And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
And - superiors also have duties to the inferiors. Fathers - including mothers. The fathers are specified, as being the fountains of domestic authority. Fathers are more prone to passion toward their children than mothers, whose fault is rather over-indulgence.
Provoke not - by vexatious commands, unreasonable blame, and uncertain temper (Alford). Colossians 3:21, "lest they be discouraged."
Nurture - `discipline;' namely, training by chastening in act where needed (Job 5:17; Hebrews 12:7).
Admonition, х nouthesia (G3559)] - training by words (Deuteronomy 6:7; Proverbs 22:6, margin, 'catechize'), whether of encouragement, remonstrance, or reproof (Trench). Contrast 1 Samuel 3:13, margin.
Of the Lord - such as the Lord approves, and by His Spirit dictates.