Top 10 Verses on HonorShame
People often ask “What is a theme verse for honor and shame?” Many verses (as well as motifs and narratives) address honor and shame; but here is a list of 10 key verses.
10- 1 Samuel 2:6-8 (Hannah’s song) The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.
9- Hebrews 12:2 …looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
8- John 12:42-43 Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God.
7- Joel 2:26-27 And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the Lord, am your God and there is no other. And my people shall never again be put to shame.
6- 1 Samuel 2:30 The Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be treated with contempt.’
5- Isaiah 54:4 Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more.
4- Romans 10:11-12 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.
3- Philippians 2:5-11 (Jesus) emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name.
2- Psalm 62:7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. (NIV)
1- 1 Peter 2:6-10 …whoever believes in him (Jesus) will not be put to shame, but honor to those who believe; …. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people;
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The well-known Messianic text of Isaiah 9 begins with a bold declaration, “God will honor Galilee of the nations. And then words like ‘enlarged the nation’ and ‘the greatness of his rule” … Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
Another powerful motif is in the prodigal son story. Every step is honor/shame (rejecting a generous father, squandering wealth, feeding pigs..) culminating in the son returning home and saying to his father, “I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” (Luke 15:19)
The father replies in classic honor/shame fashion: “Bring the best robe…”
I picked up a book from the library yesterday with this story in our local language and it had been translated from an English book in which the son only says, “I have sinned against heaven and against you,” without the line “I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” I was really disappointed.