“…giving preference to one another in honor.” Ro12.10
How does one determine the value of something or someone? Apart from the economics of supply and demand, the value of some things is determined by the price that someone is willing to pay for them. The value then, in this sense, is determined by the buyer. If I am willing to pay a million dollars for a discarded pair of tennis shoes worn by a popular pro basketball player, then I have set the price for it. I am saying, “This is how much it is worth to me.“ The word “honor” in this verse is used to describe the price set for something. In this sense, the price we are willing to pay reflects how much we value it. The price set for the betrayal of Jesus by Judas was thirty pieces of silver. “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value.” In this instance it was not the measure of true value which determined the price but the value assigned by the buyer and seller.
It is easy to see how this word came to be translated “honor.” The way children honor their parents reflects the value they see in them. The parent may have more value to the child, than the child assigns. This is often the case. Jesus speaking of Himself, said that a prophet has no honor in his own country or his own house. It is amazing but even Christ’s family did not assign to Him true value or the honor He deserved.
Now, we are encouraged to give preference to others in showing honor, that is to take the lead and honor one another as having more value than ourselves. We are encouraged to value others and by our actions assign their value by giving preference to them above ourselves. God has paid us a singular honor. He fixed the price set for us when He bought us with the blood of Christ. He asks us to consider the price He has set on men and women and to treat them with the honor and the value befitting such a price. Every time we deny ourselves to serve, suffer abuse without revenge, we give to people that singular honor which says, “I value your life with mine.” 5/24/07 ts
Just me trying to be honest with God.
