Honor (5091) (timao for time = honor, prize) means to show high regard respect for and so to count as valuable, to esteem, to value, to honor or to revere. To show respect to someone is to recognize their worth as a person (and if they are a parent to recognize the validity of their role and their authority) and implies a considered evaluation or estimation. Therefore, timao means to ascribe worth to someone. To hold in awe. To assign value to something, including people considered as property (slaves). It means to fix a value or price upon something and so to prize it. The idea is to treat as precious! To honor is a social action describing how people within a society should evaluate one another. Honor usually results in people being elevated in the eyes of the community. Honoring involves a proper attitude as well as appropriate behavior. To honor is to manifest an attitude of love, respect, and disposition of one's heart which in the context of the child/parent relationship yields the fruit of obedience. Lenski comments that to honor reflects "the form love assumes towards those who are placed above us by God" Time/timao are the root of the rare English word timocracy which describes a government which is dominated by those who love special honors, a concept developed by Plato and expanded on by Aristotle. To the early Greeks honor meant the value placed on a person and then began to describe those people of high position. At first honor related to the possessions which one had and only later did it come to mean the honor which is conferred on a deserving person. In the great Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta honor was a matter of civic recognition. This word group (timao and time) is often used as a term of reverence, preciousness, and honor regarding God the Father and Christ. Detzler notes that... There are several sound reasons why we should honor other people. First, Christ set the example for us in giving honor where it is due. Second, the image of God stamped on us by our Creator qualifies each one for honor. Third, it is part of Christian humility to give honor to others. Fourth, it helps unify the church when we honor other Christians, and the same can be said about one's family. It is therefore right to give honor. (Detzler, Wayne E: New Testament Words in Today's Language. Victor. 1986) NIDNTT has this note on the use of the root word time (honor) in classical Greek writing that... The word time (from the Iliad on) is used in secular Gk. with the following main meanings: (a) worship, esteem, honour (used of people); (b) worth, value, price (of things); (c) compensation, satisfaction, penalty. In Gk. thought time is the proper recognition which a man enjoys in the community because of his office, position, wealth etc., and then the position itself, the office with its dignity and privileges. The time of a person, state, or deity must be distinguished from that of another. It is a personal possession. Slaves had no time. (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan) The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery writes that... To honor someone or something is to acknowledge and show respect for the authority or worthiness of the object of one’s honor. To show honor entails an affective side (a feeling of respect or reverence) and a set of outward manifestations, such as gestures (bowing before or being attentive) or actions (conferring titles or privileges). All these ways of showing honor elevate the person or thing that is honored. In addition to the primary meaning, honor is used in the Bible to name something possessed by certain people or things as an innate quality. (Ryken, L., et al. Dictionary of Biblical Imagery Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press) Timao can mean to provide for someone financially as a means of showing due respect, as in assisting widows (1Ti 5:3). Thus it includes the ideas of showing respect, treating graciously and meeting needs, including financial ones. Larry Richards adds that timao and time... are also social terms, referring to the proper respect gained through one's position or wealth, or to the position itself. The use of "honor" in the NT parallels the concept in the OT and in secular Greek. God is honored when we respect his Word and do those things that please him (e.g., Jn 8:49-51; 1 Co 6:20). We are to obey governing authorities and treat them with due respect (Ro 13:1-7). Believers are encouraged to "honor one another above" themselves (Ro 12:10) and indeed to "show proper respect [timao, "honor"] to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king" (1 Pe 2:17). We are to treat everyone with whom we come in contact with appropriate respect. (Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency) Timao is in the is present imperative which is a command for children to continually honor their parents. It is singular so Paul is addressing each child individually. We are to have this attitude of honor, respect, and reverence toward our parents all our lives. Timao is found about 20 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (27.12" class="scriptRef">12" class="scriptRef">Ex. 20:12; Lev. 19:32; 27:8, 12, 14; Num. 22:17, 37; 24:11; Deut. 5:16; Est. 8:12; 9:3; Ps. 139:17; Prov. 3:9; 4:8; 6:8; 7:1; 14:31; 15:22; 25:2, 27; 27:18, 26; Isa. 29:13; 55:2; Dan. 11:38) Timao is used 21 times in the NASB... Matthew 15:4 "For God said, 'Honor your father and mother,' and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.'...8 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. Matthew 19:19 Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 27:9 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price (time) of the one whose price had been set by the sons of Israel; (Fulfilling the Messianic prophecy in Zechariah 11:12-13) Mark 7:6 And He said to them, "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me...10 "For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death'; Mark 10:19 "You know the commandments, 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" Luke 18:20 "You know the commandments, 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" John 5:23 in order that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. John 8:49 Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. John 12:26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. Acts 28:10 And they also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed. Ephesians 6:2 Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 1 Timothy 5:3 Honor widows who are widows indeed; 1 Peter 2:17 Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. Mark Twain once said "It is better to deserve honors and not to have them than to have them and not to deserve them." There is a great story about Queen Victoria bestowing honor Queen Victoria frequently attended a Bible study led by one of her footmen. One evening she asked him: "When