Meaning of Colossians 3:20

This verse from Colossians 3:20 establishes a direct and profound link between the obedience of children to their parents and the pleasure of God. Paul, writing to the church in Colossae, frames filial obedience not merely as a societal expectation or a moral duty to one's earthly guardians, but as an act of worship and a demonstration of spiritual alignment. The imperative "obey your parents in everything" is strong and comprehensive, implying a willingness to submit to parental guidance and authority in all aspects of life, provided these directives do not contradict God's higher law. This obedience is presented as inherently pleasing to the Lord, suggesting that a well-ordered family structure, characterized by respect and submission within its natural hierarchy, reflects the very order God intends for His creation and His church.

Context and Background

Colossians 3:18-25 is part of Paul's section on "Household Codes" or "Domestic Instructions" within the New Testament epistles. These codes, common in the Greco-Roman world, addressed the relationships between various members of a household: wives and husbands, children and parents, slaves and masters. However, Paul consistently reinterprets these social structures through the lens of Christ. Instead of merely dictating duties, he grounds them in the believer's new identity in Christ and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The instruction to children follows the exhortations to wives to submit to their husbands and precedes the instructions to slaves to obey their masters. This placement underscores that familial and social relationships are arenas where the new life in Christ is to be lived out.

Key Themes and Messages

The central theme is filial obedience as a spiritual discipline. The verse emphasizes the completeness of this obedience ("in everything") and its divine approval ("for this pleases the Lord"). This highlights:

• Respect for Authority: Obedience to parents is presented as an extension of respecting divinely ordained authority, mirroring the respect due to God.
• Holistic Living: The instruction is not limited to specific duties but encompasses a general disposition of submission to parental guidance.
• God's Pleasure: The ultimate motivation for obedience is not fear or reward, but the desire to honor and please God. This elevates the act from a secular duty to a sacred one.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For children, this verse calls for a posture of humility and respect towards their parents, acknowledging their God-given role. It's about recognizing that parental guidance, when not in direct conflict with biblical principles, is a means through which God can shape and direct their lives. This obedience fosters character development, teaching discipline, self-control, and a recognition of the common good within a family unit. In a broader sense, it cultivates a teachable spirit, which is essential for spiritual growth and discipleship, preparing individuals to submit to spiritual leaders and the broader community of faith.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The principle of honoring parents is deeply rooted in Old Testament law. The Fifth Commandment, "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12), establishes the foundational importance of this relationship. Jesus Himself upheld this commandment, rebuking the Pharisees for their traditions that allowed individuals to circumvent their obligations to their parents (Matthew 15:4-6). Paul's instruction in Colossians builds upon this established divine mandate, integrating it into the new covenant framework. The idea that actions pleasing to God extend to our earthly relationships is a recurring motif, demonstrating that faith is not confined to private devotion but impacts every sphere of life.

Analogies

• A well-tuned orchestra: Just as each instrument plays its part according to the conductor's direction to create harmonious music, children obeying parents contributes to the harmony and well-being of the family unit, pleasing the "conductor" of life, God.
• Apprentice and Master Craftsman: An apprentice learns by diligently following the instructions of a master craftsman. Similarly, children learn life's lessons and develop character by obeying their parents, who are God's appointed guides in their formative years.
• Seed and soil: A seed, when planted in fertile and well-tended soil, has the best chance to grow and bear fruit. Children who are obedient and respectful create an environment conducive to their own healthy spiritual and personal development, nurtured by their parents.

Relation to Other Verses

• Ephesians 6:1-3: This parallel passage in Ephesians reiterates the same command: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise—'so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'" The addition of "in the Lord" in Ephesians further underscores the spiritual dimension of this obedience.
• Proverbs 1:8-9: "Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck." This wisdom literature highlights the value and blessing of parental guidance.
• Colossians 3:17: This verse immediately precedes the instruction on children and parents, stating, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." This overarching principle of doing everything for the glory of God directly informs the specific instruction on filial obedience.