What Does the Bible Say About Being a Good Father?
What Does the Bible Say About Being a Good Father? Fathers are called to love, instruct, discipline, and model faith for their children — reflecting God the Father's relationship with His children.
Key verse: Ephesians 6:4 (KJV)
Fathers are called to love, instruct, discipline, and model faith for their children — reflecting God the Father's relationship with His children.
Fathers are called to love, instruct, discipline, and model faith for their children — reflecting God the Father's relationship with His children.
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." — Ephesians 6:4 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
Ephesians 6:4 instructs, 'And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.' Deuteronomy 6:6-7 commands fathers to teach God's Word diligently: 'Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house.' Proverbs 22:6 says, 'Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.' Psalm 103:13 shows God's model: 'Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.' Hebrews 12:5-11 presents discipline as an expression of love, comparing God's fatherly correction to human fathers. Malachi 4:6 prophesied the turning of fathers' hearts to children. A godly father provides, protects, instructs, corrects, and above all, points his children to God.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Marriage?
God's design for marriage, the roles of husband and wife, and building a Christ-centered relationship.
Key Scripture References
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children."
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Does the Bible Say About Raising Children?
The Bible instructs parents to train children in God's ways through teaching, discipline, love, and personal example.
What Does the Bible Say About Children?
The Bible describes children as a blessing from God, commands parents to raise them in the faith, and records Jesus welcoming and blessing little children.
What Does the Bible Say About Marriage?
The Bible presents marriage as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, designed by God to reflect Christ's relationship with the church.
What Does the Bible Say About Divorce?
The Bible teaches that God hates divorce but permits it in cases of sexual immorality and abandonment by an unbelieving spouse.
What Does the Bible Say About Sex and Sexuality?
The Bible presents sex as a good gift from God designed exclusively for the covenant of marriage between husband and wife.
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 Ephesians. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Ephesians on day 339 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Being a Good Father?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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