The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of honor and how we can honor God and honor others. Here is an overview of some of the key teachings on honor found throughout Scripture:
Honoring God
We are called to honor and glorify God above all else. 1 Chronicles 16:29 states, “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name.” Ultimately, the highest form of honor is loving, worshipping and obeying God. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). When we strive to put God first in our lives and align our priorities with His will, we honor Him.
Honoring God also means respecting His holiness and authority. In Revelation 4:11 it says, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” We honor God by acknowledging His supreme worth and submitting to Him as Lord of our lives. As 1 Peter 3:15 says, we are to “honor Christ the Lord as holy.”
Some specific ways the Bible instructs us to honor and revere God include:
- Praising and thanking Him (Psalm 50:23)
- Trusting in His unfailing love (Isaiah 25:1)
- Bringing offerings and coming before Him with reverent fear (Malachi 1:6)
- Gathering together to worship Him (Psalm 22:23)
- Living a holy and upright life (1 Corinthians 6:20)
Honoring Others
In addition to honoring God, the Bible calls us to honor those He has placed in positions of authority and treat others with value and respect. Scripture contains many “one another” passages that instruct us how to relate to and honor fellow believers.
We are to honor those in authority over us, including government leaders. Romans 13:7 says, “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Other passages tell us to honor kings (1 Peter 2:17), submit to governing authorities (1 Peter 2:13-14), and pray for those in leadership (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
Ephesians 6:2 instructs children to “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise. We honor our parents by respecting them, being obedient, and caring for them in their older age. 1 Timothy 5:3 says, “Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.” Honoring widows and the elderly reflects their worth and dignity as humans made in God’s image.
We are to honor our brothers and sisters in Christ and fellow believers. Romans 12:10 says, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” We honor fellow Christians when we treat them with love and humility, when we use our gifts to serve one another (1 Peter 4:10), and when we respect our differences (Romans 14:1-12).
Marriage is to be honored and kept pure (Hebrews 13:4). Husbands are instructed, “Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). Wives are commanded to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:33). Honoring our spouses reflects the sacrificial love of Christ.
Here are some other ways the Bible tells us to show honor to others:
- Acknowledge those who serve well (1 Timothy 5:17)
- Associate with the lowly (Romans 12:16)
- Be humble and consider others above yourselves (Philippians 2:3-4)
- Speak gently and with respect (1 Peter 3:15-16)
- Give fellow believers the benefit of the doubt (1 Corinthians 13:7)
- Care for the poor, weak and needy (1 Corinthians 12:22-25)
God Honors the Humble
The Bible clearly states that God honors and opposes the proud. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” We honor God when we humble ourselves before Him and recognize our dependence on Him. He gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34).
Jesus displayed humility by washing His disciples feet even though He was Lord and Teacher (John 13:14-15). Philippians 2:8 says Jesus “humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!” God honored Christ’s sacrifice by seating Him at His right hand.
When we humble ourselves before God, we can be confident He will honor us (1 Peter 5:6). As 1 Samuel 2:30 states, “Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.” The reward for humility is exaltation and eternal honor from God.
Examples of Biblical Characters Who Honored God and Others
Many righteous men and women in the Bible honored God and others in profound ways. Their examples inspire us to live honorably:
- Joseph – He honored God by resisting temptation and fleeing sexual sin. He honored his father Jacob and forgave his brothers who had mistreated him (Genesis 37-45).
- Ruth – She honored her mother-in-law Naomi by refusing to leave her side and sacrificially working to provide for her. Her noble character led her to Boaz and a place in the lineage of Christ (Book of Ruth).
- Daniel – He honored God by boldly praying three times a day even when it was illegal. He also honored the authority of kings while refusing to compromise his faith (Daniel 1-6).
- Mary – She honored the Lord by trusting His word to her and bearing Jesus. Her humble obedience has been praised throughout generations (Luke 1:26-56).
- John the Baptist – He honored Christ by recognizing Jesus as the promised Messiah and willingly decreasing while Jesus increased (John 3:22-36).
- Stephen – He was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. Before being martyred, he honored God by fearlessly preaching His word and praying for his persecutors (Acts 6:8-7:60).
Blessings and Curses Associated with Honor
The Bible contains many verses about the blessings that come through honoring God and consequences of failing to honor Him. “Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained” (1 Samuel 2:30). Here are some blessings and cursesScripture associates with honor:
Blessings for the Honorable:
- They will be honored by God (1 Samuel 2:30)
- Their prayers will be heard (John 9:31)
- They will receive a crown of life (Revelation 2:10)
- They will reap eternal honor (Psalm 84:11-12)
- They will abide in God’s presence (Psalm 15:1-2)
Consequences for the Dishonorable:
- They will be despised by God (1 Samuel 2:30)
- Their prayers will be hindered (1 Peter 3:7)
- They will suffer judgment/condemnation (Romans 2:8-9)
- They will not enter God’s rest (Hebrews 3:11)
- They will be repaid with evil (Jeremiah 49:10)
Key Principles about Honor in Scripture
Here are some key themes and takeaways about honor that emerge throughout the Bible:
- Honor originates from and is defined by God, not cultural values.
- Honoring God should be our highest duty and privilege.
- Honoring others reflects their dignity as God’s image-bearers.
- Honor is grounded in love, service, sacrifice, and humility.
- God blesses and rewards those who honor Him and honors the humble.
- Dishonoring God or others has serious consequences.
- Jesus Christ perfectly modeled honor in selfless obedience to the Father.
- Believers are called to honor God and honor all people.
In summary, the Bible provides profound and practical principles about what it means to live a life of honor. Our honor is ultimately judged by how we treat and revere God. But it is also expressed in how we respect, value, and elevate others. By God’s strength, may we become people of honor who glorify Christ in all we do.