Biblical Respect in a Disrespectful Age

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Sadly, in popular culture today there are few signs of what it means to respect other people. Whether it is between politicians, actors, and other media personalities, or between students and teachers, consumers of television and the internet seem to thrive on showcasing anger and insults to a world ready to glory in disrespect. For a Christian though, disrespect is unacceptable. We are to keep our emotions under control (e.g., Matt. 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:7) and show respect to others.

Respectful behavior is grounded in humility.

The English word “respect” means to have high regard for someone or something, to esteem and honor them, and see them as important and worthy of deference. In Scripture, respect is translated from a few words that mean honor, showing deference to another especially in terms of a special status or position of authority, and fear in the sense of reverence toward another—that is, to respect and honor them. (Respect and honor are words closely related enough that I will be using them interchangeably.)

Philippians 2:3 is a good example of respect in action when Paul instructs,

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Respectful behavior is being grounded in humility, honoring others as more important than ourselves. Yet, the Word of God teaches there is also a particular hierarchy of authority in terms of respect for others.

For example, Romans 13:7 is one part of a broader section in Scripture on how a Christian should relate to civil authority:

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed (emphasis added).

The Fifth Commandment encompasses much more than honoring one’s father and mother.

This teaching on respect and honor, however, is only one aspect of the wider implications of the Fifth Commandment to “honor your father and your mother” (Exod. 20:12).

The Westminster Larger Catechism teaches from the whole of Scripture what it means to honor and respect others. Firstly, it addresses

Q. Who are meant by father and mother in the fifth commandment?

A. By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents, but all superiors in age and gifts; and especially such as, by God’s ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, church, or commonwealth.

In 1 Peter 2:17 we are commanded to “honor everyone.” In Paul’s letter to the Romans he clearly writes, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:10). Even as we respond, “…to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…,” we are to “…do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet. 3:15). Scripture plainly teaches that we are to show respect to others who are either in positions of authority over us or who challenge our beliefs as Christians. We are to honor everyone in humility as we regard others more significant than ourselves (Phil. 2:3).

We are commanded to respect all who are in authority over us.

Secondly, Question 127 focuses particularly on those who are in authority over us:

Q. What is the honour that inferiors owe to their superiors?

A. The honour which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in heart, word, and behavior; prayer and thanksgiving for them; imitation of their virtues and graces; willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsels; due submission to their corrections; fidelity to, defence, and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to their several ranks, and the nature of their places; bearing with their infirmities, and covering them in love, that so they may be an honour to them and to their government.

The Word of God clearly teaches that we are to honor (that is to show respect) our parents and our superiors (Exod. 20:12; Mal. 1:6; Eph. 6:1-2) and older persons (Lev. 19:32). We show respect to superiors when we pray for all who are in authority as God commands (1 Tim. 2:1-2). The elders who rule over us in our churches are worthy of double honor (1 Tim. 5:17), and those who manage and lead us in our work endeavors are to be shown respect through obedience, which is

well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. (Tit. 2:9-10)

The last phrase of Titus 2:10 gives the reason: By our respectful and honoring actions, the teaching of God gains credibility and is demonstrated to be good and pleasant, which honors him.

We are commanded to respect all who are under our authority.

Yet, what about those who are under our authority in the family, at work, or in other areas of life? The Westminster Larger Catechism question 129 provides helpful teaching from Scripture. Husbands are to love and honor their wives (1 Pet. 3:7) as wives are to love and respect their husbands (Col. 3:19; Eph. 5:33; Tit. 2:4).

In work situations we are to respect those under our responsibility by treating them justly and fairly (Col. 4:1). 1 Peter 2:17 is an excellent summary:

Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Be counter-cultural by counting others more important than yourself.

Regardless of the status and authority of others or ourselves, respecting others is God’s command. By doing so we show ourselves to be followers of Christ Jesus, who love him by keeping his commandments (John 14:15). Rather than the disrespect our culture often seems to enjoy showing to others, as Christians we are commanded to be respectful and honoring to those over us and also to those who have been placed under our authority. We honor God and show respect to him by demonstrating his love in our own behavior.

We show what it means to be a follower of Christ when we are kind and respectful, especially in public. Rather than following popular culture, be counter-cultural by counting others more important than yourself, especially by showing respect and honor toward one another.

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This article is adapted from “Biblical Respect in a Disrespectful Age” in Beautiful Christian Life’s November 2025 newsletter “Respect.”

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