How to Honor Your Parents?
How to Honor Your Parents? Honor your parents by respecting them in speech and action, obeying them while you live at home, providing for them as they age, and esteeming their counsel — even when you disagree.
Key verse: Exodus 20:12 (KJV)
Honor your parents by respecting them in speech and action, obeying them while you live at home, providing for them as they age, and esteeming their counsel — even when you disagree.
Honor your parents by respecting them in speech and action, obeying them while you live at home, providing for them as they age, and esteeming their counsel — even when you disagree.
"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." — Exodus 20:12 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
The fifth commandment is the first with a promise: long life on the land. Honoring parents is foundational to a stable society and a maturing soul. It applies at every age — obedience while at home, respect throughout life, and care in their old age.\n\nHonor is more than feeling — it is action. Speak respectfully. Refuse to mock or dismiss them, even in jest. Seek their counsel. Visit, call, include them. 1 Timothy 5:4 specifically charges adult children to provide for ageing parents — 'good and acceptable before God.'\n\nWhere parents have failed, honour is harder but still commanded. You may need boundaries against sin, but you can still treat them with dignity and pray for them. Honour does not require obeying ungodly demands (Acts 5:29). The aim is to please the Father who gave you those parents and uses them — even imperfectly — to shape you.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Honoring Parents?
What the Bible teaches about honoring your father and mother at every stage of life.
Key Scripture References
"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise."
"If any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God."
Frequently asked questions
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Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Exodus. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Exodus on day 24 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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