Respect and honor should be shown to everyone, according to the Bible. (1 Peter 2:17) Even though our culture would say otherwise, as many people today feel that you simply give respect to receive respect. But according to the Christian faith, you should respect everyone, period… whether they show you respect or not.
Believe me, it's not always easy… but it is the Christian way. That is why we have help and strength available to us from God. It is beyond our own finite abilities.
Respect is used more frequently in our Western language than honor. Nevertheless, the two carry similar meanings. Even in scripture, the two words are used and translated in place of each other.
In our society, we tend to look at honor as something given to a person of great distinction and accomplishment. But, on the contrary, respect is used more freely and is a word that can be attributed to anyone.
So, what exactly are respect and honor? And what does the Bible say about respect and honor? I will go over that, as well as share 41 Best Bible Verses About Respect and Honor with you.
What are Respect and Honor?
Respect is a deep feeling of admiration for someone or something because of their achievements, abilities, and qualities. Honor is similar to it, to hold someone in great esteem or respect. Many of us may feel that it is hard to show others respect when we don’t know much about them – or the things we do know aren't so admirable. However, it takes nothing away from you or me to show everyone fundamental respect or honor.
With anything in life, honor and respect have levels to them. When a person has proven to be someone of outstanding achievements and has abilities that we admire, it is customary to be more respectful to them. In addition, it is easy to show respect and honor to someone who has had a profound impact on our lives directly or indirectly.
What can be a challenge is to show respect to someone who has hurt us in the past, or is a person whose actions we fundamentally disagree with. These people have qualities that aren't so admirable, and they do not have an excellent track record. However, if your heart is geared to follow scripture and live a Christian life, you will always be more at peace when you find ways to be the bigger person, even if it hurts. You will feel better about yourself when, in the end, you show respect.
What Does the Bible say about Respect and Honor?
When we look at scripture on showing respect and honor to another, Romans chapter 12 verse 10 (Romans 12:10) says, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Also, Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
It is a very humbling experience to esteem others more significant than ourselves, especially when we may feel that it is undeserved. However, scripture says not only to do so but also to show brotherly affection (love) to others and outdo one another in bestowing honor. We are to do so even if they don't show us much respect at all.
Romans 12:20 says, “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” In other words, showing respect when others may not deserve it allows them to feel remorse and possibly change their ways. By the grace of God, your act of showing honor when it is not deserved can even inspire your enemies. So rather than getting even by rendering evil for evil, we return the other person’s evil with good.
Christ even did so himself. He rendered the evil that mankind did unto him with good. We are commanded to follow in His footsteps. John 3:16-17 tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
41 Best Bible Verses About Respect and Honor
1. Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
2. Matthew 7:12
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
3. 1 Peter 2:17
“Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”
4. Hebrews 13:7
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
5. 1 Peter 3:15
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
6. Numbers 22:37
“And Balak said unto Balaam, Did I not earnestly send unto thee to call thee? Wherefore camest thou not unto me? Am I not able indeed to promote thee to honour?”
7. Luke 6:31
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
8. Romans 12:9-11
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”
9. Leviticus 19:32
“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.”
10. Titus 2:7
“And in all things show yourself to be an example of good works, with purity in doctrine [having the strictest regard for integrity and truth], dignified,”
11. John 13:34-35
“I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are My disciples if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”
12. Hebrews 12:9
“Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we submitted and respected them [for training us]; shall we not much more willingly submit to the Father of spirits, and live [by learning from His discipline]?”
13. John 12:26
“If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”
14. Revelations 4:11
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.”
15. Ephesians 5:20-21
“Always giving thanks to God the Father for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
16. 1 Corinthians 10:33
“Just as I please everyone in all things [as much as possible adapting myself to the interests of others], not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, so that they [will be open to the message of salvation and] may be saved.”
17. 1 Thessalonians 5:12
“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to appreciate those who diligently work among you [recognize, acknowledge, and respect your leaders], who are in charge over you in the Lord and who give you instruction,”
18. 1 Peter 3:7
“In the same way, you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way [with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship], as with someone physically weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective.”
19. Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him]. For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that? You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
20. Ephesians 5:33
“However, each man among you [without exception] is to love his wife as his very own self [with behavior worthy of respect and esteem, always seeking the best for her with an attitude of lovingkindness], and the wife [must see to it] that she respects and delights in her husband [that she notices him and prefers him and treats him with loving concern, treasuring him, honoring him, and holding him dear].”
21. Leviticus 19:15
“Don’t pervert justice. Don’t show favoritism to either the poor or the great. Judge on the basis of what is right.”
22. 2 Peter 2:18
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are harsh.”
23. Deuteronomy 27:16
““Cursed be anyone who dishonors his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”
24. Luke 20:25
“He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”
25. 1 Peter 5:5
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
26. Colossians 3:18-19
“Wives, be subject to your husbands [out of respect for their position as protector, and their accountability to God], as is proper and fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives [with an affectionate, sympathetic, selfless love that always seeks the best for them] and do not be embittered or resentful toward them [because of the responsibilities of marriage].”
27. Ephesians 6:9
“And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”
28. Ephesians 6:2
“Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise),”
29. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
“First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
30. Proverbs 31:28-30
“Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired); Her husband also, and he praises her, saying, “Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], But you excel them all.” Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised.”
31. Titus 3:1
“Remind believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready to do any honorable kind of work.”
32. 1 Samuel 2:30
“Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: “I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,” but now the Lord declares: “Far be it from me, for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”
33. 1 Chronicles 16:27
“Glory and honor are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.”
34. 1 Timothy 5:1-2
“Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.”
35. James 2:1
“My brothers and sisters, as you practice the faith of our Lord Jesus, the anointed King of glory, you must do so without favoritism.”
36. Matthew 19:19
“Respect your father and mother,” and “love your neighbor as yourself.”
37. Proverbs 13:1
“A wise son heeds and accepts [and is the result of] his father’s discipline and instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to reprimand and does not learn from his errors.”
38. Proverbs 13:13
“Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself, but he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] will be rewarded.”
39. Genesis 4:4
“And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:”
40. Romans 13:6-7
“For this same reason you pay taxes, for civil authorities are God’s servants, devoting themselves to governance. Pay to all what is due: tax to whom tax is due, customs to whom customs, respect to whom respect, honor to whom honor.”
41. Leviticus 26:9
“And I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and will establish my covenant with you.”
Final Thoughts on 41 Best Bible Verses About Respect and Honor
As you see it in scripture, there are many great bible verses about respect. Respect is to be shown to your neighbors, your fellow man, members of government, your bosses, parents, children, and spouse.
Even when they may not have acted in ways that would typically “earn” your respect, you are still instructed in scripture to show honor and respect to all people. We do not show respect merely because others deserve it, but because we want to be most like God, the one we are to honor above all else. Showing respect and honor to others, no matter what, is one way to grow closer to God and remain in His good graces. If you are doubting yourself, or questioning your ability to forgive, fear not. God is with you and has provided verses to inspire you.
