Use of Title "Reverend" in the New Testament
The title "Reverend" does not appear in the New Testament. The term itself, meaning "worthy of reverence" or "revered," is not used in biblical texts to describe individuals or their roles [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Instead, the New Testament uses various other terms to identify leaders and ministers within the early Christian community.
The New Testament frequently refers to individuals by their given names, such as Peter, Paul, John, and James. When describing roles or functions, it employs terms like "apostle," "prophet," "evangelist," "pastor" (or "shepherd"), "teacher," "elder" (presbyter), and "deacon" [11]. For instance, Paul identifies himself as a "slave of Christ Jesus" and an apostle, emphasizing his complete subservience to Christ [11]. This title was also used for significant Old Testament leaders like Moses, Joshua, Elijah, and David [11].
The concept of "returning" or "turning back" is a significant theme in the Bible, often associated with repentance and a change of loyalty towards God [9, 10]. For example, the Hebrew verb for "return" can signify God's intervention to change destiny [8], or Israel's reorientation back to God [9]. This idea is seen in calls to "repent" and "turn yourselves" from sin [10], and in warnings against "backsliding" or turning from God [6]. The Psalms speak of those who "turn aside" from God's law to falsehood [12]. Jeremiah is told that if he will "return" to his prophetic function, God will "bring him back" to his position [13]. While these concepts relate to spiritual turning, they do not connect to a title like "Reverend."
The absence of "Reverend" in the New Testament reflects the early Christian emphasis on humility and service rather than honorific titles for its leaders. The focus was on the function and character of ministry, rather than on formal designations that might elevate individuals above the community.
Sources
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Shear-jashub — the remnant shall return”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Zina — shining; going back”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Jered — ruling; coming down”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Shubael — returning captivity; seat of God”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Shobab — returned; turned back; a spark”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Backsliding — Is turning from God -- 1Ki 11:9. Is leaving the first love -- Re 2:4. Is departing form the simplicity of the gospel -- 2Co 11:3; Ga 3:1-3; 5:4,7. God is displeased at -- Ps 78:57,59. Warnings against -- Ps 85:8; 1Co 10:12. Guilt and consequences of -- Nu 14:43; Ps 125:5; Isa 59:2,9-11; Jer 5:6; 8:5,13; 15:6; Lu 9:62. Brings its own punishment -- Pr 14:14; Jer 2:19. A haughty spirit leads to -- Pr 16:18. Proneness to -- Pr 24:16; Ho 11:7. Liable to continue and increase -- Jer 8:5; 14:7. Exhortations to return from -- 2Ch 30:6; Isa 31:6; Jer 3:12,14,22;”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H7467H — Man living at the time of Exile and Return (refs: #A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at 1Ch.9.8; <br>only referred to as <s)”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 18:10: 18:10 I will return: The Hebrew verb means “to intervene in someone’s life to change their destiny.” The statement announced a coming dramatic change.”
- Malachi (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Malachi 3:7: 3:7 In the context of covenant relationship, return expresses a change of loyalty on the part of Israel or God. Typically, the term is understood as repentance, a complete change of direction back to God or a total reorientation toward the Lord. The imperative verb conveys urgency and demands an immediate response from the audience. The indictment of insincere worship builds on similar charges in the second disputation (see 1:6-14), just as God’s promise to “open the windows of heaven” (3:10) affirms his power as “a great king” (see 1:14).”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 18:30: As God is to judge them "according to their ways" (Pro 1:31), their only hope is to "repent"; and this is a sure hope, for God takes no delight in judging them in wrath, but graciously desires their salvation on repentance. I will judge you--Though ye cavil, it is a sufficient answer that I, your Judge, declare it so, and will judge you according to My will; and then your cavils must end. Repent--inward conversion (Rev 2:5). In the Hebrew there is a play of like sounds, "Turn ye and return." turn yourselves, &c.--the outward fruits of repentanc”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:1: 1:1-17 These verses contain the normal features of New Testament letter introductions: an identification of the writer (1:1-6) and readers (1:7), a thanksgiving (1:8-15), and the theme of the letter (1:16-17). 1:1 slave of Christ Jesus: The word slave is used of important Old Testament leaders of God’s people, such as Moses (2 Kgs 18:12), Joshua (Josh 24:29), Elijah (2 Kgs 10:10), and David (2 Sam 7:8). The title underscores Paul’s complete subservience to Christ as Lord. • sent out (literally set apart): Paul may be alluding to being set apart by God for his missi”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 40:4: Blessed-- (Psa 1:1; Psa 2:12). respecteth--literally, "turns towards," as an object of confidence. turn aside--from true God and His law to falsehood in worship and conduct.”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 15:19: God's reply to Jeremiah. return . . . bring . . . again--Jeremiah, by his impatient language, had left his proper posture towards God; God saith, "If thou wilt return (to thy former patient discharge of thy prophetic function) I will bring thee back" to thy former position: in the Hebrew there is a play of words, "return . . . turn again" (Jer 8:4; Jer 4:1). stand before me--minister acceptably to Me (Deu 10:8; Kg1 17:1; Kg1 18:15). take . . . precious from . . . vile--image from metals: "If thou wilt separate what is precious in thee (the div”