Ephesians 6:4

ESV Fathers do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Three verses dedicated to how children should obey their parents, one verse is given specifically for parents. As the head of the household, the father is charged with ultimate responsibility for the way the children are raised. These instructions are meant for both parents.

Fathers are commanded by God not to agitate or irritate their children. The Greek word is ”parorgizete”, which implies exasperation or frustration. This means avoiding unfair and cruel behavior, or blatant favoritism. Godly fathers are not to push their children toward anger. Anger can sometimes be a healthy emotion yet can often lead to sin (Ephesians 4:26).

Instead, parents have and are given a positive command to "bring them up”. Christians are expected to be highly involved in raising their own children. Two areas are mentioned. First, includes discipline. Discipline involved learning self–control and the ability to restrain from personal desires in order to do what is right. Second, the "instruction of the Lord." We should be involved in teaching our children about God's ways through both education and example.

Scriptures teach us that a father and mother should trains or educate their child or children they love (Proverbs 3:12), instructs him and her (Proverbs 13:1), and provide for all their children (Proverbs 19:14).

Ephesians 6:1–4 gives instructions for children to obey their parents, and for parents to be careful how they raise their children. Children who learn respect for proper authority will have a better chance at success in life. And obedience to parents is the morally right way to behave. Parents, however, are to be careful not to antagonize their children. Instead of pushing them towards anger or frustration parents should give their children loving, God-centered teaching and discipline.

Paul gives specific instructions to children and fathers, stressing obedience and patience, respectively. He also directs servants to serve with sincerity and good intentions, as if they were working for Christ. Masters are warned not to be harsh: the same God who judges all will not give them preference over those they supervised. All Christians are called on to use the tools given us by God for surviving the attacks of the devil. These are imagined as pieces of a suit of armor. Paul ends this letter in his typical style, with prayer, blessings, and news about his plans.