Romans 13:7, Amplified Bible

“Pay to all what is due: tax to whom tax is due, customs to whom customs, respect to whom respect, honor to whom honor.”

I recently heard someone mention the phrase, “give honor where honor is due,” and I felt led to do some research about this saying by studying the Word of God to understand the accurate meaning of this statement.

In Romans 13:7 Paul writes, “Pay to all what is due: tax to whom tax is due, customs to whom customs, respect to whom respect, honor to whom honor.” (Amplified Bible)

In GOD'S WORD Translation it states it like this, “Pay everyone whatever you owe them. If you owe taxes, pay them. If you owe tolls, pay them. If you owe someone respect, respect that person. If you owe someone honor, honor that person.”

The key word is “Pay whatever you owe!” So, the question/argument in this modern day would be this: Who does and who does not deserve my respect and honor? Respect and honor need to be earned.

This concept is much different than where I grew up. The concept of respecting one another is a normal moral we learn in Asian culture. Especially when talking about the younger generation to the older. As well as honoring those who are in authority. A simple way to say this might be this: You will bow to the judge who is on the seat. However, as time has passed, throughout different cultures and circumstances, respect and honor is slipping away.

So, what is the Biblical meaning of giving respect and honor? The Bible teaches us that to show respect and honor to someone is to value them highly or bestow value upon them.

Respect and honor are not something that a person must earn, but we as a Christians need to see them as God’s wonderfully and fearfully created living beings. We are called to value them by recognizing the value God has placed upon them. Simply stated: Respect one another as though we are respecting God, and honor one another as though we are honoring God.

“Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1, CSB)

“For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service].” (Romans 12:3, Amplified Bible)

Didn’t Christ make Himself nothing by taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness? (Philippians 2:7) Shouldn’t we learn the lesson from those who denied Him, showing Him no respect and honor?