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Above the altar are placed the words “All Honour to God.”
We can recognise ‘honour to whom honour is due’ as respect for others. 1 Timothy 5:17, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” (See also Verse 3 and Romans 2:10). We also obediently honour our father and mother. Ephesians 6:1-2, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother;” However, the fullness or ‘All Honour’ reserved for God, is the complete obedience, respect, and glory due to His name alone.

We can reread verse seven with this understanding, “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory (honour) of God.”
Apostle Paul went to great lengths in his letters to highlight the value and power of unity for believers. As a studier of people, he saw that growth and edification came from being of ‘one mind and one mouth’ (Verse 6).

No doubt, he also witnessed the reverse effect of divisiveness. For all our modern understanding, we see more obviously today the effects of disunity upon groups of people. Governments fall apart, sporting clubs are unsuccessful and society itself does not benefit when we move towards individualism.

Sadly, the church is not devoid of these concerns. The church has always been made of imperfect people, which is the reason Paul needed to write these words. The good news is that in our imperfection, Jesus accepted us as part of His body and if we want to bring honour to God, we need to play our part in accepting imperfect others.

The words above the altar should always be a reminder to;
⦁ not elevate Ministers above God, but also
⦁ not elevate ourselves above others.

Romans 15:2, “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.”