Family(home)
“House, household, family”
Summary
The fundamental unit of human society established by God, consisting of parents and children bound together by ties of blood, marriage, and mutual responsibility.
☩Divine Institution
The Bible is the world's great teacher of monogamy—the union for life of one man and one woman as the basis of the family. The ideal of monogamic relation is put in the forefront of human history: 'Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.' Jesus cited this charter when explaining marriage, declaring them 'no more twain but one flesh.'
☩Family Structure
The father, if alive, is the head of the family and exercises authority over all its members, as the 'master' or 'goodman' of the house. The mother's position is very important; the commandment to honor parents places father and mother equally. Children owe obedience to parents as unto the Lord.
☩Religious Responsibilities
Families are to be taught God's word and to worship together. Abraham was commended because he would 'command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord.' Joshua declared, 'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.' Whole households were baptized in the early church when the head believed.
Related Verses55 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Family," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Family," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Family," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).