What is the honor that inferiors owe to their superiors?
The honor which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in heart, word, and behavior; prayer and thanksgiving for them; imitation of their virtues and graces; willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsels; due submission to their corrections; fidelity to, defense and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to their several ranks, and the nature of their places; bearing with their infirmities, and covering them in love, that so they may be an honor to them and to their government.
Proofs
- The honor which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in heart, (Malachi 1:6; Leviticus 19:3)
- word, (Proverbs 31:28)
- and behavior; (Leviticus 19:32; 1 Kings 2:19)
- prayer and thanksgiving for them; (1 Timothy 2:1–2)
- imitation of their virtues and graces; (Hebrews 13:7; Philippians 3:17)
- willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsels; (Ephesians 6:1–2, 6–7; 1 Peter 2:13–14; Romans 13:1–5; Hebrews 13:17; Proverbs 4:3–4; 23:22; Exodus 18:19, 24)
- due submission to their corrections; (Hebrews 12:9; 1 Peter 2:18–20)
- fidelity to, (Titus 2:9–10)
- defense (1 Samuel 26:15–16; 2 Samuel 18:3; Esther 6:2)
- and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to their several ranks, and the nature of their places; (Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:6–7; 1 Timothy 5:17–18; Galatians 6:6; Genesis 45:11; 47:12)
- bearing with their infirmities, and covering them in love, that so they may be an honor to them and to their government. (1 Peter 2:18; Proverbs 23:22; Genesis 9:23)