The Forty Third Sermon, the First on the Sixth Chapter - Ephesians 6:1-4
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-4
Those who come to listen to sermons must not only hear new things but also be stirred to do their duty. They must be awakened when they are sluggish and heed the good and holy warnings. If there is stubbornness and malice in them, they should be rebuked. This is what St. Paul tells us, and it is something that should be etched in our hearts. It is common knowledge that children should be obedient and subject to their fathers and mothers. Parents should be gentle in their guidance, treating their children kindly without excessive harshness.
However, sometimes parents become overly domineering, leading their children to their own destruction. At other times, they become too hottempered and lack restraint, failing to deal with their children fairly. Children, on the other hand, often disregard their parents and show disrespect, acting as if they hold them in contempt. There are few who maintain self-discipline and offer the proper reverence to their fathers and mothers, even though they are bound to do so by God.
Therefore, when we see St. Paul exhorting the faithful to such common things, we can recognize the stubbornness of our own nature. These are things we should not need to be reminded of; each of us should be inclined to do their duty without being prompted. However, our human nature is so frail that, despite knowing what is right, we struggle to commit ourselves to it. So, let us strive to overcome our own vices, for it is not enough to have learned what we ought to do; we must also engage in the battle within ourselves. After we understand God's will and what is right and proper, we must introspect and ensure that we do not regress. We must restrain and discipline ourselves, recognizing that instruction alone is insufficient. We must exert ourselves forcefully, suppressing our wicked desires, no matter how difficult it may be.
Now, let us turn to what is said here: "Children, obey your parents." By using the word "honor" in His law, God intends to convey that children should show both submission and reverence to their fathers and mothers. A child might obey and submit but still harbour a spiteful, proud, and disdainful heart towards their parents. However, when the Lord commands us to honor our fathers and mothers, it encompasses reverence. Furthermore, it implies performing all the duties required of children, which includes aiding them and providing them with comfort and support to the best of their abilities. Children should understand that they are obligated to serve their parents and be subject to them in all things to the best of their abilities. They should not consider themselves free, for their entire service is owed to those through whom they came into the world.
St. Paul explicitly states, "in the Lord," indicating that there are two aspects binding us to this submission. First, there is the order of nature. God has ordained that fathers and mothers should have authority over their children in this earthly life. Even among the heathen, those without the guidance of the law or the teachings we receive through St. Paul's words, children who were disobedient to their fathers and mothers were scorned. This was universally understood, and anyone, young or old, could recognize it. They could not escape God's judgment, for they were already condemned in this world.
As I mentioned earlier, this concept is deeply ingrained in the hearts of all of us and as clear as day. Furthermore, God, out of His own will, has ordained and confirmed it for our benefit. Therefore, we must follow this path. Since we know that God is on our side in this matter of honouring our fathers and mothers, we are even more without excuse if we do not submit ourselves with meekness and humility. Even those among the heathen who followed the natural order of things, despite being blind to the truth, will stand as our judges. If they, without the guidance and advantages we possess, have managed to fulfill their duties, how much more should we, who have received greater knowledge and grace, obey the command?
This is what St. Paul intended when he said that children ought to obey their fathers and mothers "in the Lord." He meant that it is right and just. In other words, no one gains anything by resisting in this matter. We must acknowledge that human pride is so deeply ingrained in our nature that everyone desires to be a lord over others. Submission is difficult for us until the Lord, through His Holy Spirit, transforms us into humble beings. That's why the Spirit of God is often referred to as the spirit of meekness and gentleness. Pride turns people into wild beasts and puffs them up like toads, making it impossible for them to humble themselves. St. Paul, recognizing this deep-rooted vice in our nature and desiring to correct it, teaches us that it is right and fitting for each person to strive for humility and submission. Even if there is resistance within us that refuses to be subjected to our superiors, the rightness of God's rule must prevail.
