Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and submission of parents. This word ultimately refers to a secure attachment between parent and child in the family home. This secure attachment comes from parent submission, where parents are to submit to children just as they would to God, from beneath yet from above, expecting absolutely nothing in return. See also John 7:24; Matt. 22:35-40, 25:31-46.
The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers to damages or offenses, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and was understood in its original context, as a moral statute prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including, but not limited to, any punishments, reprimands, or other controlling demeanor towards children. In the Old Testament, punitive parents were put to death by way of bloodletting, after punishing their children one last time. The parents who punished their children were charged with kidnapping, with "kidnapping" being defined under the Law as the slightest of damages or offenses stemming from hostage-taking - child punishment was seen in biblical times as holding your children hostage merely for things that they did wrong, thereby treating your child as a quartered slave. Paul here was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing children into the church. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment of a child in his secular writings. Paul may not have gotten along with the women of the church, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as a deacon.
The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers to here, in this context, to gently melding the countenance of children. In light of Eph. 6:4, first stanza, the second stanza can only mean one thing - lavish praise and encouragement whenever a child was caught in the act of good behavior. Whenever children were caught being good, they were given lavish praise and encouragement with statements such as "keep headed down the straight path". Children ultimately learned good traits through the Christian example of parents. However, that good example is backed up by lavish praise and encouragement, and not harsh punishments or force. Children also need religious instruction, as religion is a need for children alike. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to self-directed religious instruction. This religious instruction started with fathers leaving out a Bible for children to discover and explore. When children were caught in the act of studying the Bible, they were lavishly praised and encouraged with statements such as "that book is good for you". From there, religious instruction came in question and answer format, based off of the text that they saw. Children were eager to learn the facts of life, with fathers being quick to give pointers on the context. This religious instruction, and the extra praise with it, helped to center the countenance of children, with this centeredness being the Judeo-Christian goal of any Christian parent.
Children today have a new tool of exploring theological concepts - the Internet itself. At some point, children find religious literature discussing the fallen nature of mankind. The idea is to comfort any blow to them from learning they are sinners. The idea is to remind them of Christ's work on the cross, and reassure children using Christ as a hope and Savior.
The whole idea behind the word νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) is that the religious instruction be self-directed. In the modern times, the Internet makes religious instruction more available. However, children usually discover the Bible, and ask parents 20 questions about religion, as well as getting some of their information from the Internet. Some of these questions posed by children will involve topics related to sin and atonement. Be honest, and hide nothing from them, but reassure them nonetheless. There is no need to beat religion into a child, as religion is a human need for children, just as it is for adults.
The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger through punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which is the ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!