Honor Others Above Yourself

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Rom. 12:10 NIV)

Honor is a noun and verb that means respect, character, reward, or fulfillment. Honor has many uses, all of them good. If you are called a man of honor, you are respected. If someone honors you, they recognize and award you for your achievements. There is also a general meaning found in the above verse as honoring others by putting them first above yourself in love.

Children show honor to your parents

“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.” (Eph. 6:2-3 NIV)

Husbands show respect to your wives

“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7 ESV)

Wives show respect to your husbands

“However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” (Eph. 5:33 ESV)

Show honor to the elderly

“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.” (Lev. 19:32 ESV)

Show respect to everyone, even to the  top leadership of your country

“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:17 NIV)

Outdo each other in showing honor

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Rom. 12:10 ESV)

Show respect to your employers and supervisors

“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.” (2 Thess. 5:12-13 ESV)

Leave honoring yourself to others

“But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.” (Luke 14:10 ESV)

Therefore

“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.” (1 Peter 3:15 ESV)