The word "reverend" appears only one time in the Bible and is only applied to God.  It means "worthy of reverence."  The synonyms for the word "reverence" are veneration, awe, adoration, and worship.  Therefore "reverend" is far too high a title or description for men, and I would hope that those who submit to having such a title applied to them do so out of ignorance rather than from a desire to be adored and worshipped

"Reverend" when applied to men, is an extremely flattering title.  And what do the Scriptures say with regard to such titles.  Elihu, speaking to Job and his three friends, said, "Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.  For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would take me away" (Job 32:21-22).  I feel confident that Elihu would have trembled at the thought of calling a mere man by a title or a descriptive word, that belongs only to the Almighty God of heaven and earth.

God says, "I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another..." (Isaiah. 42:8).  He might just as accurately have said, "I am reverend (worthy of worship): that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another."  I would no more apply the word "reverend" to myself than I would the name "Jehovah" or any of the other appellations that are applied to God in the Scriptures.

The flattering titles that are applied to men are almost endless it seems.  They are addressed by such titles as Holy Father, Most Reverend Holy Father, Grand Master, Most Excellent Master, Most worthy Grand Master, The Noble Grand, Vise Grand, Worshipful Grand Master, Grand Master Workman, Supreme Grand Master, Venerable Consul, Grand Patriarch, Grand High Priest, Right Worthy Grand Secretary, Right Worthy Grand Scribe; and on and on the list might go.  To say the least, it manifests a lack of reverence for God when men allow themselves to be addressed by such high-sounding titles.

Christ condemned the scribes and Pharisees for just such things.  He said they love "the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi."  And then He exhorted His disciples, "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ" (Matt. 23:6-10).

Do those not know the word of God who call their priests "Father" and their Pope "Holy Father," and who call their Lodge officers "Masters"?  Do they truly fear God?  One day they will have to answer to Him for their blatant contempt for Him and His teachings in these matters.  Let them read again the words of Elihu, and may God give them grace to repent and turn from the evil in which they are involved.

Those who address their ministers as "Reverend" are equally guilty.  Holy and reverend is God's name.  No man on earth is either holy or reverend.  Let us apply these descriptive terms to God alone.  Men are not reverend and those who address them as such are committing sin every time they do it.  Those that allow themselves to be called Reverend ought either to be ashamed of their ignorance or repent of their arrogance.    ---Elder Ralph Harris (Last sentence contributed by Elder Marty Hoogasian)