Respect, for human beings

Each individual, created in the image of God, should be honoured and esteemed, and this should be worked out in every area of life.

Human beings are to be respected

They are made in the image of God

Genesis 9:5–6 See also Proverbs 14:31, Proverbs 17:5; Colossians 3:9–11; James 3:9–10

And surely I will require the life of any man or beast by whose hand your lifeblood is shed. I will demand an accounting from anyone who takes the life of his fellow man: Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.

The bounds of life belong to God

Exodus 20:13 parallel Deuteronomy 5:17 See also Exodus 21:22–25 NIV footnote at verse 22; 2 Samuel 1:14–15, 2 Samuel 4:9–12; 1 Kings 2:31–33; Psalm 139:13–16

You shall not murder.

The equality and dignity of human beings is commanded

Deuteronomy 1:16–17 See also Exodus 23:2–3; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 16:18–19; Proverbs 24:23–25, Proverbs 28:21; Acts 10:24–28, Acts 10:34–35; James 2:1–9; 1 Peter 2:17

At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.”

Respect in the family

Respect for parents is commanded

Exodus 20:12 parallel Deuteronomy 5:16 See also Leviticus 19:3; Proverbs 1:8; Malachi 1:6; Matthew 15:4–6 parallel Mark 7:10–13; Matthew 19:19 parallel Luke 18:20; Ephesians 6:1–3; Colossians 3:20; Hebrews 12:9

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

Disrespect for parents is condemned

Deuteronomy 27:16 See also Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9; Proverbs 30:17; Isaiah 45:10; 2 Timothy 3:1–2

‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

Examples of those who respected their parents

Genesis 9:20–23 Shem and Japheth; Genesis 47:11–12 Joseph; 1 Samuel 22:3 David; 1 Kings 2:19 Solomon; 1 Kings 19:20 Elisha; Luke 2:51; John 19:25–27

Respect in marriage

Ephesians 5:33 See also Ephesians 5:21–25; Colossians 3:18–19; 1 Peter 3:6–7

Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Respect for children

Matthew 18:10 See also Leviticus 20:1–5; Matthew 18:5–6 parallels Mark 9:36–37, Luke 9:47–48; Matthew 19:13–15 parallels Mark 10:13–16, Luke 18:15–17; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:20–21

See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.

Respect for leaders

Leaders must have gained respect

Deuteronomy 1:13–15 See also 1 Samuel 9:6; Proverbs 31:23; 1 Timothy 3:2–11

Choose for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will appoint them as your leaders.” And you answered me and said, “What you propose to do is good.” So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you — as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes.

Leaders must be given respect

1 Samuel 26:9–11 See also 1 Samuel 24:1–7; 2 Kings 3:14; Romans 13:1–7; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:17

But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”

Respect for old age

Leviticus 19:32 See also Job 32:4–7; Lamentations 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:1–2; Titus 2:2; 1 Peter 5:5

You are to rise in the presence of the elderly, honor the aged, and fear your God. I am the LORD.

Respect at the place of work

Deuteronomy 24:14–15 See also Leviticus 19:13; Ephesians 6:5–9; Colossians 3:22–4:1; 1 Timothy 6:1–2; 1 Peter 2:18

Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.