Worthiness

Only God truly merits honour and praise but he graciously considers those who humbly serve him with wholehearted devotion to be worthy disciples.

God the Father is worthy of honour and praise

Psalm 145:3 See also 2 Samuel 22:4 parallel Psalm 18:3; 1 Chronicles 16:25 parallel Psalm 96:4; Psalm 48:1; Revelation 4:11

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.

Jesus Christ is worthy of honour and praise

Revelation 5:12 See also Matthew 3:17 parallels Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22; Matthew 17:5 parallels Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35; Philippians 2:9–11; Hebrews 2:9, Hebrews 3:3; 2 Peter 1:17; Revelation 5:9

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!”

People are considered worthy by others

Luke 7:4–5 Note that the centurion did not consider himself to be worthy (Luke 7:7). See also Genesis 39:4, Genesis 41:38–40; 1 Samuel 16:6; 1 Kings 1:42; Daniel 1:18–20, Daniel 2:46–48, Daniel 3:28–30; Acts 14:11–13

They came to Jesus and pleaded with Him earnestly, “This man is worthy to have You grant this, for he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”

God considers no person (other than Jesus Christ) to be worthy by nature

Revelation 5:4 See also Psalm 14:3, Psalm 143:2; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10–12, Romans 3:23

And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it.

Worthiness, like righteousness, is credited to a person by God

2 Thessalonians 1:11 See also Luke 20:35; Romans 2:29; 2 Corinthians 10:18

To this end, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith,

Examples of people who are considered worthy by God

Those who put God first and deny themselves

Matthew 10:37–38 See also 1 Samuel 2:30; Luke 9:62; Romans 12:1–2

Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.

Those who suffer persecution for the sake of Jesus Christ

Acts 5:41 See also Matthew 5:10–12; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Peter 2:19–20

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Those whose lives show Christlike godliness

Colossians 1:10 See also 1 Samuel 16:7; Ephesians 4:1–2; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Timothy 3:8–9, 1 Timothy 3:11; Titus 2:2; Revelation 3:4

so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Those who stand firm for the gospel

Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:15

Those who are faithful in the use of resources which God has given them

Matthew 25:21–23 See also Matthew 24:45–47 parallel Luke 12:42–44; Luke 19:17; 1 Timothy 5:17

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’ The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, ‘Master, you entrusted me with two talents. See, I have gained two more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’

Those who welcome God's people

Matthew 10:11 See also Matthew 10:41–42; Romans 16:2; 3 John 1:6

Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy there and stay at his house until you move on.

Examples of worthy people

Genesis 6:8–9 Noah; Deuteronomy 1:36 Caleb; Deuteronomy 34:10 Moses; Job 1:8 Job; Daniel 9:23, Daniel 10:19; Luke 1:28 Mary; James 2:23 Abraham