This
commandment to honor parents is much broader in its scope than appears at first
glance. It is not to be restricted to our literal father and mother, but is to be applied to all our
superiors.
"The
end of the Precept is, that since the Lord God desires the preservation of the
order He has appointed, the degrees of preeminence fixed by Him ought to be
inviolably preserved. The sum of it therefore will be that we should reverence
them whom God has exalted to any authority over us, and
should render them honor, obedience, and gratitude.... But as this precept is
exceedingly repugnant to the depravity of human nature, whose ardent desire of
exaltation will scarcely admit of subjection, it has therefore proposed as an
example that kind of superiority which is naturally most amiable and least
invidious, because that might the more easily mollify and
incline our minds to a habit of submission" (Calvin).
Lest
any of our readers—in this socialistic and communistic age, when
insubordination and lawlessness is the evil spirit of our day—object to this
wider interpretation of the commandment, let us ponder the
following considerations. First, "honor" belongs primarily and
principally to God. Secondarily, and by derivation, it pertains also to those
whom He has dignified and made nobles in His kingdom, by raising them above
others and bestowing titles and dominion upon them. We ought to revere these
just as surely as we do our fathers and mothers. In Scripture the word "honor" has an extensive application, as may be
seen from 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 2:17, etc. Secondly, observe that the title
"father" is given to kings (1 Samuel 24:11; Isaiah 49:23), masters (2
Kings 5:13), and ministers of the Gospel (2 Kings 2:12; Galatians 4:19)
"Wherefore
it ought not be doubted that God here lays down a universal
rule for our conduct, namely, that to every one whom we know to be placed in
authority over us by His appointment, we should render reverence, obedience,
gratitude, and all the other services in our power. Nor does it make any
difference whether they are worthy of this honor or not. For whatever be their
characters, yet it is not without the appointment of the
Divine providence that they have attained that station on account of which the
supreme Legislator has commanded them to be honored. He has particularly
enjoined reverence to our parents, who have brought us into this life"
(Calvin).
It
scarcely needs to be said that the duty enforced here is of
a reciprocal nature, those of inferiors implying a corresponding obligation on superiors; but limited space obliges us to
consider here only the duties resting on subjects to their rulers.
First let us consider the duties of children to their
parents. They
are to love and reverence them, being fearful of offending due to the respect
they bear them. A genuine filial veneration is to actuate children, so that
they abstain from whatever would grieve or offend their parents. They are to be
subject
unto them: mark the blessed example which Christ has left (Luke 2:51).
"Children
obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing unto the Lord"
(Colossians 3:20).
After
David was anointed for the throne, he fulfilled his father’s appointment by
tending his sheep (1 Samuel 16:19). They are to hearken to
their instructions and imitate their godly practices (Proverbs 6:20). Their
language must ever be respectful and their gestures betoken submission. Though
Joseph was so highly exalted in Egypt, he "bowed himself with his face to
the ground" before his father (Genesis 48:12). And note how king Solomon
honored his mother (1 Kings 2:19). As far as they are able
and their parents have need, they are to provide for them in old age (1 Timothy
5:16).
Secondly, let us observe our duties to rulers and magistrates whom God has set over us. These
are God’s deputies and vicegerents, being invested with authority from Him:
"by Me kings reign" (Proverbs 8:15). God has ordained
civil authority for the general good of mankind, for were it not for this men
would be savage beasts preying upon one another. Did not the fear of
magistrates restrain those who have cast off the fear of God, were they not
afraid of temporal punishments, we should be as safe among lions and tigers as
among men. Rulers are to be honored in our thoughts, regarding
them as the official representatives of God upon earth (Ecclesiastes 10:20;
Romans 13:l ff; Acts 23:5). They are to be revered in our speeches, supporting
their office and authority, for of the wicked it is written,
"they
are not afraid to speak evil of dignities" (2 Peter
2:20).
We are
to obey them.
"Submit
yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the
king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are
sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do
well" (1 Peter 2:13, 14).
We are
to render
"tribute
to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear; honor to whom
honor" (Romans 13:7).
We are
to pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1, 2).
Thirdly, let us consider the duties of servants unto their masters. They are to obey them.
"Servants
obey in all things your masters according to the flesh: not with eyeservice as
menpleasers, but in singleness of heart fearing God"
(Colossians 3:22).
They
are to be diligent in duty, seeking to promote their master’s interests,
"showing all good fidelity" (Titus 2:10; and see Ephesians 6:5-7).
They are to patiently suffer their rebukes and corrections,
"not answering again" (Titus 2:9). So strictly has God enjoined them
to a quiet submission to their masters that, even when a servant has given no
just cause for rebuke, yet he is to silently suffer the groundless anger of his
master.
"Servants
be subject to your masters with all fear: not only to the
good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for
conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully" (1 Peter
2:18-20)
O how
far have we wandered from the Divine standard!
Finally, we should mention pastors and their flocks, ministers and their people, for between them also is
such a relation of superiors and inferiors as brings them under the direction
of this fifth commandment.
"Obey
them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:
for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do
it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you"
(Hebrews 13:17).
Christ
has so vested his servants with authority that He declares,
"He
that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me" (Luke
10:16).
So
again,
"Let
the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they
who labor in the Word and doctrine" (1 Timothy 5:17).
This
"double honor" is that of reverence and maintenance.
"Let
him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good
things" (Galatians 6:6 and cf. 1 Corinthians 9:11).
How
solemn is this warning:
"But
they mocked the messengers of God and despised His words and misused His
prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was
no remedy" (2 Chronicles 36:16).
To
this precept is added this promise as a motive and encouragement
to obedience: "That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy
God giveth thee."
First, as an Old Testament promise this is to be regarded typically of
the Eternal Life promised by the Gospel, since Canaan was a
figure of Heaven.
Secondly, it is repeated in the New Testament (Ephesians 6:2, 3 and 1
Peter 3:10), since it is often God’s way to lengthen out an obedient and holy
life. Thirdly, all promises of earthly blessing, however, must necessarily
imply this condition: they shall be literally fulfilled to
us if this would promote our eternal happiness—otherwise they would be
threatenings and not promises. In His mercy God often abridges this promise and
takes His beloved home to Himself.