Reverend — Call No Man or Woman

The word 'reverend' appears only once in the King James Bible — Psalm 111:9 — and there it describes God Himself. Yet today millions of men carry this title. This study examines what Scripture says about titles, honor, and the humility that should characterize those who lead God's people.

Key Scripture

Biblical Context

In Psalm 111:9, the word 'reverend' describes God's name. It means to be feared, to be revered with holy awe. In the entire KJV, this is the only place the word appears, and it is applied to God alone. The implication is significant: the kind of reverence that the word 'reverend' carries belongs to God, not to a human title.

In Matthew 23, Jesus warns against the love of titles and positions. He tells His disciples not to be called 'Rabbi' or 'Father' or 'Master' in a way that elevates them above their brothers. The greatest among you, He says, is the servant. The one who humbles himself will be exalted. The principle is not about forbidding all titles — Paul calls himself an apostle and refers to elders, pastors, and teachers. The principle is about the heart: titles must not become a means of spiritual elitism or of taking honor that belongs to God.

What Scripture Clearly Says

Scripture teaches that God alone is worthy of the kind of reverence the word 'reverend' conveys. It teaches that those who lead God's people should be servants, not those who seek honor for themselves. It teaches that titles, when used, should describe a function — pastor, elder, teacher — not elevate a person above the family of God.

Scripture also teaches that those who hold titles are not automatically lost. Many carry the title 'Reverend' through denominational tradition without understanding its implications. The issue is not the word itself but the heart it represents. This is an invitation to examine tradition in light of Scripture, not to condemn those who use the title.

Application

Give to God the honor and reverence that belongs to Him alone. Do not place human leaders on pedestals that belong only to Christ. At the same time, honor those who faithfully serve — not with the reverence due to God, but with the respect and love that Scripture commands for those who labor among the saints (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). If you are a leader, examine your own heart. Are you seeking honor for yourself, or seeking to serve as Christ served?

Reflection Questions

1. 1

   Have you ever placed a human leader on a pedestal that belongs only to Christ?

2. 2

   What does it mean to honor leaders biblically without giving them the reverence that belongs to God alone?

3. 3

   If you are a leader, are you serving as Christ served, or seeking honor for yourself?

4. 4

   How can you examine your own traditions in light of Scripture without condemning those who hold them sincerely?

Prayer

Related Studies

Study 11: Authority in Christ — All authority belongs to Jesus Christ.

Study 137: Who Should Help Others Find Freedom? — The character Christ shapes in those who serve.