A father is a man created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26; 2:7). God intended for him to be a man married to one woman for life. “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:4-6, 9).
A father is responsible for discipline (Hebrews 12:7-9; Colossians 3:21). Teaching his children is a crucial part of God’s design (Ephesians 6:4). He must also realize he is a trainer, which involves showing his children how it is to be done (Proverbs 22:6; 1 Corinthians 11:1). An important part of that training should be shown in loving his wife, the mother of his children (Colossians 3:19). God has given him the duty of providing for the needs of his family, but not their wants (1 Timothy 5:8).
Love is one of several things a father should be given (Titus 2:4). It is also important to pay attention to his instructions (Proverbs 1:8; 4:1; Colossians 3:20). Fathers also deserve honor, as God instructed through Moses in Exodus 20:12 (Ephesians 6:2-3).
Father is often described as the breadwinner or provider in the family, but he may also need to be provided for in his golden years. “But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.” Paul, just a few verses later, added, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:4, 8). Thank God for righteous fathers!
