It Starts Small

This verse on the surface seems to be pretty simple. DO not be rude, right? But I believe when we look at the actual Greek word, we dig a little deeper and see Paul is not talking about behavior that is not socially excepted. It’s deeper. 

The original Greek word is aschēmoneō and means to act unbecomingly. When we look at other Bible translations it is translated as rude, behaves unseemingly (KJV), does not act disgracefully (NLT), and unbecomingly (NASB). 

Our modern English definition of unbecomingly means not fitting or appropriate. 

I pondered upon this but was not really grasping the idea Paul was speaking. So I decided to see where else Paul used the word and it is used only in one other place:

If any man thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage, and he feels he should marry ​— ​he can do what he wants. He is not sinning; they can get married.

1 Corinthians 7:36

In other versions it is written dishonorably, not honorably, and without honor. 

The synonyms for unbecomingly are coarse, indecent, unmannerly, impervious, or blithely acting arrogant, deformed, or indecent. 

This goes beyond socially perceived right and wrong behaviors. This is more than cutting someone off in your car or refusing to hold the door open. These are actions and words that dishonor another person. Our behavior, words and actions are to bring honor to God. The type of behavior Paul is talking about is dishonoring another person.

Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.

Romans 12:10

Christians are called to honor one another without limitation. We are to make others feel like they are of high value by the way they are loved and cared for. 

To Honor is to Value

One of the main ingredients to honoring someone is to value them. 

²⁹ Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. ³⁰ But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29-31

Jesus says, you cannot put a price tag on how important people are to God. Part of loving people is to value them as God does. God loves us so much and valued us so much He:

For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Honoring people is placing the same value God has for us on them. Jesus spoke honor to those He loved, those who other despised, and those who despised Him because He knew God valued them all. 

Honor involves Humility

This is being a servant to others to help them succeed and win. When their gains and wins are more important than your own. This means you do not call special attention to yourself or demand attention. We are to all work together to help each other without hope of selfish gain or recognition. Love does not demand recognition, but elevates others to be recognized and to succeed.

Honor involves Respect 

Be eager to show respect to one another. Honor and respect go hand in hand. Where one is lacking, chances are, the other is lacking also. To show respect is to give someone special attention. Even when you do not agree, you still respect them and are not rude.

Showing respect does not always have to be about a person’s position.

Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:17

God created everyone with a purpose and each person is significant. Cutting others down, belittling, and rude sarcasm should never hold a place in the life of a Christian character.

Honor involves Enthusiasm

We need to take delight in honoring each other! Be eager with the attitude trying to out do each other in honor. 

Think about it for a moment. What would our lives be like if we were motivated and driven, inspired and enthusiastic about honoring the people in our lives?

What if couples out did each other in honoring each other?

Brothers and sister?

Employees?

Church members?

The power of honoring each other has the potential of revolutionizing every relationship. Instead of the motive of selfishness to get out what you give, when if instead we just honored one another?

Honor involves Grace

Love and honoring people, involves… people.

All people struggle with sin and weaknesses. This does not qualify them from being honored. Their life is still important to God no matter where they are in life. A life that is on the right path with God is no more honorable than a life deep within the pit of darkness. They equally matter to God. No life is more important or less important to God and we need to have the same love for people and place the same importance on people as He does.

It takes grace to honor people who make it hard to honor by the choices, lifestyles, and attitudes they have. Showing honor is an act of grace. It takes God grace upon us to give His grace to others. 

Honoring others is about treating them and talking to them as if they have value and matter. If God says we have value and matter to Him, then we need to love others with honor as He loves us.

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