Ephesians 6:3

Well with thee. The fifth commandment as recorded in Deut. 5:16 may provide the basis for this statement, although Paul does not quote the promise verbatim. Children are happier when they have learned obedience to parents, and all are happier when they have learned obedience to God.

Live long. The fifth commandment has the words “that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee,” with apparent primary application to the coming of Israel to the land of Canaan. Here Paul states the promise more generally for all people. Life is a gift from God (Acts 17:25), and long life is a blessing. A life that gains the blessing of God on this earth has promise of life everlasting.

It is well recognized that a wholesome family life, of which obedience is a part, tends to the well-being of society and of nations. Obedience to Christian parents means sobriety, industry, self-control, and all those other virtues that bring both physical and spiritual health. Paul is stating a natural law as well as announcing special blessings of God upon the obedient. The vices that shorten life will not be found in the Christian home.