Thirteen - Edition #10

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

I think I am going to check out more than just exasperate. But exasperate is first and foremost on the list.

Exasperate (verb)

parorgizō (pronounced: par-org-id'-zo)

• To anger alongside, that is, enrage: anger, provoke to wrath.
• To rouse to wrath, to provoke, exasperate, anger.

Exasperate (verb)

• To irritate or provoke to a high degree; annoy extremely.
• To make very angry or impatient; annoy greatly.
• make furious.

So, fathers do not provoke your children to anger... don't make the kids angry or impatient. So what do fathers need to do? The answer is to train and instruct the children in the way of the Lord. OK, so I think it goes a little further than that in this passage. And that's what I am going to do, take it a little further.

Training (noun)

paideia (pronounced: pahee-di'-ah)

• Tutorage, that is, education or training; by implication disciplinary correction: - chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture.
• The whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body.
• Whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, especially by correcting mistakes and curbing passions.
• Instruction which aims at increasing virtue.
• Chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment).

Instruction (noun)
nouthesia (pronounced: noo-thes-ee'-ah)

• Calling attention to, that is, (by implication) mild rebuke or warning: admonition.
• Admonition, exhortation.

Admonition (noun)

• Mild, kind, yet earnest reproof.
• Cautionary advice or warning.
• Cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness).
• Counsel, advice, or caution.
• A gentle reproof

Exhortation (noun)

• A communication intended to urge or persuade the recipients to take some action.
• An utterance, discourse, or address conveying urgent advice or recommendations.
• A speech or discourse that encourages, incites, or earnestly advises.

Exhort (verb)

• Spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
• Force or impel in an indicated direction

I felt the need to check out exhort, since that is the root of exhortation. There were several definitions on how exhortation is the process of exhorting... so I checked out exhort. So, Fathers, do not frustrate and anger your children; instead, bring them up by correcting mistakes and curbing passions and exhortation of the Lord. Johnny Out.