Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise). The exhortation, based on natural morality (Ephesians 6:1), is here confirmed from the Decalogue. "Honor" is higher than obedience (Ephesians 6:1); it is the regard due to those who, by Divine appointment, are above us, and to whom our most respectful consideration is due.
Father and mother, though not quite on a footing of equality in their relation to each other (Ephesians 5:22), are equal as objects of honor and obedience to their children. It is assumed here that they are Christians; where one was a Christian and not the ether, the duty would be modified.
But in these succinct verses the apostle lays down general rules, and does not complicate his exhortations with exceptions. The latter part of the verse contains a special reason for the precept; it is the first commandment with a promise attached.
But obviously the apostle meant more than this; for as in ver. I he had affirmed the duty to be one of natural religion, so here he means to add that it is also part of the revealed will of God—it is one of the commandments; but still further, it is the first commandment with a promise.
It may, perhaps, be said that this is appealing, not to the higher, but to the lower part of our nature—to our selfishness, not our goodness; but it is not an appeal to one part of our nature to the exclusion of the rest; it is an appeal to our whole nature, for it is a part of our nature to expect that in the end virtue will be rewarded and vice punished.
In the case of children it is difficult to look far forward; the rewards and the punishments, to be influential, must be within the ken of vision, as it were; therefore it is quite suitable that, in writing to them, the apostle should lay emphasis on a promise which had its special fulfillment in the life that now is.