Colossians Chapter 3 verse 21 Holy Bible
Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.
read chapter 3 in ASV
Fathers, do not be hard on your children, so that their spirit may not be broken.
read chapter 3 in BBE
Fathers, do not vex your children, to the end that they be not disheartened.
read chapter 3 in DARBY
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
read chapter 3 in KJV
read chapter 3 in WBT
Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.
read chapter 3 in WEB
the fathers! vex not your children, lest they be discouraged.
read chapter 3 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 21. - Ye fathers, do not irritate your children, lest they be disheartened (Ephesians 6:4). Αρεθίζω ("irritate" or "provoke") St. Paul uses once besides (2 Corinthians 9:2), in a good sense. It implies a use of parental authority which, by continual exactions and complaints, teaches the child to look on the father as his enemy rather than his friend. The synonymous παροργίζω of Ephesians 6:4, found here in many copies, is, more definitely "to rouse to anger." Αθυμέω (only here in the New Testament) means "to lose heart," to have the confidence and high spirit of youth broken; "fractus animus pestis juventutis" (Bengel). In place of this treatment, "the discipline and admonition of the Lord" are recommended in Ephesians 6:4.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(21) Provoke not . . . to anger.--This, in the text followed by our version, is borrowed from Ephesians 6:4. The true reading is provoke to emulation, as in 2Corinthians 9:2. What is forbidden is a constant and restless stimulation, "spurring the willing horse;" which will end in failure and despondency.
