FAQs Mondays: What is the Fifth Commandment?

Last week, we answered the question, "What is the fourth commandment?".  You can read that article here.  This week, we are going to answer the question, "What is the fifth commandment?".

Which is the fifth commandment?

The fifth commandment is, "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you" (Ex. 20:12).

What is required in the fifth commandment?

The fifth commandment requires that we preserve the honor and perform the duties which belong to every one in their various roles as authorities, subordinates or equals.  The Lord states, "You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD" (Lev. 19:32).  Peter exhorts, "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor" (1 Pet. 2:17).  Paul states, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God" (Rom. 13:1).  Paul even explains how this culture of honor is to displayed among God's people in passages like Romans 12:1; Ephesians 5:21-6:9; Colossians 3:18-4:1; and 1 Thessalonians 5:12.  The author of Hebrews reminds us that such honor should be shown to leadership within the church as well (see Hebrews 13:7, 17).

What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?

The fifth commandment forbids the neglecting or offending the honor and duty which belongs to everyone in their various places and relations.  Proverbs warns, "The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vulture" (Prov. 30:17).  Paul states, "Pay to all what is owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.  Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law" (Rom. 13:7-8).

What is the reason added to the fifth commandment?

The reason added to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve God's glory and their own good), to all who keep this commandment.  Moses encouraged Israel with these words, "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin" (Ex. 20:20).  Paul instructs, "'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), 'that all may go well with you and that you may live long in the land' (Eph. 6:2-3).

Summary

So we see that the fifth commandment deals with the proper relation to authority.  God appointed oversight into the created order.  These relationships of authority and accountability are designed to bring about his glory and our good.  When we break this commandment, we dishonor God's governing authority over all things.  When we dishonor God's authority, we are rejecting his authority over us.  The fifth commandment promises long life to those who obey it, because in keeping it, one is honoring God, as well as their parents.