Note 4 at Col. 3:21: Paul now turns to the responsibility of the parents, especially that of the fathers. Parents are not to provoke their children. "Provoke" carries the idea of inciting them to anger or resentment, making them bitter, disturbing or troubling their minds. This leads to discouragement.

"Discouraged" is the Greek word ATHUMEO and means "to be disheartened, dispirited and broken in spirit" (Thayer).

Other parental responsiblies include: to teach (Dt. 6:7, 20-22), to train (Prov. 22:6; Isa. 38:19), to nurture (Eph. 6:4), to control (1 Tim. 3:4), to chasten (Dt. 21:18), to provide for (2 Cor. 12:14), and to love (Ti. 2:4).

Note 5 at Col. 3:21: This is the same instruction that Paul gave the Ephesians in Ephesians 6:4. However, in this letter to the Colossians, Paul adds the phrase, "lest they be discouraged." This gives clarity and explanation as to why it is so important for fathers not to provoke their children (see notes 6-7 at Eph. 6:4, p. 1139).