6:4a

Fathers: Some versions, for example the Good News Translation and the New Jerusalem Bible, translate this as “parents”, referring to both father and mother. But the Greek word here (pater) is different from the word meaning “parents” in 6:1. Therefore, it is better to translate this Greek word as “fathers” in this verse.

do not provoke your children to wrath: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as provoke…to wrath means “to make angry.” Fathers should not treat their children in a harsh or unjust way that would make them angry or resentful. The tense of the verb in Greek shows that Paul has in mind a continual harsh and critical attitude of a father towards his children, not a sudden outburst of anger.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
don’t make your children bitter about life (God’s Word)

6:4b

instead: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as instead is literally “but.” It marks a negative-positive contrast between 6:4a and 6:4b (do not do…but instead do…). Translate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language. Another way to indicate this negative-positive contrast in English is:

but rather

bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord: The phrase bring them up means “raise children” or “rear children.”

in the discipline: The word discipline refers to the whole process of raising and educating children. Discipline and instruction are part of the training including rules of how to behave.

instruction: The word instruction is similar in meaning to “discipline” but focuses more on the ideas of teaching and warning.

of the Lord: Fathers must teach their children “as the Lord wants,” “in a way which the Lord approves” or “according to the word of the Lord.” For example:

Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord. (New Living Translation (1996))

This phrase probably does not mean that fathers should teach their children “about the Lord” in this context.

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