And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
The primary responsibility for bringing up children is assigned not to the mother, the church, the schools or “a village”, but to fathers. A lot depends on how well Dad does his “homework”.
Childrearing is a shared, cooperative, coordinated responsibility of both parents. Mother has an unquestionably profound influence on the children and their bringing up, but the character of the father and the way he exercises his primary responsibility affects her influence for the better or the worse.
Paul may have singled out fathers for special attention and specific warning, due to their greater proneness to provoke children to anger.
As Paul puts the “parental game plan” on the board, he assumes that fathers are already practicing the basic blocking-and-tackling fundamentals that he has explained elsewhere in this letter. Father, do you have sound fundamentals?
Father, do you have the fundamental of salvation by faith alone in Christ alone? Have you through faith in Christ been saved, made alive with Him, redeemed through His blood, forgiven of your trespasses, Christ dwelling in your heart, strengthening you in the inner man by His Spirit (Ephesians 2:5-9, 1:7 and 3:16, 17)?
Father, are you demonstrating the fundamental of a growing maturity in grace, growing up in all aspects into Him, no longer easily tossed and tricked by every wind of doctrine, laying aside the old self and putting on the new self (Ephesians 4:14, 15, 22-24)?
Father, are you practicing thefundamental of a walk of love, self-denying, self-giving, affectionate love (Ephesians 4:31-32; 5:1-2)–especially love for your wife (Ephesians 5:25, 28, 29)?
Father, are you making progress with thefundamental of a walk of light, pursuing purity with your mouth, your eyes, your affections (Ephesians 5:3-14)?
Father, are you exercising the fundamental of a walk of wisdom, learning what is pleasing to the Lord, seeking to understand His will as He has revealed it in the Scriptures (Ephesians 5:10, 15-17)?
Father, are you applying the fundamental of depending upon Him for your strength and ability to perform the duty He has assigned you (Ephesians 6:10)?
