Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 8369 worthiness
Only God truly merits honour and praise but he graciously considers those who humbly serve him with wholehearted devotion to be worthy disciples.
God the Father is worthy of honour and praise
Psalm 145:3 See also 2 Samuel 22:4 pp Psalm 18:3; 1 Chronicles 16:25 pp Psalm 96:4; Psalm 48:1; Revelation 4:11
Jesus Christ is worthy of honour and praise
Revelation 5:12 See also Matthew 3:17 pp Mark 1:11 pp Luke 3:22; Matthew 17:5 pp Mark 9:7 pp Luke 9:35; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 2:9; Hebrews 3:3; 2 Peter 1:17; Revelation 5:9
People are considered worthy by others
Luke 7:4-5 Note that the centurion did not consider himself to be worthy (Lk 7:7). See also Genesis 39:4; Genesis 41:38-40; 1 Samuel 16:6; 1 Kings 1:42; Daniel 1:18-20; Daniel 2:46-48; Daniel 3:28-30; Acts 14:11-13
God considers no person (other than Jesus Christ) to be worthy by nature
Revelation 5:4 See also Psalm 14:3; Psalm 143:2; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10-12,23
Worthiness, like righteousness, is credited to a person by God
2 Thessalonians 1:11 See also Luke 20:35; Romans 2:29; 2 Corinthians 10:18
Examples of people who are considered worthy by God
Those who put God first and deny themselves
Matthew 10:37-38 See also 1 Samuel 2:30; Luke 9:62; Romans 12:1-2
Those who suffer persecution for the sake of Jesus Christ
Acts 5:41 See also Matthew 5:10-12; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; 1 Peter 2:19-20
Those whose lives show Christlike godliness
Colossians 1:10 See also 1 Samuel 16:7; Ephesians 4:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Timothy 3:8-9,11; Titus 2:2; Revelation 3:4
Those who stand firm for the gospel
Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:15
Those who are faithful in the use of resources which God has given them
Matthew 25:21-23 See also Matthew 24:45-47 pp Luke 12:42-44; Luke 19:17; 1 Timothy 5:17
Those who welcome God's people
Matthew 10:11 See also Matthew 10:41-42; Romans 16:2; 3Jn 6
Examples of worthy people
Genesis 6:8-9 Noah; Deuteronomy 1:36 Caleb; Deuteronomy 34:10 Moses; Job 1:8 Job
Daniel:
Daniel 9:23; Daniel 10:19 Luke 1:28 Mary; James 2:23 Abraham
See also
5556 stewardship 5560 suffering 5878 honour 5974 value 6603 acceptance, divine 8154 righteousness 8225 devotion 8248 faithfulness 8354 trustworthiness 8445 hospitality 8622 worship 8664 praise
