The duty of parents to love their children is a foundational principle deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible. This love is not merely an emotional affection but a comprehensive commitment to the well-being, spiritual growth, and moral guidance of their children.

Biblical Foundation of Parental Love

The Bible emphasizes the importance of love as the cornerstone of all relationships, including that between parents and children. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 , "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." This passage provides a blueprint for the kind of love parents are to exhibit towards their children.

Instruction and Discipline in Love

Parental love is also expressed through instruction and discipline. Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This training is an act of love, guiding children in righteousness and preparing them for a life that honors God. Discipline, when administered in love, is a crucial aspect of this training. Hebrews 12:7-11 explains, "Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of spirits and live? They disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it."

Providing for Physical and Emotional Needs

Loving parents are also called to provide for the physical and emotional needs of their children. In 1 Timothy 5:8 , Paul states, "If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." This provision extends beyond material needs to include emotional support and nurturing, creating a safe and loving environment where children can thrive.

Modeling Godly Love

Parents are to model the love of God to their children, reflecting His character in their daily interactions. Ephesians 5:1-2 encourages believers to "be imitators of God as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God." By embodying Christ-like love, parents set an example for their children to follow, teaching them about the nature of God's love and the importance of loving others.

Encouragement and Affirmation

The Bible also highlights the importance of encouragement and affirmation in the parent-child relationship. Colossians 3:21 warns, "Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged." Encouragement and positive affirmation help build a child's self-esteem and confidence, fostering a sense of security and belonging.

In summary, the duty of parents to love their children encompasses a holistic approach that includes instruction, discipline, provision, modeling godly love, and offering encouragement. This love is a reflection of God's love for His children and serves as a guiding principle for raising children in a manner that honors Him.Titus 2:4
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Whether a Man Ought, Out of Charity, to Love his Children More ...
... Hence the duty of children to their parents consists chiefly in honor: while
that of parents to their children is especially one of care. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man ought out.htm

On Obedience to Parents
... Do you now understand what is your duty to your ... you consider, that by the divine
appointment their will is ... extent of that obedience to your parents which God ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 96 on obedience to.htm

The Promises of the Christian Home.
... to their children. We must not think that all pious parents are faithful
to their duty to their children. The above objection ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxv the promises of.htm

Parental Duty.
... Never neglect the duty of warning your child of ... Children so reared will always love
and honor their ... they should, and will look upon their parents' lives as ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter xxvi parental duty.htm

Special Conference in virginia.
... ministers were not able to do their mission-duty, partly because ... Their parents,
themselves not knowing the language, can hear their children read, and ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/special conference in virginia.htm

Home Influence and Training in their Relation to the Keeping of ...
... class, when they grow old enough, they have performed their whole duty. ... No anxious,
restless parents there, hoping and praying that their children may be ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter vi home influence and.htm

Obedience to Parents.
... its instincts to point out to you your duty, which to ... lead you to suspect that there
are children unnatural enough to forget and neglect their parents. ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xix obedience to parents.htm

Family Habits.
... In this way parents often contribute to the temporal and eternal ruin of their
offspring ... owns no law, which is governed by no sense of duty, and which ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xvii family habits.htm

Home-Government.
... consequence, their children abandon the duty of obedience ... Such parents are always
making laws and giving ... the utterance and exponent of their unfaithfulness and ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xviii home-government.htm

Parental Duties Considered and Urged.
... little hope, to persevere in the discharge of duty. ... because "he would command his
children"to keep ... youth who second the endeavors of their parents to render ...
/.../sermon xxii parental duties considered.htm

What does the Bible say about overbearing or controlling parents? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about respecting your parents? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about obeying parents? | GotQuestions.org

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