Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning: The term "reverent" refers to a deep respect and awe for God, characterized by a humble acknowledgment of His majesty and holiness. It involves an attitude of honor and veneration towards the divine, often expressed through worship, prayer, and obedience.
Biblical Usage: In the Bible, reverence is a key aspect of the believer's relationship with God. It is often associated with the fear of the Lord, which is not a fear of punishment but a profound respect for God's power and authority. Reverence is foundational to worship and is reflected in the way individuals approach God in their daily lives.
Old Testament Context: Reverence is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where the fear of the Lord is frequently mentioned as the beginning of wisdom. In
Proverbs 9:10 , it states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." This reverence is not only intellectual but also practical, influencing how one lives in accordance with God's commandments.
The Israelites were instructed to show reverence in their worship practices, as seen in
Leviticus 19:30 : "You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD." This command underscores the importance of approaching God with the utmost respect and honor.
New Testament Context: In the New Testament, reverence continues to be a vital aspect of the Christian faith. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of reverence in worship and daily conduct. In
Hebrews 12:28-29 , it is written, "Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. For our God is a consuming fire."
Reverence is also reflected in the attitude of submission and humility before God. In
Ephesians 5:21 , Paul instructs believers to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This mutual submission is an expression of respect for Christ's authority and an acknowledgment of His lordship.
Practical Implications: Reverence for God influences various aspects of a believer's life, including worship, prayer, and ethical behavior. It calls for a heart posture that recognizes God's holiness and sovereignty, leading to a life of obedience and devotion. Reverence is expressed through acts of worship, such as prayer, singing, and reading Scripture, all done with an attitude of humility and respect.
In the church setting, reverence is demonstrated through orderly and respectful worship services, where the focus is on honoring God. It also extends to personal conduct, where believers are called to live in a manner that reflects their respect for God's commandments and His creation.
Conclusion: Reverence is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. It is an attitude of deep respect and awe for God, influencing worship, prayer, and daily living. Through reverence, believers acknowledge God's holiness and authority, striving to live in a way that honors Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Submissive; humble; respectful; as, reverent to God.
2. (a.) Expressing reverence, veneration, devotion, or submission; as, reverent words; reverent behavior.
Greek
2412. hieroprepes -- reverent ... reverent. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hieroprepes Phonetic Spelling:
(hee-er-op-rep-ace') Short Definition: suitable to a sacred character
... 2124. eulabeia -- caution
... Cognate: 2124 (from 2126 , "reverent, godly fear") -- properly, "a taking hold of
what God calls good"; "holy caution," inducing behavior. See 2126 (). ...
2125. eulabeomai -- to be cautious
... I reverence. Cognate: 2125 (from 2126 ) -- "showing pious care, reverent
circumspection" (M. Vincent). See 2126 (). Word Origin ...
2318. theosebes -- God-fearing
... worshipper of God. From theos and sebomai; reverent of God, ie Pious -- worshipper
of God. see GREEK theos. see GREEK sebomai. (theosebes) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
2152. eusebes -- pious
... devout, godly. From eu and sebomai; well-reverent, ie Pious -- devout, godly.
see GREEK eu. see GREEK sebomai. (eusebeis) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
Strong's Hebrew
3373. yare -- afraid, fearful... Word Origin the same as yare, qv. afraid, fearful From yare'; fearing; morally,
reverent -- afraid, fear (-ful). see HEBREW yare'. 3372b, 3373. yare. 3374
... Library
The Reverent Dutch
... Chapter 19. An Ideal Circuit; Wesley in his Eighties; Wesley Visits Holland;
Incidents in Scotland The Reverent Dutch. One little ...
"There is no Dread that Fully Pleaseth God in us but Reverent ...
... THE SIXTEENTH REVELATION CHAPTER LXXIV "There is no dread that fully pleaseth
God in us but reverent dread". "There is no dread that ...
Christmas and the Aesthetes
... They are not reverent any more than Roman Catholics are reverent, for reverence
in the sad and delicate meaning of the term reverence is a thing only possible ...
Hallowing Christ
... modern hymns that people are so fond of singing, I think you will find in them a
twang of unwholesomeness, just because the love is not reverent enough, and ...
Works by the Rev. Marcus Dods, DD
... "Intelligent, reverent, and spiritual, marked by much literary beauty, and
will be read by both learned and simple.""British Quarterly. ...
Preface to the First Edition of the Gospel of the Pentateuch to ...
... A reverent and rational liberty in criticism (within the limits of orthodoxy) is,
I have always supposed, the right of every Cambridge man; and I was therefore ...
The Old Testament and Modern Criticism
... It is defined by Nash as "the free study of all the facts,"[3] which definition
McFadyen expands so as to read, "the free and reverent study of all the ...
Ye are Superior to Me.
... Footnotes: [711] Literally, "are reverent.". [712] Proverbs 18:17. (LXX). [713]
Literally, "are reverent.". [714] Proverbs 18:17. (LXX). [715] Isaiah 43:26. ...
An Exhortation to Fear God, Etc.
... The last times are come upon us. Let us therefore be of a reverent spirit, and fear
the long-suffering of God, that it tend not to our condemnation. ...
Preface.
... He moves along the high track of revelation as in a familiar path; gazing into its
deepest mysteries with reverent but open eye, and interpreting them to us ...
Thesaurus
Reverent (8 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Submissive; humble; respectful; as,
reverent to God.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Reverent (8 Occurrences).
...Behavior (20 Occurrences)
... orderly" (katastema, "demeanor," "deportment"), including, according to Dean Alford,
"gesture and habit" as the outward expression of a reverent spirit (1 ...
Gossips (5 Occurrences)
... NIV). 1 Timothy 3:11 Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not
slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. (See NAS). 1 ...
Revered (7 Occurrences)
... Malachi 2:5 "My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him
who he might be reverent toward me; and he was reverent toward me, and stood in ...
Reverently (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a reverent manner; in respectful regard.
Multi-Version Concordance Reverently (1 Occurrence). ...
Malicious (13 Occurrences)
... Malicious (13 Occurrences). 1 Timothy 3:11 Their wives in the same way must be reverent,
not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. (See NAS NIV). ...
Addicted (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:8 Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not
addicted to much wine, not greedy for money; (WEB WEY NAS RSV). ...
Slanderers (7 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). 1 Timothy 3:11 Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers,
temperate, faithful in all things. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS RSV). ...
Reverence (42 Occurrences)
... Maccabees 15:12, "a man reverend (aidemon, "modest") in bearing," and in the New
Testament the Revised Version (British and American) has "reverent in demeanor ...
Awe (32 Occurrences)
... Malachi 2:5 "My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him
who he might be reverent toward me; and he was reverent toward me, and stood in ...
Resources
What is God? | GotQuestions.orgShould all mothers be stay-at-home moms? | GotQuestions.orgIs the little drummer boy in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgReverent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
