Lord’s Day 39
Q104. What does God require in the fifth commandment?
That I honor, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; that I obey and submit to them, as is proper, when they correct and discipline me; and also that I be patient with their failings—for through them God chooses to rule us.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Exodus 21:17
“And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.”
Proverbs 1:8
“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:”
Proverbs 4:1
“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.”
Romans 13:1–2
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”
Ephesians 5:21–22
“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:1–9
“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. Servants, be obedient to them that are masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”
Colossians 3:18–4:1
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children , lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Masters, give unto servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.”
Proverbs 20:20
“Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.”
Proverbs 23:22
“Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.”
1 Peter 2:18
“Servants, subject to masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.”
Matthew 22:21
“When they had heard , they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.”
Romans 13:1–8
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute ; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”
Ephesians 6:1–9
“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. Servants, be obedient to them that are masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”
Colossians 3:18–21
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children , lest they be discouraged.”
Modernized Commentary — Zacharias Ursinus (1616)
The Fourth Commandment has two parts: a commandment and the reason for that commandment. The commandment itself is, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy; on it you shall do no manner of work, etc. This commandment also divides into two parts: the first is moral and permanent, namely that the Sabbath be kept holy; the second is ceremonial and temporary, namely that the seventh day specifically be kept holy.
That the first part is moral and permanent becomes clear when we examine the purpose and grounds of the commandment, both of which are permanent by their very nature. The purpose of the commandment is to maintain the public worship of God in the church, or more precisely, to ensure the ongoing preservation and use of the church's ministry. God intends that a public ministry should exist in the church at all times, and that the faithful should gather in assemblies where His doctrine is preached.
The specific goals God aims to accomplish through this are as follows: