Biblical Admonition on Fatherhood and Its Responsibilities
Biblical admonitions regarding fatherhood emphasize the father's role as the head of the family, likening his authority to that of God over creation [1]. This patriarchal structure, evident from early biblical narratives, established the father's blessing as conferring significant benefit and his curse as bringing injury [1].
Fathers are given several key responsibilities. They are to love their children and bring them to Christ [2]. A primary duty is to train children in God's ways, instructing them in His word and teaching them about His judgments and miraculous works [2]. This includes commanding them to obey God [2]. The book of Proverbs highlights the importance of correction, stating that "the rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother" [3]. Conversely, a "foolish son is the calamity of his father" [4].
The father's role extends to providing for his children [2]. Maimonides, in the Mishneh Torah, states that a man is required to provide for his children's maintenance, at least until they reach the age of six, with some interpretations extending this obligation further [11]. This provision is seen as distinct from the marriage bond, meaning a father is liable for support even if children are born outside of marriage [11].
Beyond physical provision and instruction, fathers are called to bless their children [2]. The apostle Paul, in his letters, uses the analogy of a father admonishing his "beloved sons" to describe his own pastoral care, emphasizing that correction should be given without provoking wrath [6, 9]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Ephesians 6:4 notes that while the command to "provoke not" is given to fathers, it includes mothers, with fathers being particularly prone to passion and mothers to over-indulgence. This passage also distinguishes between "nurture" (discipline through chastening) and "admonition" (training through words) [7].
The Bible also illustrates the profound impact of a father's actions on his descendants. For instance, the king of Babylon was prophesied to have no children as a sign of disgrace, partly "because of their father’s sins," indicating a joint responsibility within the family for actions [10]. God Himself is frequently depicted as a father to the fatherless, providing mercy, help, and executing judgment on those who oppress them [5, 8]. This divine example underscores the importance of fatherly care and protection.
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Father — The position and authority of the father as the head of the family are expressly assumed and sanctioned in Scripture, as a likeness of that of the Almighty over his creatures. It lies of course at the root of that so-called patriarchal government, (Genesis 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:3) which was introductory to the more definite systems which followed, and which in part, but not wholly, superseded it. The father's blessing was regarded as conferring special benefit, but his malediction special injury, on those on whom it fell, (Genesis 9:25,27; 27:27-40; 48:15,20”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Parents — Receive their children from God -- Ge 33:5; 1Sa 1:27; Ps 127:3. Their duty to their children is To love them. -- Tit 2:4. To bring them to Christ. -- Mt 19:13,14. To train them up for God. -- Pr 22:6; Eph 6:4. To instruct them in God's word. -- De 4:9; 11:19; Isa 38:19. To tell them of God's judgments. -- Joe 1:3. To tell them of the miraculous works of God. -- Ex 10:2; Ps 78:4. To command them to obey God. -- De 32:46; 1Ch 28:9. To bless them. -- Ge 48:15; Heb 11:20. To pity them. -- Ps 103:13. To provide for them. -- Job 42:15; 2Co 12:14; 1Ti 5:8. To rule”
- Proverbs “The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother. -- Proverbs 29:15”
- Proverbs “A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping. -- Proverbs 19:13”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fatherless — Find mercy in God -- Ho 14:3. God will Be a father of. -- Ps 68:5. Be a helper of. -- Ps 10:14. Hear the cry of. -- Ex 22:23. Execute the judgment of. -- De 10:18; Ps 10:18. Punish those who oppress. -- Ex 22:24; Isa 10:1-3; Mal 3:5. Punish those who judge not. -- Jer 5:28,29. Visit in affliction -- Jas 1:27. Let them share in our blessings -- De 14:29. Defend -- Ps 82:3; Isa 1:17. Wrong not, in judgment -- De 24:17. Defraud not -- Pr 23:10. Afflict not -- Ex 22:22. Oppress not -- Zec 7:10. Do no violence to -- Jer 22:3. Blessedness of taking care of -- ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 4:14: warn--rather, "admonish" as a father uses "admonition" to "beloved sons," not provoking them to wrath (Eph 6:4). The Corinthians might well be "ashamed" at the disparity of state between the father, Paul, and his spiritual children themselves.”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 6:4: fathers--including mothers; the fathers are specified as being the fountains of domestic authority. Fathers are more prone to passion in relation to their children than mothers, whose fault is rather over-indulgence. provoke not--irritate not, by vexatious commands, unreasonable blame, and uncertain temper [ALFORD]. Col 3:21, "lest they be discouraged." nurture--Greek, "discipline," namely, training by chastening in act where needed (Job 5:17; Heb 12:7). admonition--training by words (Deu 6:7; "catechise," Pro 22:6, Margin), whether of encourag”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 103:13: 103:13 The Lord is like a father to his children: This analogy forms the basis for Jesus’ teaching about God’s fatherhood (see Matt 5:43-48; 6:1; 10:19-20; 12:50; Luke 6:36; 12:29-32; John 8:31-59; 15:1-8; see also 2 Sam 7:14; Jer 3:19; 31:9; Mal 1:6; 2 Cor 6:16-18).”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 4:14: Here Paul challenges their regard to him as their father. He tells them, 1. That what he had written was not for their reproach, but admonition; not with the gall of an enemy, but the bowels of a father (Co1 4:14): I write not to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. Note, In reproving for sin, we should have a tender regard to the reputation, as well as the reformation, of the sinner. We should aim to distinguish between them and their sins, and take care not to discover any spite against them ourselves, nor expose them to contempt and reproach”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 14:21: 14:21 As another sign of disgrace, the king of Babylon would have no children to provide a future legacy. • because of their father’s sins: God looks at individuals in relationship to their families and their people. Here, the Babylonian king’s children had joint responsibility for their father’s actions (see also Deut 5:9-10).”
- Mishneh Torah (Maimonides) (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishneh Torah (Maimonides), Mishneh Torah%2C Marriage 12:14: Just as a man is required to provide his wife with her subsistence, he is required to provide for the maintenance of his children, both male and female, until they reach the age of six. 25 Rabbenu Nissim maintains that this obligation is incumbent on a father from the Torah itself, as an extension of his obligation to provide for his wife. Rabbenu Asher, however, maintains that the father's obligation is independent of the marriage bond. Even if he fathers children outside marriage, he is liable for their support. Afterwards, he shou”