The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 275

"For thie is right." , There is e. relationship founded deep in nature between parents e.nd those to whom they have given being. This is associated with an affection which is one of the most beautiful things in our nature. The strength of the parental affectio!l qualifies the parents for being placed in authority over their children. And the filial affection leads the children to look to their parents as the natural source of authority over them. 3. Scriptural confirmation. "Honour thy father and mother." This is the filth commandment, and is wider in its range than obedience to parents. Contents of fifth commandment. (I) <Jhildren are to honour their parents by treating them with proper r~pect. Children arc to respect their parents on the ground of their superior age. We are commanded to rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man. So children should show reverence to their parents because of their years . .And those years are e.ssociated with superior attainments. A big ship leaving for anotber land needs to be cautiously piloted out of the dock and past the other ships in the harbour or river, away beyond the bar, and, it may be, through the channel, until it ie out to the open sea. Men of special knowledge need to be employed for this, that the ship may not get on to the sandbanks or on to the rocks. Ho childrt,n in their inllxperience, their ignorance of the shoals and rocks and seamanship, need to be piloted by the superior wisdom of their parents until they are out to the open sea of life. .And it is right that they should think of thC"mselves with humility, and treat with respect those who are appointed their guides. '!'here are certain natural signs by which this may be shown-a readiness to give place to them, to give them the best seat, to be silent when they speak, a tone of deference (while at the same time of confidence), and a certain courtesy in address which is not inconsistent with familiarity. When Solomon on his throne saw his mother approaching (inferior though she was to him in one relationship), he rose to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and caused a seat to be set for her on his right hand. It would be well for children (who are sometimes inclined to be rude to their parents) to take an example from the wise king. " Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother." "The eye that mocketh at hill father, and de-Spiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the youn~ eagles shall eat it;" that is, something terrible shall overtake him who dares to make light of his parents. (2) Children are to honour their parents by showing gratitude to them. How much are children laid under obligation to their parents! 'fhere was a time when they were entirely helpless, could neither walk nor speak, and, but for the care of parents, they would have perished. .And parental cares for them do not soon cease. How they need to be watched, to be kept out of harm's way I And when they are sick, how they need to be attended to day and night! The mother needs to labour on all day in the house (sometimes when she is not strong) to keep things right for them. .And the father needs to go out and work that he may provide shelter, and clothing, and food, and schooling for them. The children are not in a position to know all the sacrifices their parents make for them, and the amount of thought that is bestowed on them, and the prayers that are put up for them. Ilut they are receiving daily marks of their kindne5s, e.nd they should receive these, not as though they wero entitled to them, but with feelings of gratitude ever fresh. They will never have on earth better friends, greater benefactors, than Christ has given them in their parents . .And let them value the gift. (3) Children are to honour their parents by being obedient to them. This is the point on which stress is laid (as though it summed up tho command) by the apostle. There is nothing by which children can better requite all the trouble that their parents have had on their account than by their obedience. This is the most beautiful flower that there can be in their character as children. It is truA of them (as of those who have not come out of the childish state) that they are creatures of impulse, and inclined to seize upon present gre.tification, without thinking whether it is for their good or not. Parents, as preferring their future happiness to present gratification, must lay commands on them, and the commands should be felt to be easy as coming from those who are at the same time heaping kindness on them. Ohildren should be prompt to obey. They should not wait until they are threatened. They should not yield with a grudge. They should not tbink of opposing their untutored wills and crude wishes to the disciplined wills and ripe ju<lgments of their parents. Let them honour their parenb by giving them all obedience. (4) Children are to hononr !heir parents by being helpful to them. There a.re littlo services which, from an early  276 THE EPISTLE TO 'l'HE EPHESIANS. [OH. VI. 1-24,