What does the commandment, "Honor your father and mother" literally mean?

Question

I am a Christian woman struggling with a relationship with her mother. I need to know, BIBLICALLY speaking, what the word "honor" means. If I am to honor my parents, how am I to demonstrate this? How do I live out "honoring" my parents in the Biblical sense -- they way God intended when he gave us this commandment? What is NOT included in honoring one's parents?

I am not looking for your personal opinion of the interpretation of the word honor or of the commandment itself. I am looking for a theological interpretation, based on scholarship (which, yes, I know is still grounded in opinion, but I believe in Spirit-lead revelations). Thanks so much.

Answer 1

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you. (Ex 20:12; Deut 5:16)

This commandment requires children to have honor, affection, and gratitude toward their father and mother.

Respect for parents (filial piety) derives from gratitude toward those who, by the gift of life, their love and their work, have brought their children into the world and enabled them to grow in stature, wisdom, and grace.

"With all your heart honor your father, and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother. Remember that through your parents you were born; what can you give back to them that equals their gift to you?" (Sir 7:27-28)

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I agree with Paradise.

The only thing I would add is that we are to honor God above all else. This means that we should not do things that our leaders or parents tell us to do if they are against the word of God.

Answer 3

Get them food, drink, clothing, covering, and take them where they need to go. Of course, you also need to fear them, which includes not contridicting them, not taking their seat, or their place, or calling them by their name.