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