Westminster Larger Catechism · 1647

Q125. Why are superiors styled Father and Mother?

Superiors are styled Father and Mother, both to teach them in all duties toward their inferiors, like natural parents, to express love and tenderness to them, according to their several relations; and to work inferiors to a greater willingness and cheerfulness in performing their duties to their superiors, as to their parents.
Answer · Westminster Larger Catechism

Scripture proofs

  1. [1]
    Ephesians 6:4

    And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

    2 Corinthians 12:14

    Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

    1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

    But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

    1 Thessalonians 2:11

    As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

    Numbers 11:11-12

    And Moses said unto the Lord, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?

  2. [2]
    1 Corinthians 4:14-16

    I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

    2 Kings 5:13

    And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?

Proof texts as given in the original; verse text from the King James Version.