Definition of Honour in a Biblical Context
Honour, within the biblical context, is a multifaceted concept encompassing reverence, respect, and recognition of worth.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word kavod (כָּבוֹד) often signifies weightiness, glory, or splendour, reflecting the inherent value or worth of a person, object, or God Himself. In the New Testament, the Greek term timē (τιμή) similarly conveys notions of respect, reverence, and recognition of value, particularly within the context of relationships and community dynamics.
The Importance of Honor in Christian Theology
Theologically, honor plays a crucial role in the relationship between God and mankind, as well as within the divine Godhead itself. Honor is integral to understanding the nature of God, His interactions with mankind, and the ethical demands placed upon believers. The concept of honor not only reflects God’s glory and worth but also informs the believer’s ethical obligations towards God, fellow humans, and the broader creation.
The Concept of Honor in the Old Testament
Hebrew Terms for Honor (כָּבוֹד, kavod) and Their Meanings
The Hebrew term kavod is often associated with glory and honor, particularly concerning God’s presence and majesty. It conveys the idea of something that is weighty or substantial, implying intrinsic worth and significance.
In the Old Testament, kavod is frequently used to describe God’s glory (e.g., Exodus 24:16-17) and the honor due to Him by His people (e.g., Psalm 29:1-2).
Exodus 24:16-17 (ASV) And the glory of Jehovah abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 And the appearance of the glory of Jehovah was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
Psalm 29:1-2 (KJV) Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Honor in the Covenant Relationship Between God and Israel
In the covenant relationship between God and Israel, honor is a foundational concept. God’s covenant with Israel is characterized by His faithful love and the honor due to Him as their sovereign Lord. Israel is called to honor God through obedience, worship, and the upholding of His commandments. The Ten Commandments itself include commands that directly relate to honor, such as the command to honor one’s parents (Exodus 20:12), which reflects a broader principle of honoring God through righteous relationships.
Examples of Honor in the Lives of Patriarchs and Prophets
The lives of the patriarchs and prophets provide numerous examples of honor in action:
- Abraham’s faithfulness to God,
- Moses’ leadership and intercession for Israel, and
- David’s respect for Saul’s kingship despite Saul’s hostility are all instances where honor, both towards God and others, is a central theme.
These narratives highlight the reciprocal nature of honor in God’s relationship with His chosen people.
Honor in the Law: Commandments and Ethical Instructions
The Mosaic Law contains numerous commandments and ethical instructions that emphasize the importance of honor. These include laws related to social justice, the proper treatment of others, and the honoring of God through ritual and moral purity. The command to honor one’s parents, as noted earlier, serves as a foundation for understanding the broader ethical demands of the Law.
Honor in the New Testament
Greek Terms for Honor (τιμή, timē) and Their Theological Significance
In the New Testament, the Greek term timē is used to express concepts of honor, respect, and value, particularly within the context of social and familial relationships. It reflects the Christian ethos of love, humility, and mutual respect, as modelled by Christ and taught by the apostles. Honor in the New Testament is not merely a social expectation but a theological imperative rooted in the nature of God and the example of Christ.
The Teaching of Jesus on Honor: The Sermon on the Mount and Parables
Jesus’ teachings, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), redefine traditional notions of honor by emphasizing humility, meekness, and a servant-hearted approach to life. The Beatitudes, for example, turn conventional honor upside down by blessing the poor in spirit, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Jesus’ parables, such as the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14), further illustrate the reversal of worldly honor in favor of divine honor.
Apostolic Teaching on Honor: Pauline and Petrine Epistles
The apostolic writings continue to develop the theme of honor, with Paul and Peter addressing the importance of honor in various aspects of Christian life. Paul, in his letters, frequently exhorts believers to honor one another, to submit to authorities, and to live lives worthy of the gospel (e.g., Romans 12:10, Ephesians 6:2). Peter similarly emphasizes the need for honoring all people, particularly within the context of suffering and persecution (1 Peter 2:17).
Honor in the Early Church: Community Life and Ethical Conduct
The early Christian community, as described in Acts and the epistles, was characterized by a strong emphasis on mutual honor and respect. This was reflected in the communal sharing of resources, the honoring of leaders, and the ethical conduct expected of believers. The early church’s commitment to honor within the community served as a witness to the transformative power of the gospel.
Theology of Honor in the Divine Godhead
The Trinitarian Relationship: Mutual Honor Among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
The doctrine of the Trinity provides a profound basis for understanding honor within the Godhead. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-equal and co-eternal, each person of the Trinity honoring the other in perfect unity and love. This mutual honor is intrinsic to the divine nature and is reflected in the relationships between the persons of the Trinity.
The Pattern of what God is building is FAMILY out of which flows AGAPE LOVE that reflects the Heart of the Father!
• Our God is a “Family” – Father, Son, Spirit
• In God there is a plurality of Persons, indivisible, yet distinguishable as Father, Son, Spirit
• One God, yet Plurality of Persons, Co-equal, Co-eternal
• There is Oneness of expression and function, yet ranking for function
• No competition, but recognition
• There is a divine relational order of Father and Son by the Spirit
Christ’s Honoring of the Father: Obedience, Submission, and Glorification
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, consistently honored the Father through His obedience and submission, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross. This act of ultimate obedience brought glory and honor to the Father, as Jesus fulfilled the divine plan of salvation. The honor that Christ gives to the Father is also seen in His prayer life, particularly in the High Priestly Prayer of John 17, where He seeks the glorification of the Father through His own glorification.
