Honour Due to Superiors in the Bible

The honour that inferiors owe to their superiors is a fundamental concept rooted in biblical teachings. Paul writes in Romans 13:1 that "every person be subject to the governing authorities," which establishes a clear hierarchy of authority. This principle extends beyond governmental structures to other relationships, such as those between parents and children, masters and servants, and church leaders and members.

Inferiors are called to show respect, obedience, and reverence to their superiors, not merely because of their position, but because they are ordained by God to exercise authority. This honour is not limited to outward actions, but also involves a heartfelt attitude of humility and submission. By showing honour to their superiors, inferiors demonstrate their reverence for God, who has established these authorities for the maintenance of order and the promotion of the common good.

This doctrine is closely tied to the Reformed understanding of the fifth commandment, which teaches that children should honour their parents, and by extension, all inferiors should honour their superiors. A common misconception is that this principle promotes blind obedience or ignores the possibility of abuse of authority. However, Scripture teaches that authority is not absolute, but is subject to the higher authority of God's law and the principles of justice and compassion. As a result, inferiors are not required to obey superiors who command them to sin or act unjustly, but rather are called to respectfully and humbly appeal to a higher authority when necessary.