When St. Paul states that it is "right" or "rightful," he directs us back to God's authority. In essence, he is saying that when God has spoken, there is no need for further scrutiny; people must close their mouths and obey. We should be certain that His will is a reliable and infallible standard, one that we are not allowed to deviate from to the right or the left. This is an important reminder, as we often see people, even when they intend to do good and have a sincere zeal for it, assuming wisdom in their own judgment. When it comes to our self-guidance and self-governance, we have a tendency to place our own understanding above the Word of God.
Given our inclination to be fond of our own opinions and presumptuous in attributing authority to our own intellect, it is crucial for us to pay close attention to what is said here. We must have the discernment and wisdom to recognize and accept what God has commanded and approved. When we have God's approval, we must be content with it. Even if we don't understand the reason behind it or find it pleasing to our own preferences, we should not ask why or argue against God when He forbids something that may not seem entirely evil in our eyes. We should avoid such inappropriate and devilish recklessness, and instead, follow what St. Paul tells us here, which is that everything God has spoken through His Word is right, and we must accept it without objection. The true test of our faith and obedience lies in our willingness to accept something as good and valid, even when we think it should not have been commanded or forbidden because God has spoken it.
In this context, we have the commandment of the law: "Honor thy father and thy mother." Additionally, it is accompanied by the declaration that this is the first commandment with a promise. This implies that God intended, through all means, to lead us to the subjection we should offer to our fathers and mothers. It should be sufficient for us that this is pleasing to God. Moreover, since He encourages us to serve our fathers and mothers through His gentle promises, it should incline us to embrace subjection even more readily. Therefore, St. Paul, after making it clear that we must be subject to our fathers and mothers, unless we want to rebel against God and oppose His ordained order, reminds us that we would be excessively hard-hearted and obstinate if God's command and His gracious promise did not move us to do what He desires.
And if indeed we are moved and even softened by this commandment, then it can be said that the devil no longer holds dominion over us and no longer possesses our hearts. What he is saying is that this commandment comes with a special promise, which none of the other commandments of the law have. The promise is that we shall live long upon the earth, and not just live long but live in prosperity because God will bless us if we honour those who were the means by which we came into the world. On the other hand, he also reveals the duty of fathers and mothers towards their children. This is to treat them gently, not to let them off completely or give them free rein to do as they please, but to be gentle in their dealings with them and not dishearten them. By "nourish," St. Paul means that they should deal gently with them and show them love. However, this word also implies correction and discipline. This is so that children may be kept in check and not allowed to become unruly. They should be brought up in the fear of God, knowing that God has given them overseers to guide their lives. This is the essence of what St. Paul is conveying here.
To fully understand this text, we must first recognise that, strictly speaking, we have no father but God alone. It is true that occasionally He is referred to as the father of our souls and spirits, as mentioned in the Epistle to the Hebrews. However, even in terms of our physical bodies, the honour and title of being called "Father" do not belong to any mortal creature. We are fashioned in such a way that our bodies are the result of God's marvellous power, and no mortal truly deserves the title of father. Nonetheless, God has chosen to allow those who beget us, those through whom we enter this world, to be referred to as our fathers. God has granted them a share in the honour that belongs to Him alone. It is important to remember that when we contend with our fathers and mothers, we are, in essence, warring against God. He has placed His mark upon them, designating them as His representatives. Therefore, it is undeniable that by honouring our fathers and mothers, we are offering the service that God demands of us, and that we owe Him. Conversely, if we disrespect or shirk our duties towards our fathers and mothers, we explicitly offend God. This is not only because we violate His commandment but also because we hold His Majesty in contempt. Our fathers and mothers bear a certain mark, as mentioned earlier, and this is why the law imposes severe punishments on those who are disobedient to their parents. In the law, it is decreed that anyone who despises their father or mother, utters curses against them, or inflicts harm upon them shall be stoned to death.
When children are so disobedient as to rebel against their fathers and mothers, God deems them to be monstrous and infectious to defile the whole earth. Furthermore, He will not tolerate prolonged deliberation for those who rise against their parents. Once the father and mother have testified, "Look, our son cannot be reformed," immediately thereafter, let him be stoned, and let the world be rid of such an infection. God declares this to emphasise that when children refuse to submit to their fathers and mothers, it is a heinous and dreadful crime. It is tantamount to attempting to overthrow the entire order of nature. Therefore, our starting point for deriving true benefit from this teaching must be this.
