In the New Testament, dozens of passages describe how Christians are meant to treat one another. These “one-another” statements are not merely suggestions; they are the blueprint for a healthy Christian community. Good community does not happen by accident. It requires intentional work and a deep commitment to treating others according to God’s expectations. The first step in this journey is found in Romans 12:10: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour.”
Defining the Concept of Honour
In a biblical sense, honour is the duty of fixing the proper value on something or someone. It is an intentional act of placing the appropriate worth on a person that they deserve as a creation of God. While this value has largely disappeared from modern culture, it remains a foundational Christian requirement. Honouring others is an action that reinforces a belief system; it demonstrates what is truly believed in the heart about the value of others.
Universal Honour Based on the Image of God
The command in 1 Peter 2:17 to “honour everyone” implies that every single person is worthy of recognition. This is because every human being is created in the image of God. Recognition can be as simple as a greeting on the street. Acknowledging a person’s presence is a way of acknowledging their inherent value. Christian heritage is rooted in putting others ahead of oneself, as seen in Philippians 2:3: “In humility count others more significant than yourselves.” No one has ever locked eyes with another person who is not of eternal value to God.
Training the Next Generation in Honour
The practice of honouring others is a skill that must be learned at a young age. It is foundational to human flourishing and a rightly ordered society. When people honour God above all else, everything else falls into its proper place. Parents have a responsibility to uphold the concept of authority and teach their children to honour teachers, coaches, and parents by default.
To help children develop a culture of honour, consider these practical steps:
- Require a verbal response and eye contact when an adult speaks to a child.
- Encourage the use of titles (such as Mr., Mrs., or Pastor) to recognize age and authority.
- Teach children to earn respect, rather than assuming the authority must earn theirs first.
- Prevent abusive speech about authorities, even when those authorities are imperfect.
Honouring Positions of Authority
Scripture commands the honouring of people based on the positions of authority they hold. Romans 13:7 instructs believers to pay respect and honour to those to whom it is owed, including government officials. While it is common to disagree with policies or decisions, maintaining a level of civility is essential for a healthy society. Honour keeps people looking for the good in those they disagree with and prevents the descent into anarchy.
The Dynamics of Honour in Marriage
Marriage is a primary arena for practising honour. Husbands are called to show honour to their wives (1 Peter 3:7), and wives are called to respect their husbands. Honouring a spouse involves attributing high value to the person with whom one has become “one flesh.” To criticize or denigrate a spouse publicly is akin to criticizing oneself.
There is a profound power in honour: the perceived value of a person is increased or decreased by the way they are treated. When a spouse speaks highly of their partner in public, it causes others to see that person with more honour. People almost always live up to the value placed upon them. By placing a higher value on a spouse through words and treatment, one can help them rise to that level of dignity.
Valuing Longevity and Wisdom
Modern society often treats youthful energy as more valuable than decades of experience. However, Leviticus 19:32 commands: “You shall stand up before the grey head and honour the face of an old man.” Rejecting this divine order leads to a society that repeats the same mistakes because it refuses to learn from its elders. Longevity and life experience deserve honour. When the elderly are mocked or ignored, their accumulated wisdom goes to waste.
Honour as a Partner to Grace
Honour is most difficult—and most necessary—when leaders or authorities do not seem to deserve it. In a fallen world, God calls His people to honour imperfect people. Sometimes this means honouring the position even when the person in the position is failing.
This requires faith and is a direct application of grace. Grace and honour are partners; they both involve giving people more than they deserve. If someone is not measuring up, the response should be to raise the bar on their perceived value. By treating them with honour by faith, they may be inspired to rise to the level of the respect they are being shown.
The Competition of Honour
The goal for every believer should be to take the command to “outdo one another” seriously. Rather than seeking to be honoured, the focus shifts to becoming the most diligent in honouring others. This competition of grace changes the atmosphere of a home, a workplace, and a church.
Reflection and Follow-up
- Reflection Question: To whom should you give extra honour this week? Consider someone who has been working hard or serving unnoticed in your community.
- Reflection Question: Is there an authority figure you have struggled to respect? How can you honour their position or their status as an image-bearer of God this week?
- Follow-up Reading: Spend time reading Romans 12 and 1 Peter 2, focusing on how the call to honour impacts your daily interactions with neighbours and authorities.