1 Peter 2:17 sums it up:“ Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” Even the commandment to“ Honor your father and mother”( Exodus 20:12) isn’ t based on their perfection and earned respect, but on the role God designed them to carry.
The Mishnah Avot 4:1 asks,“ Who is honored? He who honors others.” But honor is NOT:
Unquestioning submission. Even Paul rebuked Peter publicly when necessary( Galatians 2:11). Hiding sin or abuse. Nathan honored David by confronting him( 2 Samuel 12). Using honor to demand special treatment. Yeshua Himself rebuked leaders who“ loved places of honor”( Matthew 23:6).
True honor requires both humility and accountability. As Proverbs 15:33 reminds us,“ Humility comes before honor.” Rabbi Jonathan Sacks echoes the patriarchs by saying,“ True honor recognizes that every person bears the divine image and has a role in the Kingdom.”
Honor isn’ t a leadership tactic. It’ s a Kingdom lifestyle. It’ s about seeing the image of God in every person— and treating them like it’ s real.
The Power of Words— Fueling the Soul or Crushing the Spirit Encouragement is fuel for the soul. Hebrews 10:24 – 25 exhorts us,“ Encourage one another … all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
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