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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT Eph_6:1-3
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.
Eph_6:1 "children" It is uncertain what age is referred to here. In Jewish life a boy became a man, responsible to the Law and marriageable, at the age of 13 (i.e., bar mitzvah); a girl became a woman at the age of 12 (i.e., bath mitzvah). In Roman culture a boy became a man at age 14, in Greek culture, at age 18.
▣ "obey" This is a present active imperative which is a compound Greek term from "to hear" and "under." The Colossians parallel adds "in all things." This obedience must be for a set period of time (childhood). Even this command must be balanced with Mat_10:34-39. Ultimate authority is not parental, but divine.
▣ "in the Lord" This phrase is omitted in the ancient Greek uncial manuscripts B, D4, F and G, but it is present in P46, à , A, and D1 as well as the Vulgate, Peshitta, Coptic and Armenian translations. Its inclusion makes definite that the context is the Christian home. This context implies both a Christian child and Christian parents.
▣ "for this is right" The Bible clearly expresses the God-given relationship between parents and children (cf. Col_3:20; Pro_6:20; Pro_23:27). Strong families make strong societies.
Eph_6:2 "honor" This is a present active imperative. It is a quote from the Ten Commandments (cf. Exo_20:12; Deu_5:16). "Honor" was a commercial term which meant "to give due weight to." It reflected the OT concept of that which is "heavy" is valuable. Parents are to be respected and valued by Christian children. There are no perfect parents (as there are no perfect children).
▣ "father and mother" This shows that both parents deserve honor and respect.
▣ "(which is the first commandment with a promise)" This quote in Eph_6:3 is used in Deuteronomy in several different contexts (cf. Deu_4:40; Deu_5:16; Deu_5:33; Deu_30:17-18). It is not an individual promise of longevity but a cultural promise of societal stability. Notice that Paul, by quoting the Ten Commandments, shows that the Law (Genesis-Deuteronomy) was still in effect as far as revelatory guidance for the Christian (cf. Eph_4:25-26; Rom_10:4; Rom_13:9-10; Gal_2:15-21) but not for salvation (cf. Galatians 3).
Eph_6:3 "on earth" Paul adapted the OT quote from "In the land that the Lord your God has given you" (cf. Exo_20:12; Deu_5:16) and turned it into a general principle. The NT authors often took OT promises to Israel and adapted them into universal truths.