Question:

Does Matthew 23:9 apply to us today?

Answer:

            Simply put, the answer is “yes,” but let us understand why this is so. To do this, let us begin by reading Matthew 23:9: “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” In the context of Matthew 23, we see that Jesus was teaching His disciples not to think of men higher than they ought. They were not to be deceived by the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees (v. 2-3), and were not to give flattering titles to men (v. 7-10). Therefore, when men want flattering titles today, whether it be “father,” “reverend” (see: Psalm 111:9), “right reverend,” “worshipful master,” or anything else, Christ says don’t do it! Men ought not wear such titles, for we are not to think of men above what is written (Romans 12:3; I Corinthians 4:6)!

            What stands out to me is the fact that when the New Testament writers wrote, whether it be Paul, James, Jude, or Peter, these men referred to themselves merely as “servants”! (Romans 1:1; Titus 1:1; James 1:1; II Peter 1:1) If these men were satisfied to simply be considered servants of God, why can’t we?

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