We are to honor the honorable, but the Bible also tells us to honor those who should be honorable, but who may not always act honorably:

Father and Mother (Exodus 20:12)
Wives (1 Peter 3:7)
Widows (1 Timothy 5:3)
Kings (1 Peter 2:17)

These all make sense to our current definition of honor and the Bible promises if we honor our parents we will have a full life in the land God has given (Ex 20:12) that’s a bonus!

But our current definition allows us to dishonor those who aren’t honorable – and not all of our parents, or wives, or leaders have been. And the Bible doesn’t let us live with that excuse.

In fact, Peter challenges us with revolutionary living:

Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
1 Peter 2:17 (New American Standard Bible)

Let’s be clear here: the king, who Peter was telling the first readers to honor, was most likely the one who ordered his death.

Why would the Bible tell us to “Honor all people”?

It’s what the Father has done for us.

Honor is when one changes the relationship with another. It’s when you raise someone up to your level. This is what the Father did for us when we became part of His family and He seated us in heavenly places.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-6 (New Living Translation)

I’ll draw this out over the next few posts. Love to hear what you think.