Fathers play a vital role in the family and in raising children according to biblical principles. Here are some key Bible verses about fathers and their responsibilities:
Fathers instructing and teaching children
Ephesians 6:4 – Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Psalm 78:5-6 – He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children.
Fathers providing for and protecting families
1 Timothy 5:8 – But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
2 Corinthians 12:14 – Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
Joshua 24:15 – And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Fathers loving and caring for children
Psalm 103:13 – As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
Proverbs 3:12 – For the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
1 John 3:1 – See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
Matthew 7:9-11 – Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Honoring fathers
Exodus 20:12 – Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Proverbs 23:22 – Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
Ephesians 6:1-3 – Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Malachi 1:6 – A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’
Absent fathers and fatherlessness
Psalm 27:10 – For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.
Psalm 68:5 – Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
Isaiah 1:17 – Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.
James 1:27 – Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
God the Father
Matthew 6:9 – Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
John 14:9 – Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
1 John 2:15-16 – Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
Galatians 1:3-4 – Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
Being a good father
Colossians 3:21 – Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
1 Corinthians 16:13 – Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Proverbs 4:1-4 – Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. For I was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. Then he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.”
Blessings of fatherhood
Psalm 127:3 – Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Psalm 128:3 – Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
Proverbs 17:6 – Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.
Isaiah 54:13 – All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Examples of fathers
Genesis 22:1-19 – Abraham and Isaac (Abraham’s faith and obedience tested)
Luke 15:11-32 – The Prodigal Son (a father’s love and forgiveness)
1 Samuel 16:11-13 – Jesse and David (raising a godly king)
Genesis 37-50 – Jacob and Joseph (dealing with favoritism/jealousy among siblings)
Judges 13:1-25 – Manoah and Samson (raising a Nazirite son)
1 Samuel 1-3 – Elkanah and Samuel (dedicating a child to the Lord)
Luke 1-2 – Zechariah/Joseph and John the Baptist/Jesus (miraculous births and obedience)
Acts 16:25-34 – The Philippian Jailer (leading family to faith)
2 Timothy 1:5 – Timothy’s father (raising child in the faith)
In summary, fathers have many important responsibilities according to Scripture – teaching and instructing children, providing for and protecting the family, showing love and affection, earning honor and respect. God presents Himself as a model of fatherhood through His love, provision and discipline. Fathers are encouraged to be involved, set a godly example, treat children with compassion, and point them to Christ.