Section Four

Families in the New

Testament

It is possible that families in the New Testament were smaller than those typically found in the Old Testament. However, they likely included at least husband and wife, children, relatives, slaves and others - meaning that some households (especially rich ones) were quite large. Paul writes two passages that give instructions for conduct within households: 1) Ephesians Chapter 5 verse 21 to Chapter 6 verse 4 Contains instructions for: • Husbands and wives (gives the picture that a marriage should reflect the relationships within the church) • Children (to obey their parents) • Fathers (to play their part in bringing up children correctly) • Slaves (to obey their masters properly and to serve well) • Masters (to treat their slaves in the same way that the slaves treat them) 2) Colossians Chapter 3 verse 18 to Chapter 4 verse 1 In a parallel to the Ephesians passage: • Wives (to submit to their husbands) • Husbands (to love their wives) • Children (to obey their parents) • Fathers (to not discourage their children) • Slaves (to obey their masters and to serve well) • Masters (to treat their slaves with fairness)