Show proper respect/honor to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.1 Peter 2 v 17
The word honor means to highly respect, regard or esteem. It is also defined as honesty, fairness or integrity in one’s beliefs and actions. Usually, people in positions of authority are to be honored by those under their authority. However, the scriptures seem to require believers to go a step further and honor everyone. In the world we are taught to value others based on their material possessions, academic achievements or even skin color and physical appearance. This sets us up only ascribe honor to those who qualify based on those standards, while we dishonor those who don’t. Racism at its core is a system designed to dishonor people based on race.
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
After 60 years of desegregation, where most churches lack diversity, not matching the population in demographics. White churches for the most part do not usually have black or ethnic minorities in leadership roles. And black and minority churches do not have white members for the most part. ” Today, 86 percent of American churches lack any meaningful racial diversity. It is still true that, as Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observed, “the most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o’clock on Sunday morning.” Racial Segregation in the Church (eji.org)
Romans 12 v 10
After George Floyds death most of corporate America has added diversity training to their curriculum for their employees and are making an effort to be more inclusive, while for the most part the church is going along with business as usual, oblivious to the fact that the scripture requires us to honor everyone. Released! New 2020 Statistics on Multiracial Churches – Multiethnic.Church
The criteria for honor matters
The requirement that we honor everyone means that just because people are made in the image of the Creator is enough reason to honor them, to treat them fairly and with respect. Regardless of their color creed or caste the essence of their being is spirit and to honor them is to honor their maker. If the system by which we determine how to confer honor is designed by the world it is not going to meet biblical standards.
A persons behavior can make it difficult for us to honor them, however that does not let us off the hook. We are required to honor everyone, love our enemies and love our neighbors as ourselves. We don’t get to determine what amount of honor is due based on our warped sense of importance, The Almighty is the one who sets those parameters.
David’s men said to David, “See, this is the day the Almighty told you, ‘See, I am about to give the one who hates you into your hand. You will do to him what you think is best.’” Then David got up and cut off a piece of Saul’s clothing in secret. 5 After this, David felt guilty in his heart because he had cut off a piece of Saul’s clothing. 6 So he said to his men, “May the Almighty not let me put out my hand against my leader, for he is Yah’s chosen one.” 7 David stopped his men with these words. He did not let them go against Saul. So Saul stood up and left the cave, and went on his way.
1 samuel 24
Give honor to whom it is due
Employers are expected to show honor to employees by treating them justly and fairly.
“Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.”
COL. 4 V 1
On the other hand workers are to honor their earthly masters “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God/ Alayim ;”
We are required to honor leaders in the assembly and in government.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of Yah: the powers that be are ordained of Yah. …… For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Romans 13 v 1-7
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 1 Timothy 5 v 17.
Honor is based on worth
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.
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only Almighty, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1 v 17
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. Romans 13 v 7
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for Yah will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Hebrews 13 v 4
“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6 v 2-3
That each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 1 Thessalonians 4 v 4
He received honor and glory from Yah the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 2 Peter 1 v 17
In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Rev 5 v 12-13
Honor by association
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.” Rev 4 v 9-11
You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Cor 6-20
When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. Luke 14 v 7-8
Who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.1 Timothy 6 v 16
And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. Hebrews 5 v4
“ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Mathew 15 v 8
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12 v 26
But now the Almighty declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained. 1 Samuel 2 v 30.
Honor the Almighty with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.
Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21 v 21
Things that affect honor
Humility is the fear of the Almighty; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22 v 4
Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Almighty. Proverbs 14 v 31
Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor. Proverbs 29v 23
Offense and familiarity sometimes causes dishonor.
7 And they took offense at him. But Jesus/ Yashya said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”
Mathews 13 v 57
A lack of knowledge about honor and to whom it is due is also a factor. We honor The Almighty by tithing and praise and worship. We also honor Him by our obedience to Him and His son as well as His torah. We honor our parents by showing respect to them and acknowledging their contribution to our lives. We can also show honor through our tone of voice.