Bible Verses About Parenting

Scripture takes parenting seriously — its joys, its weight, its long horizons. These verses about parenting steady mothers and fathers in a calling that asks for everything.

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” — Ephesians 6:4 (KJV)

Provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. A prohibition and a commission in one sentence, addressed to fathers.

“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” — Proverbs 13:24 (KJV)

He that spareth his rod hateth his son, but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. Betimes means early — the proverb is about timing as much as method.

“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” — Proverbs 22:15 (KJV)

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child — the assumption behind the book's correction sayings. It sets expectations rather than blames the child.

“If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” — Hebrews 12:7 (KJV)

What son is he whom the father chasteneth not — human parenting is used to explain God's. The argument runs from the familiar to the unfamiliar.

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” — Psalm 103:13 (KJV)

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. Pity here means tenderness rather than condescension.

“As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,” — 1 Thessalonians 2:11 (KJV)

As a father doth his children, we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you. Paul lists three distinct actions, which is a workable description of the job.

“Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.” — Proverbs 19:18 (KJV)

Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. The clause about crying concedes how hard the instruction is.

“For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” — Proverbs 3:12 (KJV)

Whom the LORD loveth he correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Delight and correction are placed in the same person.

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” — 2 Timothy 3:15 (KJV)

From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures — Timothy's education is credited to his mother and grandmother. Early exposure is named as the foundation.

“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” — Proverbs 29:15 (KJV)

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. Left to himself is the alternative the proverb warns against.

“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” — Proverbs 20:7 (KJV)

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. Parenting is described here as something done by living rather than by instructing.

“That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,” — Titus 2:4 (KJV)

Teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. Loving one's own children is listed as something taught, not assumed.

“Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.” — Proverbs 4:1 (KJV)

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father — the chapter then quotes what the father himself was taught. Three generations appear in one passage.

“And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.” — Genesis 33:5 (KJV)

The children which God hath graciously given thy servant — Jacob's answer to Esau on the day he expected to be killed. He describes his children as grace.

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” — Luke 15:20 (KJV)

When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him — implying the father had been watching the road. The running is the detail every listener would have found undignified.

“In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.” — Proverbs 14:26 (KJV)

In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge. The parent's faith is described as shelter the children inherit.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about parenting?

The 16 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on parenting: Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 22:15, Hebrews 12:7, Psalm 103:13, 1 Thessalonians 2:11, Proverbs 19:18, Proverbs 3:12, 2 Timothy 3:15, Proverbs 29:15, Proverbs 20:7, Titus 2:4, Proverbs 4:1…

What is a good Bible verse about parenting?

Ephesians 6:4 is the passage most often quoted on parenting, with Proverbs 13:24 and Proverbs 22:15 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these parenting verses?

You can read all of these verses about parenting — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.