What does the Bible say about calling a preacher 'reverend'?

Answer 1

Jesus spoke about the importance of NOT using grandiose titles for those taking the lead in the Christian congregation. He told his disciples that the false religious teachers set themselves up on high, but that HIS followers were"... not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant.For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.."NIV(Matthew23:8-12.(Luke 22:25-27)(John 13:5).

A:

Jesus commands us not to refer to any man on earth as "father." That means in any capacity that smacks of "worship"... since we all have a flesh and blood "father" on earth [whom we should respect and obey, but not "worship"].

Yet, one major universal religious establishment disregards this command of Jesus Christ, and not only condones the calling of men "father" to its discredit... but takes this blasphemy to an even higher plane by referring to its leader as "holy father" -- which is the Father's name in heaven!

"...HOLY FATHER, keep through THINE OWN NAME those whom thou hast given Me, that they may be as one, as we are." (John 17:11)

In this religious, worshipful capacity, then... no man on earth is to be referred to as "Father" [much less, HOLY Father]... because "Father" IS HIS NAME.

In this same religious, worshipful sense... no man, also, should be called "REVEREND"... because:

"...Holy and REVEREND IS HIS NAME." (Ps.111:9)

Answer 2

The word reverend is not in The Bible.

In Matthew chapter 23 Jesus comments on the scribes and Pharisees and their enjoyment of being called Rabbi. Then Jesus warns His disciples about using distinctive titles:

Matthew 23:8-10 But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.

The lesson is only God the father and the Son are worthy of titles. Yet many pompous titles are found in Christendom today: Reverend, Right Reverend, Father, and a host of others.

ANOTHER ANSWER:

In the King James Version one verse in Psalms 111 seems to say that "Reverend" is "another of God's many names":

"He sent redemption unto His people: He hath commanded His covenant for ever: Holy and REVEREND is His Name." (Ps.111:9 KJV)

As originally "inspired," however, the Literal Bible [LIT] reveals:

"Redemption He sent to His people. He has commanded forever His covenant. Holy and AWESOME {is} His name."

"Strong's Definitions" tells us the inspired word is "yare'" (yaw-ray'): "...to fear; morally, to revere; causatively, to frighten: KJV [the many ways the King James Version translates yare' throughout the Old Testament] --affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), X see, terrible (act, -ness, thing)." (Strong's Definitions)

"Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain." (Ex.20:7)

Indeed should all men be "frightened"... and "fearful" to utter his Creator's "Awesome" name [all of them] in any manner other than with "reverence" -- for the breaking of the 3rd Commandment [like the other nine] is also worthy of death!

Answer 3

It doesn't exactly say that. Though in Matthew 23, Jesus says, "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. "Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.' "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven." It could be said that Reverend is another word for Rabbi.