This is also why St. Paul states that we should be subject to our fathers and mothers in God. He means that what pagans and unbelievers understood dimly should be much clearer to us. Pagans did not fully grasp the reason why children should submit and obey their fathers and mothers, except that it seemed to be a matter of equity and right. They couldn't comprehend that God is our Father and requires this subjection from us. In contrast, we, who know that our Creator is God and that He is our Father, and that this status belongs to Him, must conclude that we ought to obey our fathers and mothers, even in God. We should view it as if we are honouring God Himself through our obedience to those who represent His person and majesty here on Earth.
I must reiterate a point I made earlier – when we know God's will, we should restrain ourselves and not dare to argue against God or question why He likes or dislikes something. We should accept His will as the ultimate righteousness and equity. And where do we find this will? We find it in His Word. When St. Paul sought to prove God's will, he didn't look to the heavens above the clouds but rather to the thunderous things contained in the law. Therefore, let us dedicate our minds entirely to seeking out what is pleasing and acceptable to God as revealed in His law, the prophets, and the gospel. This is true wisdom. Let us beware of the devilish arrogance of being wise in our own eyes and questioning, "How should this be? Why should that be?" Instead, let us simply obey our God.
Additionally, there is a promise here. One might question why St. Paul says it is the first commandment of promise when a promise is also added to the second commandment of the law. In the second commandment, it is stated, "I am the Lord who shows mercy to thousands of generations to those who love Me and keep My commandments." This promise is much more extensive than the one mentioned in this text.
How then does St. Paul say that it is the first commandment with promise? The answer is straightforward. God's promise of showing mercy to a thousand generations in the first table is not restricted to that one commandment but extends to the entire law. It's as if God is saying, "There is nothing better for you than to submit yourselves to My will, for otherwise, you will be in a cursed state. And as proof of this, do not all the blessings you hope for come to you through My free goodness alone? I will not fail those who serve Me and seek to honour Me; they will continually find that I am a merciful God."
As I mentioned before, our Lord's intention is to encourage us to obey His commandments and ordinances willingly. Thus, it is not a specific promise exclusive to any one commandment but rather a promise that St. Paul speaks of here when it says, "Honor your father and mother, that you may live long upon the earth." It is a unique promise that pertains only to that commandment. Therefore, St. Paul rightly states that it is the first commandment with such a special promise, one that respects no other commandment.
Now, let us consider the promise itself. God says that those who obey shall live long. From this, we can infer that this present life should not be disregarded because it is a testament to God's fatherly goodness and love towards us. It is no small matter that God created us and placed us in this world, not just to live here as animals but to reign as His children and have dominion over all other creatures.
God's goodness and mercy extend even to animals such as oxen and horses. When He causes the earth to yield hay for cattle, it reveals His wonderful goodness towards these creatures. However, in the case of humans, there is a deeper reason. We enjoy the abundance and richness of the earth's fruits because God has poured out His boundless goodness upon it.
When we look to the heavens, we see the sun providing light, the moon and stars serving their purposes. Although the heathen worshipped them, these celestial bodies exist to fulfill a service. When we look down to the earth, we find many good things appointed for our use. While God provides for animals, all ultimately benefits us. God's care for the beasts serves mankind.
Therefore, this present life should not be scorned. God has placed us here as if on a journey towards our eternal rest and the heavenly inheritance. If this present life serves as our guide to the glory prepared for us and purchased by the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is of immeasurable value.
In this way, we see that it is a great benefit and a gift to be valued by us. It is true that there are so many hardships in our life that it might be better never to have been born than to endure the constant trials we face on Earth. If a person considers how wretched life can be in itself and how it is subject to numerous griefs, sorrows, pains, and vexations, they might conclude that it is preferable never to have left their mother's womb than to enter into such a sea of confusion as we find on Earth.
