And ye fathers, provoke not your children to
wrath
Neither by words; by unjust and, unreasonable commands; by
contumelious and reproachful language; by frequent and public
chidings, and by indiscreet and passionate expressions: nor by
deeds; preferring one to another; by denying them the necessaries
of life; by not allowing them proper recreation; by severe and
cruel blows, and inhuman usage; by not giving them suitable
education; by an improper disposal of them in marriage; and by
profusely spending their estates, and leaving nothing to them:
not but that parents may, and ought to correct and rebuke their
children; nor are they accountable to them for their conduct; yet
they should take care not to provoke them to wrath, because this
alienates their minds from them, and renders their instructions
and corrections useless, and puts them upon sinful practices;
wrath lets in Satan, and leads to sin against God; and indeed it
is difficult in the best of men to be angry and not sin; see (
Colossians 3:21 ) .
Fathers are particularly mentioned, they being the heads of
families, and are apt to be too severe, as mothers too indulgent.
But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord;
instructing them in the knowledge of divine things, setting them
good examples, taking care to prevent their falling into bad
company, praying with them, and for them, bringing them into the
house of God, under the means of grace, to attend public worship;
all which, under a divine blessing, may be very useful to them;
the example of Abraham is worthy of imitation, ( Genesis
18:19 ) , and the advice of the wise man deserves attention,
( Proverbs
22:6 ) .