Colossians 3:21

While children must obey both parents, the father (pateron) has the primary responsibility for his children as head of the household. For this reason Paul addressed the fathers here. What is in view here is the habitual provoking of children by insensitive parents, especially fathers. Some provocation is necessary in disciplining, but ceaseless irritation causes children to become discouraged, sullen, angry, and even hateful.

"Paul may have had in mind the regimen of ’don’ts’ that loomed so large in the Colossian heresy." [Note: Vaughan, p. 219.]