Honoring God Through the Three Estates
The First Wednesday in Lent – 3/12/2025
Exodus 20:12
Rev. Christopher W. Brademeyer
That portion of God’s holy Word for consideration this evening is Exodus 20:12 which reads as follows:
“ Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”[1]
Thus far the Scriptures.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Authority and hierarchy, structure and order: these are the things protected by God’s holy Law, the Fourth Commandment, “Honor your father and your mother.” This commandment is more than just a rule for children; it is the foundation for how we honor all authority established by God. Martin Luther, in his Large Catechism, explains this commandment by referencing what he calls the Three Estates—the Family, the Church, and the Government. In each of these, God has placed people in authority for our good, and in honoring them, we ultimately honor Him.
In brief, this commandment reminds us of the order that God wills and creates for us in our interactions among ourselves and the protection that God grants to such things. If you find yourself in a position of authority, then you ought to use that authority in God-pleasing ways and for the promotion of order and benefit for those under that authority. And if you find yourself under an authority, then you ought to obey and seek the success of that authority so long as he or she does not require you to disobey God.
The three estates are the three primary arrangements of authority on this earth. Each of these, though over us, are still under the rule of God and responsible to Him. There is no such thing as an authority or sphere in our life that is free from the rule of God. However, each of these estates has different scopes to their authority and different realms of responsibility. These are not meant to compete with each other, but all three are supposed to work harmoniously together under God for the betterment of the world and people around us.
I. The First Estate: The Family
God’s first and most fundamental structure for human society is the family. Parents are given the responsibility to raise, nurture, and instruct their children in faith and good living. In return, children are to respect, obey, and cherish their parents. This is primary simply because this is the most basic and natural of authority relationships that we human beings have. Each of us has parents, whether good or bad, and, as such, we are responsible to them and they to us.
Parents stand in the place of God in their homes, serving as His representatives. This means that when children honor their parents, they are honoring God Himself. But this also carries a responsibility—parents must not abuse their authority but must lovingly guide their children in the ways of the Lord. Indeed, it is a sadly common thing that someone who comes from a troubled home in their youth has a hard time understanding how God could be our good Father since their earthly father or mother let them down. This is the great responsibility of parents: raising children is to teach them about how authority works and, since they represent God in the order of their houses, teach by their words and actions how God cares for us. This is hard, which is why the home, much like the Church, needs constant confession of sin and forgiveness.
For children, this commandment remains binding throughout life. Even as adults, we should honor our parents with love, care, and respect, especially as they grow older. This can be hard, especially for difficult parents and children. This command also brings a promise: where parents rule their houses with Christian love and conviction and the children obey as Christians, there will be blessing in this good and stable rule. For those of us trying to navigate parenthood or being children, we can gain great insight to how to act in these relationships by looking to the example of God and how He rules His Kingdom. Yes, God certainly has justice and he most certainly enforces it, both by punishment and by good structure, He also is quick to extend mercy. This is a great example for each parent: structure and order are good and should be expected and maintained, and this order should follow God’s own. But, as with our Father, parents must always be ready to extend forgiveness, mercy, and grace to their children when needed. The absence and justice leads to entitlement. The absence of mercy and forgiveness leads to legalistic arrogance.
II. The Second Estate: The Church
Just as God gives parents to govern the home, He gives pastors to the Church. Luther calls these men "spiritual fathers," for they care for the souls of God’s people. To despise them, neglect the preaching of the Word, or rebel against godly teaching is to dishonor God Himself.
Thus, we should support our pastors, listen to their teaching, and receive correction with humility. At the same time, those in spiritual authority must shepherd the flock faithfully, preaching the truth in love and setting an example of godliness. But this does not mean that there is no recourse for a bad pastor; if I or any pastor is doing something against the Scriptures, either by teaching wrongly or living wrongly, then any Christian can, and should, bring that to his attention from the Scriptures.
Pastors, in turn, must always remember that the Church is an institution of mercy, built on the saving death of Christ. And while pastors must preach the Law of God in all its sternness, they must always be quick with the means of grace and holy absolution for those who are in distress due to sin. They must remember that they serve Christ, not men, and, as such, must serve the congregations of Christ’s own church and the people in them as the Lord would command. Pastors should be respected yes, but they should never be arrogant or haughty; pastors are not to be powerful, but instead, to do their duty in the humility that all their power and authority comes from the Word of God.
Christians, in turn, should take care of their pastors, listening to him and following his example in Christian living. One of the more dangerous ideas that has crept into the Christian Church is that of functionalism, that is to say, the incorrect idea that the pastor really has no authority or that his call is not from God through the congregation, but that the congregation and her members should lord over him. Yes, pastors are to serve, but the authority in the Church is neither pastor nor voter’s meeting, but the Word of God. All things must be governed by it and under it. To do otherwise invites spiritual disaster.
III. The Third Estate: The Government
Luther also teaches that rulers and public officials are "fathers of the nation." Civil authority is established by God to maintain order and justice. Paul affirms this in Romans 13:1, saying, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God."
To honor rulers and authorities is to honor the One who placed them in power. This means paying taxes, obeying just laws, and praying for those in leadership. However, just as with parents and pastors, those in government must also rule with wisdom, integrity, and care for the people.
It is important to note that when any authority contradicts God’s Word, we must obey God rather than men.[2] However, even in disagreement, we are called to respond with respect and prayer. Leaders must follow the law, behave honorably, not be corrupt, and so forth. And we who are under them should obey them and respect them. Biblically, respect is not something that is earned by individuals, but is something that is conferred by holding a respectable office. So, the mayor of Oakes may or may not be someone you like, but he, as the mayor, is to be respected and spoken to and about in a respectful way. The same is true of all other offices. This gets complicated for us in that our rulers are not hereditary or appointed, but are elected. And there is a temptation in this to place ourselves over them rather than under their authority. Regardless of how they enter into their offices, these rulers must be treated with respect and deference even if they are bad at their jobs or urging us to ungodliness. In such a situation we must certainly not obey them, but we cannot indulge our sinful desire to hate authority.
Conclusion:
The Fourth Commandment is not just about family; it is about how we honor God by respecting the authorities He has established. In honoring parents, pastors, and rulers, we reflect our obedience to God. At the same time, those in authority are called to serve faithfully, for they will answer to God for how they lead. These Three Estates, the Family, the Church, and the State, each have their own sphere of operation and responsibility. They should not step on or over each other. Churches should not be passing legislation or employing police. The State should not pass laws telling churches when or how to meet or what to believe. Families should not replace church or state with their own selves and activities, a sadly common breach of the structure of the three estates these days. But, when these three each operate in their God-given, compatible distinctiveness, then we have good order, peace, and every blessing that comes with that.
Let us all strive to live in obedience to this commandment, honoring God through the Three Estates He has ordained. And where we have fallen short, may we turn to Christ, who perfectly honored His Father, both in heaven and on earth, securing our redemption by His obedience to the authority of His Father. And in so doing, we will certainly have the forgiveness and grace we require.
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
[1] Exodus 20:12 English Standard Version
[2] Acts 5:29
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