20 Bible Passages about the Goodness of Fatherhood

June 13, 2025/BCL/,
Photo Credit: freemixer / iStock.com

Photo Credit: freemixer / iStock.com

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“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Gen. 1:27). God has given men the honor, joy, and responsibility of being a father. Here are 20 Bible passages about the goodness of fatherhood (all Scripture quotations from the English Standard Version):

Fathers have the responsibility of providing for their family.

1. A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous. (Proverbs 13:22)

2. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)

Fathers are called to lovingly lead their families and set the example of what it means to be a godly man.

3. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. (Psalm 103:13)

4. The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him! (Prov. 20:7)

5. “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:20-24)

Fathers have the joy and responsibility of teaching and disciplining their children.

6. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

7. Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. (Proverbs 1:8-9)

8. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12)

9. Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. (Proverbs 4:1-2)

10. Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. (Proverbs 13:24)

11. Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

12. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4; see also Colossians 3:21)

13. It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (Hebrews 12:7)

Fathers are to be honored by their children.

14. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)

15. “Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:3)

16. Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. (Proverbs 23:22)

17. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Fatherhood is a blessing from God.

18. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! (Psalm 127:4-5a)

19. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother. (Proverbs 15:20)

20. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. (Proverbs 23:24)

Be sure to check out our corresponding article “20 Bible Passages about the Goodness of Motherhood.”