Verse 2
Even though as Christians we are no longer under the Mosaic Law (Romans 7:6; Romans 10:4; et. al.), Paul quoted the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16) to stress the importance of children obeying their parents. He restated this command as part of the Law of Christ. Honoring (Ephesians 6:2) is a larger concept than obeying (Ephesians 6:1). It involves a proper attitude as well as appropriate behavior. [Note: See Mollie Ann Frye, "How to Honor Your Parents When They’ve Hurt You," Psychology for Living 28:6 (June 1986):12-14.]
The first commandment in the Decalogue with a promise was really the second commandment. Evidently Paul meant that for children the fifth was the primary commandment, and it contained a promise.
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