do you think the Lord will return?" The footman was perplexed, and told the monarch that the Bible gave no specific time for the Lord's return. So we should always be ready for His return. At this the Queen said: "Oh, I do hope that the Lord returns during my lifetime. I should love to lay at His feet the crown of the kingdom and the empire." That gracious old Queen knew to whom honor truly belongs, the King of kings. When a child marries, his relationship to his parents changes ("FOR THIS CAUSE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL CLEAVE TO HIS WIFE..." Eph 5:31) but not his responsibility to provide for them as Paul explains in his first epistle to Timothy writing... Honor widows who are widows indeed; but if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family, and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. (1 Ti 5:3-4). Comment: Meeting the physical needs of one's family is a part of Christian stewardship. Christians should manage personal resources in a responsible way to care for family needs. In short, children are not just to manifest an attitude of honor but to back it up with appropriate action, especially financial support if that is needed. In the Old Testament the child was to honor their parent with respect and support for as long as they lived. This is God's design for the family and assures that in this way the family stays together. First (4413) (protos) in the present context refers to first in respect to time. The fifth commandment (Ex 20:12; Deut 5:16) is actually the only commandment accompanied by a specific earthly promise. Commandment (1785) (entole from entellomai = to order, give commandments) Several commentators have noted that the fifth commandment is actually the second command with a promise... but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. ( Ex. 20:6) Hoehner explains that most likely... Paul meant that this is “first” in the sense of being “a primary commandment,” that is, of primary importance for children and it also has a promise. (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., et al: The Bible Knowledge Commentary. 1985. Victor) Entole is most common of the words meaning commandment, stressing the authority of the one commanding, while éntalma (1778), a religious commandment, stresses the thing commanded. Promise (1860) (epaggelia from epaggello = announce upon, announce with certainty as to what one will do) was primarily a legal term in ancient Greece and denoted summons which came to mean a promise to do or give something. It is worth noting that the other commandments promised something if they were not kept! The fifth commandment so important that God attaches the inherent motivation of a promise, because this commandment is the key to all human relationships and the passing on of a righteous heritage. God designed the family and if this commandment is not "functioning", that design will be disturbed. Witness the dissolution of the family in America, one cause being the failure of children to obey this one command! Ephesians 6:3 SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH. (NASB: Lockman) Greek: hina eu soi genetai (3SAMS) kai ese (2SFMI) makrochronios epi tes ges. Amplified: That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. (Amplified Bible - Lockman) NLT: And this is the promise: If you honor your father and mother, "you will live a long life, full of blessing." (NLT - Tyndale House) Phillips: that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth'. (Phillips: Touchstone) Wuest: in order that it may be well with you, and in order that you may live long upon the earth. (Eerdmans) Young's Literal: which is the first command with a promise, 'That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live a long time upon the land.' SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU: hina eu soi genetai (3SAMS): (Deut 4:40; 5:16; 6:3,18; 12:25,28; 22:7; Ruth 3:1; Psalms 128:1,2; Isaiah 3:10; Jeremiah 42:6) A PROMISE CONDITIONED ON OBEDIENCE Notice that the text in the NAS is in all capital letters. What is the significance? The NAS is unique among all the translations in that it uses all caps to "identify" Old Testament quotations, in the present case identifying Eph 6:3 as a quotation from Deut 5:16. So that (hina) introduces a purpose clause. As an aside, as you are reading the Scriptures and encounter a "so that" (occurs 975x in NAS95), always pause to ponder the passage, asking questions such as "What is the purpose?" "What are the conditions necessary for fulfilling that purpose?" "Who is impacted by the fulfillment of that purpose?" These questions will usually "force" you to re-read the preceding passage or passages. As this practice (inductive Bible study) becomes more habitual and natural, you will find that your comprehension and retention of those passages increases. What you are doing when you engage in this practice is establishing the context and at the same time in effect are meditating on the passage, a spiritual discipline God promises to bless (Josh 1:8-note, Ps 1:1-note, Ps 1:2-note, Ps 1:3-note) It is interesting to note that Paul in quoting the OT stops short of the last portion of the verse, deleting the phrase on the land which the LORD your God gives you (Deut 5:16, cp Dt 4:40 is a parallel conditional promise directed primarily to the parents) for that portion of the promise (the land) was specifically for Israel. Constable explains that... When he restated the promise connected with obeying the fifth commandment, Paul changed it. God promised obedient Jewish children long life in the Promised Land (Ex 20:12; Deut 5:16). Since He has not promised Christians a particular piece of land Paul stated the more general promise that lay behind the specific promise, namely longer physical life on earth. Normally children who obey their parents avoid the perils that would shorten their lives. (Bolding added) It may be well with you - That it would be well is logical. What would happens to children who received no instruction or correction from their parents? This would be social anarchy, and is a sad apt description of much of our modern society, where the break up of families has been accompanied by a void in the exercise parental authority and the result is not well. It is interesting (and sad) to note that One of the reasons God gave for the Jews being sent into Babylonian exile was a failure to honor parents (Ezek. 22:7, 15 "They have treated father and mother lightly within you."). The blessing aspect of this command is wonderful, but here is a suggestion of the opposite effect for mistreating parents. This is a very serious commandment and calls for serious hearkening! Obedience and honor to those who give birth and life is regarded as a virtue among all nations and religions. How much more should this be true in the case of children whose parents have led them into spiritual birth and life as well.