Honour

Great respect; the creation is called upon to respect and revere God as its Creator. Since human beings are made in the image of God, they should respect one another.

The creation honours its Creator

All creatures honour God

Isaiah 43:20 See also Revelation 5:13

The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.

The people of God honour God

Exodus 12:40–42; Psalm 22:23 See also Psalm 50:14–15; Isaiah 25:1–3; Jeremiah 3:17, Jeremiah 33:7–9; 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt. Because the LORD kept a vigil that night to bring them out of the land of Egypt, this same night is to be a vigil to the LORD, to be observed by all the Israelites for the generations to come.

You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All descendants of Jacob, honor Him! All offspring of Israel, revere Him!

How God wishes to be honoured

Honouring God by worshipping him

Revelation 5:11–12 See also Psalm 50:23; Revelation 4:9–11

Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

Honouring God by obeying him

Ezekiel 33:31 These people honoured God with their words only, but this was not true honour for they failed to obey his commands. See also Numbers 25:10–13; Isaiah 29:13

So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.

Honouring God with one's body

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 See also Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 4:10–11

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Honouring God with one's possessions

Proverbs 3:9 See also Isaiah 60:9; 2 Corinthians 8:19

Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops;

Honouring God by caring for others

Proverbs 14:31 See also Matthew 25:31–40; James 1:27

Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.

The consequences of not honouring God

Malachi 2:2 See also Numbers 20:12; Daniel 5:22–31

If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to honor My name,” says the LORD of Hosts, “I will send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already begun to curse them, because you are not taking it to heart.

Jesus Christ and honour

Honour given to Jesus Christ

Hebrews 2:9 See also Acts 19:17; 2 Peter 1:17; Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

The relationship of honour between the Father and the Son

John 5:23 See also John 8:49–50

so 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.

God brings honour to people

1 Samuel 2:30 See also Psalm 62:7; Zephaniah 3:19–20; John 12:26; Romans 2:9–11

Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.

Honouring others as a duty to God

Honouring one's parents

Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:2–3 See also Malachi 1:6; Matthew 15:1–6; Luke 18:20

Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

Honouring fellow believers

Romans 12:10 See also Philippians 2:29; 1 Timothy 5:17

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.