalogue, with a special promise.' The promise in the second commandment is general. Their duty is more expressly prescribed to children than to parents; for love descends rather than ascends (Bengel). This verse proves the law in the New Testament is not abolished.

Ephesians 6:2

2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)