What Does the Bible Say About Deadbeat Dads?

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 44 helpful votes

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 12 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

1 John 2:1-29 ESV / 10 helpful votes

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: ...

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Ruth 1:1-22 ESV / 8 helpful votes

In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. ...

Colossians 1:1-29 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, ...

Romans 1:1-32 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, ...

John 3:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:1-36 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ...

Proverbs 10:1 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

Numbers 2:1-34 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers' houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side. Those to camp on the east side toward the sunrise shall be of the standard of the camp of Judah by their companies, the chief of the people of Judah being Nahshon the son of Amminadab, his company as listed being 74,600. Those to camp next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar, the chief of the people of Issachar being Nethanel the son of Zuar, ...

James 1:1-27 ESV / 6 helpful votes

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ...

2 Kings 1:1-18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.” But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So Elijah went. The messengers returned to the king, and he said to them, “Why have you returned?” ...

2 Samuel 1:1-27 ESV / 6 helpful votes

After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. David said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” And David said to him, “How did it go? Tell me.” And he answered, “The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” ...

Ruth 1:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there.

Numbers 4:1-49 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their clans and their fathers' houses, from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who can come on duty, to do the work in the tent of meeting. This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting: the most holy things. When the camp is to set out, Aaron and his sons shall go in and take down the veil of the screen and cover the ark of the testimony with it. ...

Numbers 3:1-51 ESV / 6 helpful votes

These are the generations of Aaron and Moses at the time when the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ordained to serve as priests. But Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ...

Numbers 1:1-54 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, “Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by clans, by fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head. From twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war, you and Aaron shall list them, company by company. And there shall be with you a man from each tribe, each man being the head of the house of his fathers. And these are the names of the men who shall assist you. From Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur; ...

James 2:26 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— ...

Ephesians 6:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),

Ephesians 6:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Galatians 5:16-26 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ...

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 30:17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.

Proverbs 23:13-14 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

Proverbs 1:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching,

Exodus 21:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death.

2 Thessalonians 1:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Colossians 1:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

Romans 1:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

John 3:16-17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

2 Kings 1:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.”

2 Samuel 1:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage.

Numbers 4:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, by their clans and their fathers' houses,

Numbers 3:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Numbers 2:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Those to camp on the east side toward the sunrise shall be of the standard of the camp of Judah by their companies, the chief of the people of Judah being Nahshon the son of Amminadab,

Numbers 1:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by clans, by fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Colossians 3:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Romans 1:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,

John 3:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Exodus 20:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

46 Bible Verses about Deadbeat Dads

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 44 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 2:1-29 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ruth 1:1-22 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 1:1-29 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:1-32 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:1-36 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:1 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Numbers 2:1-34 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:1-27 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Kings 1:1-18 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Samuel 1:1-27 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ruth 1:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Numbers 4:1-49 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Numbers 3:1-51 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Numbers 1:1-54 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:26 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:16-26 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 30:17 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 23:13-14 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 1:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 21:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Thessalonians 1:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 1:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Kings 1:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Samuel 1:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Numbers 4:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Numbers 3:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Numbers 2:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Numbers 1:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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