Honor

Psalm 8:4-5 “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.

 

The Greek word for “honor” here is “hāḏār”, meaning splendor, majesty, dignity, honor, glory. The noun form of the word “honor” is defined here defined in Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary of the English language as: The esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation. A testimony of esteem; any expression of respect or of high estimation by words or actions. Dignity; exalted rank or place; distinction. Reverence; veneration; or any act by which reverence and submission are expressed, as worship paid to the Supreme Being [Creator God]. Reputation; good name; as, his honor is unsullied. True nobleness of mind; magnanimity; dignified respect for character, springing from probity, principle or moral rectitude; a distinguishing trait in the character of good men and women. Psalm 96:5-7 says, “For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, give to the Lord glory and strength.”

 

Exodus 20:12 commands us, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

 

The Greek word for “honor” here is “kāḇaḏ”, meaning to be weighty, be honorable, be glorious, be honored. The verb form of the word “honor” used here is defined in Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary of the English language as: To revere; to respect; to treat with deference and submission, and perform relative duties to. As in “Honor thy father and thy mother” in Exodus 20:12. To reverence; to manifest the highest veneration for, in words and actions; to entertain the most exalted thoughts of; to worship; to adore. As in John 5, “That all men should honor the Son [Jesus], even as they honor the Father [God]”. To dignify; to raise to distinction or notice; to elevate in rank or station; to exalt. Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor” from Esther 6. To glorify; to render illustrious.

 

In Matthew 15:4-8 the Lord Jesus clarified, “For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”—then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.’” Don't live there.

 

When we fail to give honor where our heavenly Father commands us to give honor and where honor is due, then we only fool ourselves. We are exposed by the Holy Spirit and condemned for the base self-centered pride and disgraceful disobedience. Let us honor God in loving gratitude and honor others as we work daily to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world, point the way to the foot of the Cross for redemption and salvation. 

 

In Christ, Brian