Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Colossians 3:20

"Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord." — Colossians 3:20 (ASV)

The one obligation Paul places on children is obedience to their parents. “Obey” (GK 5634) implies a readiness to hear and carry out orders; a child’s ongoing responsibility is to listen to and carry out the instructions of his or her parents. Paul says two things about this obedience. (1) It is to be complete: “in everything.” Paul, of course, sets this in a Christian context. He is dealing with the Christian home and presupposes Christian attitudes on the part of parents. (2) The obedience of children to their parents “pleases the Lord.” In the Christian order, just as in the order under the law or in the natural realm, obedience to parents pleases God. The obedience of children is not, therefore, based on accidental factors, nor does it depend essentially on the parents’ character. It is an obligation grounded in the very nature of the relationship between parents and children. It is a thing that is right in itself . It is therefore especially pleasing to God when believing children are careful to fulfill this duty.