{4} Honour thy father and mother; {5} (which is the first commandment with {b} promise;)

(4) A proof of the first argument.

(5) The third argument taken of the profit that ensues from it: because the Lord gave this commandment among all the rest a special blessing.

(b) With a special promise: for otherwise the second commandment has a promise of mercy to a thousand generations, but that promise is general.

People's New Testament

6:2 Honour thy father and mother. Both of them, both alike.

Which is the first commandment with promise. The first of the ten commandments which has a promise attached (Ex 20:12).

Wesley's Notes

6:2 Honour - That is, love, reverence, obey, assist, in all things. The mother is particularly mentioned, as being more liable to be slighted than the father. Which is the first commandment with a promise - For the promise implied in the second commandment does not belong to the keeping that command in particular, but the whole law. Ex 20:12

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

2. Here the authority of revealed law is added to that of natural law.

which is . promise-The "promise" is not made the main motive to obedience, but an incidental one. The main motive is, because it is God's will (De 5:16, "Honor thy father and mother, as the Lord thy God hath COMMANDED thee"); and that it is so peculiarly, is shown by His accompanying it "with a promise."

first-in the decalogue with a special promise. The promise in the second commandment is a general one. Their duty is more expressly prescribed to children than to parents; for love descends rather than ascends [Bengel]. This verse proves the law in the Old Testament is not abolished.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

6:1-4 The great duty of children is, to obey their parents. That obedience includes inward reverence, as well as outward acts, and in every age prosperity has attended those distinguished for obedience to parents. The duty of parents. Be not impatient; use no unreasonable severities. Deal prudently and wisely with children; convince their judgements and work upon their reason. Bring them up well; under proper and compassionate correction; and in the knowledge of the duty God requires. Often is this duty neglected, even among professors of the gospel. Many set their children against religion; but this does not excuse the children's disobedience, though it may be awfully occasion it. God alone can change the heart, yet he gives his blessing to the good lessons and examples of parents, and answers their prayers. But those, whose chief anxiety is that their children should be rich and accomplished, whatever becomes of their souls, must not look for the blessing of God.