Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
Chapters 32 to 37 contain the speeches of Elihu, forming the third of the four parts of the book of Job, coming after the prologue and the debate between Job and his three friends and before the speeches of the Lord out of the storm-cloud. The speaker is Elihu, a younger man who steps in believing his superior wisdom will correct Job, who follows much the same line as Job's other friends, and to whom no answer is made. In the verse he resolves not to show favoritism to any person in judgment and not to give people flattering titles.
Flattery is to be avoided because it is lying and can act as a trap that appeals to vanity and self-interest. No minister, elder, or church or state officer is to be addressed by exalted religious titles, especially Reverend, because that title belongs to God alone, and giving it to a man is idolatry and taking God's name in vain.
Ministers and officers are still to be honored and respected according to their station and worth, but they ought to refuse the title Reverend and be called Elder instead.
Chapters 32 to 37 contain the speeches of Elihu, forming the third of the four parts of the book of Job, coming after the prologue and the debate between Job and his three friends and before the speeches of the Lord out of the storm-cloud. The speaker is Elihu, a younger man who steps in believing his superior wisdom will correct Job, who follows much the same line as Job's other friends, and to whom no answer is made. In the verse he resolves not to show favoritism to any person in judgment and not to give people flattering titles.
Flattery is to be avoided because it is lying and can act as a trap that appeals to vanity and self-interest. No minister, elder, or church or state officer is to be addressed by exalted religious titles, especially Reverend, because that title belongs to God alone, and giving it to a man is idolatry and taking God's name in vain.
Ministers and officers are still to be honored and respected according to their station and worth, but they ought to refuse the title Reverend and be called Elder instead.