If children are to grow up in the fear of the Lord, the “nurture and admonition” given by the parents must come from the Lord and have His approval. The parent stands for God before his young child—a most sobering responsibility for father and mother.

 Gr. nouthesia, “to put in mind.” The word implies instruction or discipline by word, in the form of warning. Nouthesia occurs elsewhere in the NT only in 1 Cor. 10:11 and Titus 3:10. The related verb noutheteō is found in Rom. 15:14; Col. 1:28; 2 Thess. 3:15; etc. There is a place for warning in any system of education, for whatever purpose. Admonition encourages a child when he is in the right and warns him when he is in the wrong.

It has been seriously suggested by some educators that a child should be left to form his own religious ideas and convictions, since it is unfair to impose them upon him when he is unequipped to think for himself. This argument is fallacious, for it is impossible for a child to grow up without religious conceptions of some kind. If parents or guardians do not instruct their children in truth, someone else will instruct them in error. There is no neutrality in this matter.

 Gr. ektrephō (see on ch. 5:29).

 This negative advice is essential if the obedience required of the children is to rest on a moral basis. The parallel passage in Colossians gives the reason for this admonition: “Lest they be discouraged” (Col. 3:21). The present low ebb of parental authority sometimes springs from unjust, irritating, or even brutal demands made by parents on children, particularly the unwanted ones. Too often children are considered as “disturbers of the peace” of the home, an annoyance. Another prolific cause of resentment among children is the capricious, inconsistent demands of some parents. Even if outward obedience is gained by violent means, it is at the expense of honor and respect.

The term may be used generically to include both fathers and mothers. However, the first responsibility for discipline usually rests with the father; and, moreover, fathers commonly need the counsel that is to follow more than mothers do. If mothers tend to be overindulgent, fathers tend to be severe.

 Gr. paideia, “discipline,” “instruction,” “chastening.” Paideia is used in Heb. 12:5-11 to describe the “chastening of the Lord” that “yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness.” Compare the use of the verb paideuō in 1 Cor. 11:32; 2 Cor. 6:9. The Lord’s chastening, instruction, and discipline are an indication of His love (Rev. 3:19), and so should be those of the parents.