God Is A Father

   Although human fathers may not always be what they should, the Bible teaches that God is a perfect Father.

2 CORINTHIANS 6:18 NKJ
18 "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

EPHESIANS 3:14-15 NKJ
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

Ephesians 3:15

(Phillips) (from whom all fatherhood, earthly or heavenly, derives its name),

(Amplified) For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named -- [that Father] from Whom all fatherhood takes it title and derives its name.

(Barclay, Daily Study Bible) of whose fatherhood all heavenly and earthly fatherhood is a copy,

   The Translator's New Testament says, "A play on Greek words is involved here. The meaning is that the whole human idea of family and fatherhood owes its origin to God the Father."

   Tyndale New Testament Commentary says, "He is also the One from whom alone all the fatherhood that there is derives its meaning and inspiration. From Him it derives its existence and its concept . . . ."

Psalm 103:13

(NKJ) As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.

(Jerusalem) As tenderly as a father treats his children, so Yahweh treats those who fear him;

(Beck) As a father loves His children, so the LORD loves those who fear Him.

   The Theological Wordbook Of The Old Testament says of this word, "deep love (usually of a "superior" for an "inferior") rooted in some "natural" bond. God looks upon his own as a father looks upon his children;"

   Gesenius' Lexicon says of this word, "To Love . . . cherishing; to behold with tenderest affection; used of the love of parents towards their children, and of the compassion of God towards men."

God, The Father

1 CORINTHIANS 8:6 NKJ
6 yet for us there is only one God, the Father, of whom are all things . . . .

MATTHEW 7:11 NKJ
11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

ISAIAH 49:15 NKJ
15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.

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