Honor everyone. 1 Peter 2:17

Two simple words. No caveats. No exceptions. No further details or explanations offered. It should be one of the easiest commands to follow.

And yet, it raises all sorts of questions. What is the basis for this instruction? Does it really mean EVERYONE? Even that disagreeable person? Even the one who is so hostile to the Christian faith? And practically speaking, what does it look like to honor someone?

All good questions. Let’s try and answer one or two.

What is the basis for the instruction? I think there are two main reasons undergirding this command, one general and one particular. The general reason goes all the way back to Genesis 1. We are called to honor everyone because everyone still bears the image of God. This is true even in a sinful, broken world. When we honor someone, we are recognizing this truth. The particular reason deals with honoring those in authority over us, which is the context in 1 Peter for the command. We give them honor because they are set in place by God. A good example to see this is the life of Daniel, who honored even the wicked pagan kings under whom he served.

Does honoring someone mean we turn a blind eye to the ways their lives are not lived in accord with the ways and will of God? Absolutely not! We are called to live in reality and part of that reality is acknowledging sin, both in our own lives and the lives of others. Honoring someone is not a wholesale endorsement of everything about them. If we could only honor perfect people, the command would be an absurdity. It is possible to honor someone even as we speak the truth to them in love. Consider the prophets. Or even more consider Jesus.

What are some practical ways to honor everyone? There is much that could be said here but let me offer two suggestions.

• We can honor others in the language we choose to use (and not use) when speaking to or about them. Derogatory, demeaning language in speaking of others should not be the norm for followers of Jesus. Calling people names, making fun of them because of some frailty or weakness, or using unfair, exaggerated language is out of bounds. We should also be willing to use socially accepted titles when referring to those in authority over us. Prophets referred to kings as King. Apostles used honorifics, such as “Most excellent So and So”. So, we use terms like mayor, governor, senator, and president (or former president).  
• We honor others by being intentional about looking for what is honorable in their lives. Finding the dishonorable ways of someone is like shooting fish in a barrel. It is an easy game to point out people’s faults; they are many and they are evident. But to really take the time to look for and honor the good in someone’s life, that is another story. For example, perhaps there is someone you know who is a vocal opponent of the Christian faith. But he has been faithfully married to his wife for 25 years and has sought (imperfectly) to provide for and care for his children. Honor him for that. Does it make him right with God? No. But perhaps in honoring him in this way, God might be pleased to begin to break down his walls of opposition.

Saints, we should be leaders in our world in the work of honoring others. Not in the way of flattery or honoring others for the purpose of personal gain. Instead, we do so to remind ourselves and the ones receiving honor of each one’s status as an image bearer of the one true God. And perhaps most importantly, we honor our Savior by honoring His word and command to honor everyone.