Worth & Honor

"Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." (Romans 13: 7 KJV)

To "honor" according to Strong, means "to estimate, fix the value," to "honour, to have in honour, to revere, venerate." It is "a valuing by which the price is fixed" or "of the price itself." It is "honour which one has by reason of rank and state of office which he holds."

According to Paul, to "honor" something is to "render" or "pay" to another what is "due" to them, or "owed" to them. So, people "pay" respect, and they "render" honor to whom honor is owed. It is right and proper for men to pay other men honor and respect, to give them their due. It is also right for men to honor the Lord and to give him his due regard.

Another word closely associated with the word "honor" is the word "worthiness." One who is "honorable" is one who is "worthy," someone who is owed recognition, praise, and respect. To be "honorable" is to be "worthy of respect."

There are two words chiefly used in the New Testament and translated as "worth" in many English translations. The Greek word "hikanos" (worth) means "sufficient" or "enough" or "sufficient in ability, i.e. meet, fit." The Greek word "axios" (worth) means"weighing, having weight, having the weight of another thing of like value, worth." It denotes what is "befitting," or appropriate. When referring to a person, it describes "one who has merited anything worthy." It is also used both in a good and a bad sense.

"Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself." (Hebrews 3: 3 NIV)

In this passage we see how "worthy" is coupled with "honor," for they naturally go together. It also speaks of honoring things as well as persons.

"How the precious sons of Zion, once worth their weight in gold, are now considered as pots of clay, the work of a potter's hands!" (Lamentations 4: 2 NIV)

Here the idea of "worth" and "honor" are connected metaphorically with the "weight" of something. Interestingly, the word "glory" also is connected with the idea of "weight." In the above verse the prophet speaks of the "precious sons of Zion" as being "worth their weight in gold," and we hear people often say today "he is not worth his weight in salt," or of some other material substance. Jesus himself spoke of worthless "salt," salt that had "lost its saltiness" and thus became "good for nothing," and of no honor.

To "honor" something involves a judgment regarding its worth, or an estimation of its usefulness; it signifies to praise, or to recognize something as meet, fitting, or appropriate, something that is "due."

"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." (I Peter 2: 17 KJV)

This is but "giving honor to whom honor is due." All men are due common equal honors as human beings, it being part of their native "dignity" given to them by their Creator. Notice how Peter says "fear (or 'reverence') God," but says "honor" kings and men. This does not exclude God from being the object of "honor," for he surely is the one due the highest honor. Actually, to "honor" something involves, as we saw from the definition of the word, "reverencing" or "giving due homage" to those to whom it is owed.

We say to "judges," when formally addressing them, "your honor." We are told to honor parents. (Matthew 19: 19) We are told to "honor widows," and to honor pastors and teachers of the word of God, yea, even with "double honor." (I Timothy 5: 3, 17) We do as Peter exhorted and "honor all men" as well as "honor the king" and our earthly rulers. Again, honor is given to men based on their worth, whether that worth be gained by birth or acquired by work or merit.

"And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss." (Luke 23: 41 AV)

Notice how the definition of "worthy" ('due reward') is used in a "bad sense," of one who is judged to have merited, by evil deeds, the punishment inflicted. It also involves being just in the distribution of things.

"Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain...In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything." (I Timothy 3: 8, 11 NIV)

"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance." (Titus 2: 2 NIV)

To be men and women "of respect" is to be worthy and honorable. All men should desire and seek to be "respectable," and honorable, and worthy of the praise and commendations of others. To live a godly, moral, and ethical life, where one loves both God and his neighbor, is truly to live honorably and worthily.

"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God..." (Colossians 1: 10 NIV)

Not only should all men, especially Christians, seek to be "respectable" and "honorable," but they are to live their "lives worthy of the Lord," seeking the honor and respect that comes from him above any that we seek from men.

There are the "honourable of the earth" (Isaiah 23: 8, 9) and then there are those whom God and Heaven honors.

"How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?" (5: 44)

The indictment here is clear and plain. They sought worldly honors, rather than the honor that comes from God. This is, in a word, the story of sinful man in his alienated state away from God and righteousness.

"Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish." (Psalm 49: 12)

"Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish." (verse 20)

"Israel is swallowed up; now she is among the nations like a worthless thing." (Hosea 8: 8 NIV)

"All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." (Romans 3: 12 NIV)

Spiritually speaking, a sinner dead in his sins and cut off from fellowship with God, is a worthless person, no matter how much he is worth naturally, secularly, or in the eyes of the world and in the estimation other sinful men. Sin and separation from God and righteousness is what has made all men "worthless" and "dishonorable." The chief question is - "how can I regain my honor and worth in the eyes of the Lord?"

"By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life." (Proverbs 22: 4)

"Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour." (Proverbs 3; 16)

"before honour is humility" (Proverbs 15: 33 & 18: 12).

The way to find honor with God is to receive his word, his wisdom and instruction, and to humble one's heart and thoughts before him.

"...this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me" (Isaiah 29: 13).

One honors God by drawing near to him, by seeking and loving him with all the heart, soul, mind and strength. It is doing this sincerely and in faith, and not as the hypocrites.

"That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him." (John 5: 23)

"...if any man serve me, him will my Father honour." (John 12: 26)

One cannot honor Lord God and dishonor his only begotten Son, his "beloved Son." To be honored by Lord God one must honor the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?" (Romans 9: 21)

Those who inherit eternal life are they who receive eternal honors, being highly esteemed by Lord God. They cannot claim this worth or merit of themselves. Rather, they have been made unto honor by the Potter. Their honorableness and worthiness springs from their relationship to Christ, and not from themselves or their own self-created worth.

"They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their fathers and the warnings he had given them. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, "Do not do as they do," and they did the things the LORD had forbidden them to do." (II Kings 17: 15; Jeremiah 2: 5 NIV)

"Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless." (Psalm 60: 11; 108: 12 NIV)

"Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word." (Psalm 119: 37 NIV)

Man has become a worthless creature! He has lost all honor with the Lord. He is addicted to "worthless" and "dishonorable" things, to sin, vanity, and pride.

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." (Proverbs 31: 10 NIV)

This is what it means to be "honorable," and "respectful," and "worthy"; it is to be of "noble character," to be honest, fair, law abiding, responsible, hard working, humble, and loving of others.

"I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives." (Ecclesiastes 2: 3 NIV)

We have already seen what God judges as being "honorable" and "worthwhile." This ought to be the quest of all men - to find out what is "worthwhile," what is respectable and honorable.

"Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing." (Isaiah 40: 17 NIV)

"But you are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless; he who chooses you is detestable." (Isaiah 41: 24 NIV)

All men are "worthless" by divine judgment. To be made "worthy" is the work of God and involves the sinner turning from worthless things to God and to worthy and honorable things. A worthy and honorable person is one who honors God, his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and who honors his word by believing and obeying it.

"Therefore this is what the LORD says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them." (Jeremiah 15: 19 NIV)

"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 his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10: 37, 38 NIV)

It is by repentance and faith that men are made worthy of Christ and of salvation and eternal life. In becoming a "vessel unto honor," one comes to Christ with a penitent heart and a genuine faith.

"And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie." (Mark 1: 7 NIV)

"I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men..."The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. ''" (Luke 15: 19, 21 NIV)

Those who are humble and meek are the true "worthies" in the sight of God. The truly worthy are the ones who most feel their unworthiness and are they who seek all their worthiness in Christ and graciously communicated to them by the heavenly Potter.

"But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage..." (Luke 20: 35 NIV)

These are the "vessels of mercy" whom the Potter made fit or worthy of the honor of being the sons and children of God. They are worthy, but not in or of themselves, but only as they are made so by grace and by the work and love of Christ.

"Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles." (Acts 13: 46 NIV)

"Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." (Romans 1: 28 NIV)

Sinners are "worthless" because they have not judged a knowledge of God as "worthwhile." Their estimation of God is mean and beggarly, and they dishonor him by failing to given to him his due honor.

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." (Ephesians 4: 1 NIV)

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." (Philippians 1: 27 NIV)

"...encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory." (I Thessalonians 2: 12 NIV)

"All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering." (II Thessalonians 1: 5 NIV)

"Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation." (Psalm 91: 14-16)

"Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase." (Proverbs 3: 9)

"Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy." (Revelation 3: 4 NIV)

Friend, are you giving honor to whom honor is due? Are you honoring the Lord and his Christ? If so, then you are a "vessel unto honor" and your future glories are tremendous and unending. If you are not giving honor to God and his Son, they know that you will be forever dishonored.