In the Bible, “honored” refers to showing great respect or distinction, often in the context of valuing one’s relationship with God and others. It signifies recognizing the worth of individuals and treating them with dignity, as seen in passages like 1 Timothy 5:17, which emphasizes honoring church leaders.
Scripture
12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
13 “You shall not murder.”
14 “You shall not commit adultery.”
15 “You shall not steal.”
16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Biblical Definition of “Honored”
The concept of being “honored” in the Bible extends beyond mere respect, encompassing a deep acknowledgment of the intrinsic value of individuals as creations of God. This is evident in the commandment to “honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12), which highlights the significance of familial relationships and the broader social structure in which respect plays a foundational role. Additionally, 1 Peter 2:17 calls believers to “Honor everyone,” reinforcing the idea that each person deserves respect and esteem, irrespective of their social or economic status. The act of honoring is then seen as both a personal choice and a communal responsibility, promoting harmony and love within the body of Christ.
Moreover, honoring is intrinsically linked to the divine mandate of humility and servanthood. In Philippians 2:3, Paul instructs believers to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” This suggests that true honor is not just about recognition or accolades but about valuing others, seeing worth in them, and reflecting God’s love through selflessness. In this light, being honored in the biblical sense fosters a spirit of unity and mutual respect, integral to both individual relationships and the communal life of the Church. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder that to honor others is to honor God, who created each person in His image.
The biblical idea of being “honored” further illustrates the relationship between human dignity and God’s creation. In the context of leaders and authority figures, Scripture often emphasizes the importance of honoring those in positions of power. For example, in Romans 13:7, believers are urged to give honor to whom honor is due, suggesting that recognition of authority is intrinsically woven into the fabric of society. This implies that honoring extends to understanding and fulfilling the roles God has placed within various spheres of life, whether in familial, societal, or institutional contexts. Honoring those who lead can be seen as part of God’s order, where respect fosters accountability, integrity, and stability.
Additionally, honoring is tied to the concept of stewardship within the Christian faith. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), for instance, emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to honor the gifts and resources entrusted to them. In this narrative, the servants who use their talents wisely are commended, while the one who hides his talent is reprimanded. Here, to honor God’s gifts is to use them for His glory and the benefit of others, reinforcing the idea that honoring transcends simple acknowledgment; it involves action and responsibility. Thus, honoring in the Bible is a multidimensional theme that interconnects respect, stewardship, and the overarching mandate to recognize and foster the inherent worth of one another as part of God’s creation, encouraging believers to embody these principles in all areas of life.
The Value of Respect and Reverence
In the biblical context, “honored” often signifies a deep respect and reverence for individuals, particularly those in positions of authority or leadership. This respect is not merely a social nicety but is rooted in the understanding that such positions are ordained by God. Honoring others reflects an acknowledgment of their role in the divine order and promotes harmony within the community.
The Importance of Integrity and Character
To be “honored” in the Bible also relates to the integrity and character of an individual. Honor is often associated with moral uprightness and righteousness. Those who live according to God’s commandments and exhibit virtuous behavior are seen as deserving of honor. This concept emphasizes that true honor is not just about status or position but is intrinsically linked to one’s character and actions.
The Call to Honor God
Ultimately, the concept of being “honored” in the Bible extends to the relationship between humanity and God. Honoring God involves worship, obedience, and a life that reflects His glory. This divine honor is reciprocal; as individuals honor God through their lives, they experience His favor and blessings. Thus, honoring God is seen as the highest calling, influencing how believers interact with others and live out their faith.
How to Cultivate Reverence in Your Christian Walk
Cultivating reverence in your Christian walk is a deeply personal journey that begins with a heart attuned to God’s presence in every aspect of life. Start by setting aside intentional time for prayer and reflection, allowing yourself to be still and listen for His voice. Engage with Scripture not just as a text, but as a living conversation with God—meditate on passages that speak to His holiness and love, and let them transform your understanding of who He is. Surround yourself with a community of believers who inspire you to grow in faith, and participate in worship that elevates your spirit and draws you closer to the divine. Remember, reverence is not just about awe; it’s about recognizing the sacred in the ordinary, seeing God’s hand in the beauty of creation, and responding with gratitude and humility. As you practice these habits, you’ll find that reverence becomes a natural part of your daily life, enriching your relationship with God and deepening your commitment to living out His teachings.
Bible References to the Definition of “Honored”:
Deuteronomy 5:16-21: 16 “‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
17 “‘You shall not murder.
18 And you shall not commit adultery.
19 And you shall not steal.
20 ‘You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
21 And you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. And you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.
1 Samuel 2:30-36: 30 Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.’
31 Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house.
32 Then you will see distress in the tent that is to befall Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever.
33 The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men.
34 And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day.
35 And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever.
36 And everyone who is left in your house shall come to implore him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread and shall say, “Please put me in one of the priests’ places, that I may eat a morsel of bread.”
Proverbs 3:9-10: 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Proverbs 15:33-35: 33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
Proverbs 22:4-6: 4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Isaiah 29:13-16: 13 And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,
14 therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”
15 Ah, you who hide deep from the Lord your counsel,
whose deeds are in the dark,
and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”
16 You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?
Isaiah 43:4-7: 4 Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
peoples in exchange for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.
6 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth,
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
Malachi 1:6-9: 6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? declares the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’
7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised.
8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Offer that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? declares the Lord of hosts.
9 And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? Declares the Lord of hosts.
Matthew 15:4-9: 4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’
5 But you say, ‘Whoever tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is a gift for God”—
6 he need not honor his father. So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God.
7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
8 “‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
John 5:22-24: 22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,
23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Romans 12:10-13: 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20: 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 12:23-26: 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty,
24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,
25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
Ephesians 6:1-3: 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),
3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Philippians 2:3-4: 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
1 Timothy 5:3-8: 3 Honor widows who are truly widows.
4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,
6 But she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.
7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach.
8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Peter 2:17-19: 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.
19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
Revelation 4:9-11: 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.