Bible Verses About Parents

"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise."

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old."

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

"Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto 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."

"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother."

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

What does the Bible say about parents?

The relationship between parents and children is one of the most sacred in all of Scripture. God commands children to honor their parents—the first commandment with a promise—and calls parents to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Key King James Version passages include Exodus 20:12, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:1-2. This page collects 10 KJV verses about parents, each quoted in full.

What does it mean to honor your parents?

Honoring parents means showing respect, gratitude, and care—even when you disagree. It includes obeying as a child (Ephesians 6:1), seeking their wisdom as an adult, caring for them in old age (1 Timothy 5:4), and speaking well of them. Honoring doesn't mean agreeing with everything, but it does mean treating them with dignity.

How do I honor parents who were abusive?

Honoring abusive parents does not mean condoning or enabling harm. You can honor them by forgiving them (which frees you), maintaining healthy boundaries, praying for them, and refusing to become bitter. Honor is about your heart posture, not about pretending abuse didn't happen.

How do I honor parents I disagree with?

Honoring doesn't mean agreeing. You can respectfully disagree while maintaining dignity and love. Listen before responding, avoid public criticism, pray for them, and seek to understand their perspective. Honor is about respect, not submission to every opinion.

How should adult children honor difficult parents?

The command to honor parents (Exodus 20:12) does not expire at adulthood, but honoring does not mean enabling sin or tolerating abuse. Adult honor can include respectful boundaries, praying for parents, and refusing to speak ill of them.