Nevertheless, when we weigh everything, we will discover that God's goodness surpasses all the chastisements He sends us for our sins. This life, in its essence, should be nothing but happiness and rest if it were not for God allowing us to reap the consequences of our sins and transgressions. However, even when God occasionally afflicts us with barrenness, frost that kills our vines, excessive rain that drowns our crops, or drought that parches the land, or famine, plagues, diseases, and other afflictions, these are all reminders from God of our sins. They are intended to humble us, to make us aware of our weaknesses, and ultimately, to prepare us to renounce the world more willingly.
Even when we gather all the afflictions, troubles, and griefs of this world into one heap, we can still see that God allows us to taste the goodness of His providence by providing sustenance. This present life serves as a testament to His love. While we might easily falter in the face of temptations and trials, God provides us with comforts to alleviate His strictness towards us. Even when He chastises us, He always leaves room for His mercy, as He states in Habakkuk.
Moreover, God promised prosperity in this life to those who obey their fathers and mothers. It is true that Moses was referring to the land of Canaan when addressing the people of Israel. However, even today, wherever we set foot, we are under God's care. Therefore, we should all hope for the blessings promised of old to the Jews, to be brought into the land that God has prepared as our inheritance.
One might raise questions about why some disobedient individuals live while some good-natured, obedient ones die. Does this not seem to contradict God's promise in His law? The answer is that God does not wrong those whom He calls out of this world to take them to Himself. Also, temporal promises do not always play out uniformly. For instance, God promises to prosper those who serve and love Him with a sincere heart. However, we see many poor believers who are miserable in the world, despised, and rejected by all. In such cases, we must remember that God always attaches the condition of giving us what He deems expedient for us.
There are two types of God's promises, and it's essential to distinguish between them. Some of God's promises pertain to the salvation of our souls, such as His mercy, forgiveness of our sins, His guidance against Satan's temptations, and His strengthening us to resist temptations. In these matters, we must firmly believe that God will fulfill His promises, even exceeding our understanding or imagination, concerning our eternal salvation.
On the other hand, there are promises related to our temporal existence, intended to ease our earthly suffering. In these, God may grant us some relief but not necessarily remove all our hardships. He knows what is best for us, so we should not interpret these promises too literally, expecting Him to fulfill every word to the letter. Instead, we should remember that He acts in our best interest and benefit.
Now, if God takes someone out of this world at an early age, it is because He deems it to be for their welfare and salvation. This does not mean He has failed to fulfill His promise, as some may have obeyed their parents dutifully and yet were taken away from this world. God has His own reasons, which are hidden in His secret wisdom, and we should not question His decisions. We cannot fully understand His ways, but we know that this world is a temporary pilgrimage, and life on Earth is a journey leading us to heavenly rest. Therefore, we should not lament excessively when God delivers us from the multitude of earthly miseries and brings us to a state of perfect happiness awaiting us in heaven.
No matter the circumstances, we should keep in mind what is mentioned here: when God prolongs our stay in this world, it serves as a token of His fatherly love towards us. Consequently, we ought to be mindful of the days we live in this life. Moses, in his song, also speaks of the wisdom in counting our days and reflecting on the brevity of life, urging us to hasten our journey towards heaven. Therefore, counting our days serves a dual purpose, which is not contradictory but complementary.
And when we reach the age of understanding, recognising that God has created us for His glory in this world, we must also acknowledge how we have dishonoured Him. We should reflect continually on the past, contemplating how we have spent our time. This reflection should be a daily and monthly practice. As each year ends, let us consider that God has bound us to Him in numerous ways. Have we truly appreciated His countless blessings throughout our lives? Sadly, our minds cannot fathom them all, not even a fraction. Therefore, we should review all our years and days, serving as a reminder to love and honour God when we realise how deeply indebted we are to Him for sustaining us and bearing patiently with our multitude of sins. Despite our countless faults, His goodness persists.
So, we should embrace this doctrine that this present life deserves our gratitude. God allows us to taste His fatherly goodness by maintaining us, extending His boundless love towards us, and transforming His corrections into our benefit. He also provides us with His word and sacraments, affirming His intention to draw us closer to Himself. Recognising our calling and purpose — to pass through this world and inherit heaven — we realise the worth of this present life when we acknowledge the blessings God bestows upon us here.
