How Should Believers Show Devotion and Honor to One Another in the Body of Christ?

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Romans 12:10 states, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” This instruction, given by the apostle Paul, forms part of a larger section in Romans where he urges believers to live out their faith in practical, everyday relationships. Following eleven chapters of rich doctrinal teaching about salvation, grace, and the righteousness of God, chapter 12 marks a shift to ethical exhortation—how true worship manifests in action, especially within the community of believers. Verse 10 emphasizes mutual commitment and humility among brethren, describing not only what believers should do but how they should feel about one another.

The first phrase, “Be devoted to one another in love,” calls for a deep, family-like affection among Christians. The Greek phrase here combines two key words: philostorgos (translated “be devoted”) and philadelphia (translated “in love”). Philostorgos refers to the kind of tender affection that exists within close family relationships—natural, heartfelt care and loyalty. Philadelphia means brotherly love, the affection shared among members of a spiritual family. Paul is calling Christians not merely to tolerate one another or act kindly out of obligation, but to truly care for each other as brothers and sisters in the household of God.

This kind of familial devotion mirrors what Jesus said in John 13:35: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The mark of a faithful follower is not mere doctrinal accuracy, but sincere love for fellow believers—love that expresses itself in action, support, and compassion. This deep affection is especially vital because Christians are bound together not just by shared belief, but by a common spiritual birth through the gospel, making them part of Jehovah’s family (Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19).

The second part of the verse, “Honor one another above yourselves,” emphasizes humility and selflessness. The Greek verb proēgeomai, translated “honor above,” means to take the lead in showing honor, to outdo one another in giving recognition and value. This is not about flattery or empty compliments, but about sincere acknowledgment of each other’s worth as fellow heirs in the body of Christ. It calls believers to take initiative in expressing esteem and giving preference to others’ needs and contributions.

This teaching stands in stark contrast to worldly thinking, where competition, recognition, and self-advancement are often prioritized. In the kingdom of God, greatness is marked by humility and the willingness to serve. Philippians 2:3 echoes this principle: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” To honor another above oneself is to let go of entitlement, pride, and the need for personal attention. It is to choose the welfare, success, and joy of others before one’s own.

Paul’s instruction also directly supports unity in the congregation. Where honor is freely given, divisions are healed, jealousies are subdued, and selfish ambition is dismantled. James 3:16 warns, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” Honoring one another guards against such dangers, nurturing a spirit of harmony and mutual edification within the church.

Importantly, this love and honor are not grounded in sentiment but in truth. The apostle John teaches in 1 John 3:18, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Brotherly love must be sincere, active, and guided by the Word of God. It involves bearing each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), offering forgiveness (Colossians 3:13), and contributing to each other’s spiritual growth (Hebrews 10:24–25).

Ultimately, Romans 12:10 teaches that those who belong to Christ must cultivate a family-like bond with one another—devotion rooted in spiritual kinship and lived out through practical honor and humility. This kind of love is not optional; it is the natural outworking of a life transformed by the mercies of God (Romans 12:1–2). When believers put others first and delight in one another’s good, the body of Christ is strengthened, and Jehovah is glorified.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).