"Do not call anyone on earth your father: for One is your Father, He who is in heaven"
(Matthew 23:9 NKJV)

exalt God instead of men

Does this verse forbid a child calling his dad “father”? If so, then “grandfather” would be even more sinful, and “great-grand-father” would be abominable. Jesus is not forbidding these harmless examples. The Lord said, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me…” (Matthew 10:37).

Paul’s relationship to some younger men in the faith was very similar to the father-son relationship. “To Timothy, a true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). “To Timothy, a beloved son” (2 Timothy 1:2). “To Titus, a true son in our common faith” (Titus 1:4). “Son” describes a spiritual relationship. Where there is a son, there must be a father (in this case, Paul). But Paul does not use these terms as religious titles.

Jesus is not condemning family terminology. He rebukes Pharisees who wear titles of distinction—very much in the way that moderns proudly display their superiority over others. Like the Pharisees, these egotists do all their works to be seen by men (Matthew 23:5). Despite the Lord’s condemnation of vain displays, men invented religious titles to give and to receive undue honor.

“Father” in our passage is used in the same way as “Rabbi” (Matthew 23:7) and “Teacher” (Matthew 23:10): they are religious titles that are designed to exalt men.

Jesus powerfully condemns the practice of religious titles; they should be exalting God instead (Matthew 23:9). How could language be plainer? We wonder: have denominational “reverends” and Roman Catholic “fathers” read this passage?

– Rick Duggin