'Honour thy father and thy mother' is the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12) and the first with a promise. Ephesians 6:2 — 'the first commandment with promise.' Honor is owed to parents — including imperfect parents, including in adulthood. This guide walks through how.
Exodus 20:12 — 'Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land.' Ephesians 6:1-3 — children obey, all of us honor, with promise. Mark 7:9-13 — Jesus rebuked those who used 'Corban' to avoid honoring parents financially. Honor is a lifelong obligation.
Ephesians 6:1 — 'Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.' Obedience is the form of honor for those still under parents.
See Ephesians 6:1 →Obedience to parental commands ends in adulthood, but honor doesn't. Respect, care, and presence continue.
Honor includes how you speak — to them and about them. Don't mock or shame, even in private.
1 Timothy 5:4 — providing for aged parents is 'good and acceptable before God.' Care for them practically.
Imperfect parents still deserve honor. Forgive what needs forgiving. Don't carry resentment.
Honor doesn't mean enabling abuse. You can honor from a safe distance, with prayer and respectful refusal of harm.
To honor parents means to value, respect, care for, speak well of, and provide for them. For children at home, it includes obedience (Ephesians 6:1). For adults, obedience to parental commands ends, but respect, care, and provision continue (1 Timothy 5:4). The Bible treats this as a lifelong obligation.
Yes — though the form changes. Adult honor includes respect, care, regular contact, providing when needed (1 Timothy 5:4), and speaking well of them. Adult children are no longer required to obey parental commands, but the obligation to honor remains.
Honor doesn't require enabling harm. You can honor from a safe distance — through prayer, respect in speech, not slandering, refusing vengeance. Some adult children must maintain limited contact for safety. This is wise, not dishonoring. Talk to a pastor or Christian counselor for guidance in difficult cases.