Bible Verses About Honoring Your Father and Mother

Honoring your father and mother is the first commandment with a promise, as Paul notes in Ephesians 6:2-3. This biblical principle spans both testaments and applies to children of all ages. These Bible verses about honoring your father and mother reveal that this commandment is not just about obedience in childhood but about a lifelong attitude of respect, care, and gratitude toward those who raised us. Whether your relationship with your parents is strong or strained, these scriptures provide wisdom for fulfilling this important commandment.

111+ Bible Verses About Honoring Your Father and Mother Story Cards

111 shareable story cards · hover to copy, download, or share

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,”

1 Corinthians 13:4

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

Matthew 5:44

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Matthew 22:39

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”

Colossians 3:14

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”

Romans 12:10

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

Romans 12:9

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”

Ephesians 5:25

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

Proverbs 3:5

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Romans 10:17

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Matthew 5:9

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”

Psalm 119:165

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.”

Luke 6:37

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

Proverbs 9:10

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

James 1:5

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

Psalm 119:105

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”

Proverbs 2:6

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

Proverbs 4:7

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1:7

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 12:2

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

John 16:13

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

Genesis 2:24

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”

Ephesians 5:22

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

Ephesians 5:33

KJV

bibleversenow.org

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

Proverbs 22:6

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.”

Ephesians 6:1

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“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

bibleversenow.org

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”

Psalm 127:3

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“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

bibleversenow.org

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”

Proverbs 31:28

KJV

bibleversenow.org

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.”

Proverbs 31:10

KJV

bibleversenow.org

Tap the button to generate a honoring your father and mother verse

Why Read Bible Verses About Honoring Your Father and Mother?

Exodus 20:12 states the fifth commandment plainly: 'Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.' This commandment comes with a promise of blessing and long life. Proverbs 23:22 instructs us to listen to our fathers and not despise our mothers when they are old. Colossians 3:20 calls children to obey parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. These verses reveal that honoring parents is not optional but central to God's design for family and society.

How to Apply These Bible Verses About Honoring Your Father and Mother in Daily Life

Express gratitude to your parents regularly through words and actions. Seek their wisdom and advice, valuing their life experience. Care for aging parents practically and financially as able. If relationships are strained, work toward reconciliation while maintaining healthy boundaries. Speak respectfully about your parents to others. Pray for your parents daily. Teach your children to honor you and their grandparents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to honor your father and mother?
Honoring parents includes obedience in childhood, respect at all ages, caring for them in old age, speaking well of them, seeking their wisdom, and expressing gratitude. It is a lifelong attitude of reverence and care.
How do I honor parents who were abusive?
Honoring does not mean tolerating abuse or pretending it did not happen. You can honor parents by setting healthy boundaries, seeking healing, forgiving (a process), and praying for them while protecting your own wellbeing.
Why is honoring parents so important to God?
Parents are God's delegated authorities in the home. Honoring them teaches respect for authority and prepares us to honor God. This commandment also protects the family unit, which is foundational to society.
Does honoring parents mean always obeying them?
Children are called to obey parents (Colossians 3:20), but adult children honor parents through respect rather than obedience. If parents ask us to sin, Acts 5:29 teaches we must obey God rather than man.

Explore More Topics

Looking for a verse from any theme?

Random Bible Verse Generator