Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of being "respected" is closely tied to the ideas of honor, reputation, and the esteem in which one is held by others. Respect is often seen as a reflection of one's character, actions, and adherence to God's commandments. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on the importance of living a life worthy of respect.
Old Testament InsightsIn the Old Testament, respect is frequently associated with wisdom and righteousness.
Proverbs 22:1 states, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold." This verse highlights the value of a respected reputation over material wealth. The pursuit of wisdom and understanding is also linked to respect, as seen in
Proverbs 3:13-16, where wisdom is described as more precious than rubies and a source of honor.
The patriarchs and leaders of Israel, such as Abraham, Moses, and David, were often respected for their faithfulness and obedience to God. For instance, Moses is described as a leader whom the Israelites respected greatly due to his close relationship with God and his role in delivering them from Egypt (
Exodus 14:31).
New Testament TeachingsIn the New Testament, respect is further emphasized in the context of Christian conduct and relationships. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently addresses the importance of living a life that earns the respect of others. In
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 , Paul advises believers to "aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone." This passage underscores the importance of personal responsibility and integrity in gaining respect.
Respect within the family and church community is also a significant theme.
Ephesians 6:1-3 instructs children to "obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (which is the first commandment with a promise), 'so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'" This commandment highlights the foundational role of respect within familial relationships.
Respect for AuthorityThe Bible also addresses the respect due to authorities and leaders.
Romans 13:1-2 teaches, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." This passage emphasizes the divine origin of authority and the respect owed to those in positions of leadership.
Respect and HumilityA recurring theme in Scripture is the relationship between respect and humility.
Proverbs 15:33 states, "The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor." Humility is presented as a prerequisite for gaining respect and honor. Jesus Himself exemplified this principle, as seen in
Philippians 2:5-8 , where He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross, earning the ultimate respect and exaltation from God.
ConclusionThe biblical perspective on respect is multifaceted, encompassing personal conduct, relationships, and attitudes toward authority. It is a quality that is cultivated through wisdom, humility, and obedience to God's commandments, ultimately reflecting one's character and faithfulness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Respect.
Greek
4243. presbeuo -- to be the elder, to take precedence... 4243 ("act as an ambassador") means to act as an established statesman (diplomat) --
a trusted,
respected ambassador who is authorized to speak as (represent
...1322. didache -- doctrine, teaching
... Cognate: 1322 (from 1321 , "to teach") -- established , especially a "summarized"
body ofrespected teaching (viewed as reliable, time-honored)....
4586. semnos -- reverend, ie venerable, spec. serious
... 4586 (an adjective derived from 4576 , "to revere, be in awe") -- properly, what
is (dignified, has ""); weighty, deeplyrespected because viewed as majestic...
4461. rhabbi -- my master, my teacher
... 4461 -- a rabbi; a recognized by the Jewish public for accumulating a great number
of Bible-facts, ierespected for his accumulation of knowledge....
2158. euschemon -- comely
... positive way. [2158 () is used in Koine Greek of a person who , especially
by serving in a high (respected) position.]. Word Origin...
5093. timios -- valued, precious
... See 5092 (). Word Origin from time Definition valued, precious NASB Word Usage dear
(1), honor (1), precious (8),respected (1), very costly (2)....
1788. entrepo -- to turn about, to reverence, to put to shame
... from en and the same as trope Definition to turn about, to reverence, to put to
shame NASB Word Usage put to shame (2), respect (5),respected (1), shame (1)....
Strong's Hebrew
3513. kabad -- to be heavy, weighty, or burdensome... my heavy (1), made our heavy (2), made your heavy (3), make (1), make it glorious
(1), makes himself rich (1), multiply (2), nobles (1),
respected (1), stopped
...1921. hadar -- to honor, adorn, perhaps to swell
... root Definition to honor, adorn, perhaps to swell NASB Word Usage claim honor (1),
defer* (1), honor (1), majestic (1), partial (1),respected (1), rough...
6440. panim -- face, faces
... presence on the before (1), presented* (2), previously (1), prior (1), receive*
(2), remain* (1), repulse* (2), request (1), respect (1),respected* (1), served...
5375. nasa -- to lift, carry, take
... picks (3), promoted (1), protest (1), put (1), raise (5), raised (13), receive
(2), receive* (2), receives (1), regard (1), released* (1),respected* (1), rise...
Library
Ep. xxxix. A Recommendation of one Amazonius, Whose Learning was...
... Division III. Miscellaneous Letters. Ep. XXXIX. A recommendation of one Amazonius,
whose learning was muchrespected by Gregory.? (About the same date....
An Appeal to the Outsider; Or, the Claims of Christianity
... With such a record as that you can understand that Christianity is, at all
events,respected.... But wherever he saw it, herespected it....
In Memoriam.
... that day till the day of his death he was regarded as not only one of the best and
most valued friends, but I looked up to him as a father beloved andrespected...
Preface
... By the advice of severalrespected literary friends, they are now corrected,
enlarged and inserted. On the last of these he wrote AD1785....
Dedicatory Letter.
... To therespected and worthy NICOLAUS VON AMSDORF, Licentiate in the Holy Scriptures
and Canon of Wittenberg, [14]...Respected, worthy Sir and dear friend....
The Decline of Enthusiasm
... How precisely it is like some large church in some large city to-day, a respectable
andrespected and useful church, a Sunday club, a self-satisfied circle...
Richard Clarke.
... Philip's Church in that city. Here he was greatly admired as a popular preacher,
and highlyrespected as an exemplary, amiable, benevolent, and liberal man....
St. Benedict
... The barbarians, who overwhelmed the empire, generallyrespected them; and now the
life of monks, instead of being chosen for its hardships, as it had been at...
To the Rev. A. Brandram
... Yet such acts and formalities constitute what is termed religion at Compostella,
where, perhaps, God and His will are less known andrespected than at Pekin or...
Womanhood of the Byzantine Decadence
... of public opinion, and, recognizing the mistake he had made, merely said in response
to Marchesina's entreaties: "The abbot would haverespected me, had I...
Thesaurus
Respected (28 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Respect. Multi-Version Concordance
Respected (28 Occurrences). Matthew 10:11 And into whatever
...Oppression (67 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 26:24 Behold, as your life wasrespected this day in my eyes, so let my
life berespected in the eyes of Yahweh, and let him deliver me out of all...
Value (138 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 26:24 Behold, as your life wasrespected this day in my eyes, so let my
life berespected in the eyes of Yahweh, and let him deliver me out of all...
Highly (48 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea came, a highlyrespected member of the Council,
who himself also was living in expectation of the Kingdom of God....
Violate (14 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To do violence to, as to anything that should be held sacred orrespected;
to profane; to desecrate; to break forcibly; to trench upon; to infringe....
Overseers (47 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 1:15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise men andrespected, and
made them rulers over you, captains of thousands and captains of hundreds and...
Imparted (6 Occurrences)
... reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God
doesn't show partiality to man)-they, I say, who wererespected imparted nothing...
Favoured (8 Occurrences)
... Lamentations 4:16 The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard
them: theyrespected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the...
Far-seeing (3 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 1:13 Take for yourselves men who are wise, far-seeing, andrespected
among you, from your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you. (BBE)....
Favored (19 Occurrences)
... Lamentations 4:16 The anger of Jehovah hath scattered them; he will no more regard
them: Theyrespected not the persons of the priests, they favored not the...
Resources
What does the Bible say about a Christian serving in the military? | GotQuestions.orgHow is Jesus greater than all the other great people in history? | GotQuestions.orgShould the title of "reverend" be given to a church leader? | GotQuestions.orgRespected: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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