What does the Bible say about fatherhood?
Fatherhood is a blessing. It requires a masculine balancing of love and discipline. So what does the Bible say about fatherhood?
Simple answer: lots. A few examples in no particular order:
1. “Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.” ~ Proverbs 22:6
Reflection: By making faith the center of your household, you are providing your children wealth that cannot be taken away by any powers of man. Faith is simply the greatest treasure that I will ever share with my children.
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2. “Nothing gives me greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” ~ 3 John 1:4
Reflection: It’s easy to get caught up in the chatter and distractions of the world. The Roman’s were knew how to distract the people through games and spectacles. How far have we come? Games and spectacles along with the constant bombardment of our digital world are never ceasing. Father’s have a particularly important job of teaching our children to be in the world but not of it. Enjoy the big game and aspire to the best that you can be at your chosen vocation. BUT as your grow always walk in truth and never allow this world to distract you from our ultimate destination: We were made for, and are invited to be with, God forever. Yet, free will gives us the power to chose. Dads, when the going gets tough pray for the wisdom you need to show your children the way.
3. Wisdom. “But if any of you lacks wisdom,* he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it.” ~ James 1:5
Have faith. Pray for wisdom and trust that the Lord will never give you more than you can handle.
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4. “So [also] husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” ~ Ephesians 5:28
We know from Genesis that God made man and woman in His image and likeness. He instructed us to go and be fruitful. Ephesians dives deeper into a husband’s duty to honor, love and defend his wife.
“For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body.”
“For this reason a man shall leave [his] father and [his] mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.” Ephesians 5:29-31
Children learn from their environments. So fathers, let your children see how much love you have for their moms. Let them hear the words “I love you” and when needed “I’m sorry.” Let them watch and join in as you lead the family in prayer. Show your boys how to be men by your example. Show your girls how they should be treated by the way you treat your wife.
And finally, to close out this post:
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5. “And whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” ~
1 Timothy 5:8
This one is difficult. Men are called to provide for their family. On one hand we must do what we can to afford the needs required for housing, nourishment, education and well-being. But more, as with the opening example from Proverbs, providing faith is far more important than anything else. Still, focusing on material needs don’t be lazy.
Struggle is a part of life. Providing for our family sometimes means sacrificing what we want to do for what we need to do. So when the going gets tough roll up your sleeves and do the work necessary to provide. God will never give you more than you can handle. Trust in His Divine Mercy and trust in Divine Providence. In good times and in hard, shine with the light of faith for the sake of your children. So they will aspire to follow your lead.
Closing: I could go on. The Bible says so much more on fatherhood. Crack it open for yourself. Learn. Pray. Have faith. It’s Lent! Great time to work toward masculine holiness.
Pax Christi
Royce – Follow me on X.com/@RoyceHood