It is essential to note that prosperity and well-being in this world are contingent on God's favour. When we are told, "that thou mayest live long and fair," it emphasises that longevity alone is not the ultimate goal. We must also experience God's blessing. Wretched are the unbelievers who fail to comprehend this truth. They may live long, but what does their life amount to? Everything they possess may contribute to their condemnation. Their riches, joy, and pleasures could further provoke God's wrath, and their wealth may only magnify their wickedness, leading to greater damnation. Thus, life is truly wretched if we cannot discern God's goodness within it.
Moreover, we must move on to the second point, which is that those who are disobedient to God and their superiors find no rest; instead, they have a gnawing worm in their consciences, perpetually uneasy and on the brink of destruction. This demonstrates that there is no true well-being in this present life unless we are blessed by God. Although this diversity may not always be apparent outwardly, the faithful know within themselves that God provides everything they lack. Thus, God promises not only long life but also His blessing. It is as if He is saying, "You shall not live solely to endure suffering, damnation, theft, torment, afflictions, miseries, and troubles, or to grind your teeth in agony. You shall also taste My goodness. While I do not exempt you from the trials, conflicts, and griefs of this world, you will always find some comfort. You will feel that I have not forgotten you, that you are My children, and that all your sorrows and grief will ultimately turn to your benefit and welfare. While the devil seeks to keep you from Me and turn you away from your ultimate happiness, I will draw you to it through the afflictions you endure in this world."
Therefore, what we must bear in mind is that being filled with the benefits that God continually bestows upon us in this world and living in comfort are not the sole objectives. We must also recognise that it is God who enables us to prosper, provides us with life, sustains us in it, and supplies all that is necessary and expedient. Let us imprint this truth deeply in our hearts.
If we desire to experience the fulfilment of God's promise, each of us must diligently fulfil our own duties. While I cannot address all the responsibilities outlined here for children, fathers, and mothers in detail at this moment, I will reserve them for another occasion. In brief, we must understand that God directs us towards our duty with the sole purpose of seeking our well-being and benefit. He intends for us to willingly accept the yoke He places upon our shoulders. Although it may be burdensome to be subject to those whom God has appointed as our superiors, let us first acknowledge our shortcomings. Then, let us submit to what He commands and imparts, assured that He seeks our welfare and will lead us through gentleness rather than severity. Let this make us more obedient.
Moreover, since all forms of authority are ultimately ordained by God, let us recognise that we cannot oppose them without rebelling against His Majesty and turning against Him.
On the contrary, if we willingly accept subjection, we can be assured that it is an acceptable offering to Him, and we should not doubt that our efforts will be in vain in His service. God will not reward us based on our merits or as though we have earned it, for we are obligated to obey Him in all that He commands. We should not think that He owes us anything or that we can bind Him to us in any way. However, out of His abundant goodness, He deigns to bless us and make us feel His favor when we diligently and reverently follow the things He has ordained in His Word. This is the reward we should hope for from God's hand. But this is not as the papacy claims, where they believe God has promised with them and therefore they deserve it. They falsely presume that God is beholden to them because He has willingly bound Himself. However, this is all due to God's free and undeserved goodness. We must not fall into such delusions but understand that although God is in no way obligated to us, He graciously draws us to Himself through kindness, so that we may serve Him with willing and cheerful hearts.
He calls us to Him through various means, and the more stubborn we are, the worse it is if we do not willingly submit ourselves entirely to Him, seeking nothing but to conform ourselves to His good pleasure and will, which is our primary guide. We must renounce our own desires. Now, let us humble ourselves before the majesty of our good God, acknowledging our faults, and pray that He may be pleased to forgive them and cleanse us for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. May He guide us through His Holy Spirit so that we may be reformed to obey His Holy Will and follow the commandments He has given us as our rule. In doing so, we will demonstrate ourselves to be His true children, just as He has graciously revealed Himself as our gentle and loving Father. With this in mind, let us all say, "Almighty God, Heavenly Father, etc."