The Father’s Honor of the Son: Exaltation and Divine Authority
The Father, in turn, honors the Son by exalting Him to the highest place and bestowing upon Him all authority in heaven and on earth (Philippians 2:9-11). This exaltation is the Father’s recognition of the Son’s obedience and sacrifice, affirming the Son’s divine status and the honor due to Him from all creation.
The Holy Spirit’s Role in Honoring the Son and the Father
The Holy Spirit’s role within the Trinity includes honoring both the Father and the Son. The Spirit glorifies the Son by revealing Him to believers and empowering them to live in accordance with His teachings. The Spirit also honors the Father by guiding believers into all truth and enabling them to bear fruit that glorifies God.
The Implications of Divine Honor for Christian Ethics
Imitating Divine Honor in Human Relationships
The honor displayed within the Godhead serves as a model for human relationships. Christians are called to imitate the mutual honor and love of the Trinity in their interactions with others. This includes showing respect, valuing others above oneself, and living in a manner that displays self-emptying (kenosis) embodies a selfless honor that prioritizes the well-being, dignity, and value of others above one’s own status or rights.
This concept directly challenges the prevailing cultural notion that honor is to be sought for oneself through personal achievement, status, or recognition. Instead, Christian ethics, grounded in the imitation of divine honor, calls believers to a radically different approach—one that emphasizes humility, servanthood, and the lifting up of others.
The Kenotic Model: Selfless Honor and Servanthood
In Philippians 2:5-8, the Apostle Paul presents Christ as the supreme example of selfless honor, where Christ, though equal with God, “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.” This kenotic model of self-giving love reflects not only Christ’s submission to the Father but also His honoring of humanity by taking on human flesh and enduring the cross. This act of self-giving is the ultimate expression of divine honor, as Christ places the needs of humanity above His own glory, seeking their salvation even at the cost of His own suffering.
Christ’s example serves as the ethical paradigm for Christian life. Believers are called to embody this selfless honor in their relationships, choosing to serve rather than dominate, to lift others up rather than seek personal recognition. Jesus explicitly teaches this principle when He says, “The greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11). In Christian ethics, honor is not something to be grasped for oneself but to be given to others in a spirit of humility and love.
Mutual Submission and Honor
The idea of mutual submission in human relationships is central to the Christian concept of imitating divine honor. In Ephesians 5:21, Paul instructs believers to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” This mutual submission is not hierarchical but reciprocal, reflecting the honor shared within the Trinity. Just as the Father honors the Son and the Son honors the Father, believers are called to honor one another by placing the needs of others before their own and recognizing their inherent worth.
In practical terms, this mutual submission means that relationships within the Christian community should be marked by mutual respect, deference, and service. Whether in marriage, family life, or the church, Christians are to seek the good of others and honor them in ways that reflect the humility and love of Christ. This is particularly evident in Paul’s teaching on marriage, where husbands are called to love their wives “as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). In this context, honor is not about domination or control, but about sacrificial love and service.
Honoring the “Least of These”
Another key aspect of imitating divine honor in human relationships is found in Jesus’ teaching about honoring those whom society often overlooks or devalues. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus states, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Here, Jesus links the way believers treat others—especially the marginalized, poor, and vulnerable—with their treatment of Christ Himself.
To honor the “least of these” is to honor Christ, and by extension, to participate in the divine economy of honor that flows from the Godhead to humanity. This principle calls Christians to extend honor to all people, regardless of their social status, wealth, or power. It challenges believers to cultivate a posture of humility and respect, recognizing the image of God in every individual. This is particularly important in contexts where societal norms might devalue certain groups of people based on race, gender, economic status, or ability. Christian ethics, shaped by the divine model of honor, requires believers to stand against such devaluation and to actively honor and elevate those who are marginalized.
The Role of Honor in Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Imitating divine honor in human relationships also plays a vital role in forgiveness and reconciliation. The biblical model of honor includes a commitment to restoring broken relationships and seeking reconciliation, even when one party has been wronged. This is seen in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), where the father honors his repentant son not by shaming him for his mistakes but by welcoming him back with open arms, restoring his dignity, and celebrating his return. Similarly, Christians are called to honor others by offering forgiveness and seeking reconciliation, reflecting the honor God has shown to humanity through Christ’s atoning sacrifice. This requires humility and a willingness to set aside personal grievances in order to restore peace and unity within relationships. Forgiveness, then, is not only an act of grace but also an act of honoring the other person, acknowledging their value and worth in the eyes of God.
Honor in Community and the Church
In the context of the Christian community and the church, honor becomes a foundational principle for building a healthy, unified body of believers. Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:10, “Outdo one another in showing honor,” reflects the ethos that should characterize Christian relationships. Within the church, believers are called to honor their leaders (1 Timothy 5:17), support the weak (1 Thessalonians 5:14), and seek to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). This culture of honor fosters a community where individuals are valued, respected, and nurtured in their spiritual growth. It also prevents the development of pride, division, and competition within the church, as believers are focused on honoring and uplifting one another rather than seeking personal recognition or status. The mutual honor within the church community mirrors the mutual honor within the Trinity, creating a living testimony of God’s presence and work among His people.
Conclusion
Imitating divine honor in human relationships is an essential aspect of Christian ethics. The mutual honor displayed within the Godhead—between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—serves as a model for how believers are to treat one another. This involves a commitment to selflessness, mutual submission, and honoring all people as bearers of the divine image. Whether in family life, the church, or broader society, Christians are called to live out a kenotic love that prioritizes the well-being and dignity of others. By doing so, they reflect the glory of God and participate in the divine mission of restoration and reconciliation in the world.