Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 6:2

"Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise)," — Ephesians 6:2 (ASV)

The fifth commandment is quoted as confirmation of v.1 (Exodus 20:12). Paul appeals to what the children had already learned, for their Christian education began with the Decalogue. To “honor” (GK 5506) is more than to obey; it means to respect and esteem.

This is said to be “the first commandment with a promise.” If we connect “first” and “promise,” a difficulty arises because the fifth commandment is not the first of the ten to which a promise is attached. The second commandment against making idols also contains one. We should therefore separate “with a promise” from “first” and insert a comma after “commandment.” But in what sense can this commandment be regarded as “the first”? It seems most likely that “first” here means first in importance. The rabbis regarded this commandment as the weightiest of all. Perhaps Paul meant to convey the fact that this is the most important commandment for children. Another likely explanation is to note the absence of the article before “first,” suggesting that this is a primary commandment, i.e., one of foremost significance.