So Much Richer Than “Just Do It!”: Reading Ephesians 6:1-4 in Its Context

Are we called to obey commands in the Bible simply because God said so? Absolutely. But how is our track record of obeying naked imperatives? To apply Ephesians 6:1-4, we need to move beyond the bare proof text and consider concentric layers of context. Then we will find that the Lord embedded those imperatives in encouragement, hope, and vision that directly impact our obedience. He knows our feeble hearts and provides practical, strengthening motivation to help all of us—not only parents and children—obey him.