Who are meant by father and mother in the fifth commandment?

#WLC124

Share

By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents, but all superiors in age and gifts; and especially such as, by God’s ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, church, or commonwealth.

Proofs

  • By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents, (Proverbs 23:22, 25; Ephesians 6:1–2)
  • but all superiors in age (1 Timothy 5:1–2)
  • and gifts; (Genesis 4:20–22; 45:8)
  • and especially such as, by God’s ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, (2 Kings 5:13)
  • church, (2 Kings 2:12; 13:14; Galatians 4:19)
  • or commonwealth. (Isaiah 49:23)