Definition and Meaning:
Deference is the respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, or will of another. It involves humility, respect, and consideration for others, often placing their needs or desires above one's own. In a biblical context, deference is closely related to the concepts of humility, honor, and love.

Biblical Context:
Deference is a virtue that is woven throughout the teachings of the Bible. It is an expression of love and humility, reflecting the character of Christ and the call for believers to live in harmony with one another. The Bible encourages believers to show deference to God, to authorities, and to one another within the community of faith.

Deference to God:
Deference to God is foundational in the life of a believer. It involves recognizing God's sovereignty, wisdom, and authority. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage highlights the importance of submitting to God's will and guidance.

Deference to Authorities:
The Bible teaches that believers should show respect and submission to governing authorities as an act of deference to God's established order. Romans 13:1-2 states, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."

Deference to One Another:
Within the Christian community, deference is a key aspect of maintaining unity and peace. Philippians 2:3-4 exhorts believers, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." This passage emphasizes the importance of valuing others above oneself and seeking their well-being.

Deference in Marriage:
In the context of marriage, deference is expressed through mutual submission and respect between spouses. Ephesians 5:21 calls for believers to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This mutual submission is further detailed in the roles of husbands and wives, where husbands are called to love their wives sacrificially, and wives are encouraged to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-33).

Deference in the Church:
Deference within the church involves honoring and respecting church leaders and fellow believers. Hebrews 13:17 instructs, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you." This passage underscores the importance of supporting and respecting church leadership.

Examples of Deference in Scripture:
1. Abraham and Lot: In Genesis 13, Abraham shows deference to his nephew Lot by allowing him to choose the land he preferred, demonstrating humility and generosity.
2. David and Saul: Despite being pursued by King Saul, David consistently showed deference to Saul as the Lord's anointed, refusing to harm him even when he had the opportunity (1 Samuel 24:6).
3. Jesus Christ: The ultimate example of deference is found in Jesus Christ, who, though equal with God, humbled Himself and became obedient to death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8).

Conclusion:
Deference is a vital Christian virtue that reflects the character of Christ and fosters unity and love within the body of believers. It calls for humility, respect, and a willingness to place others' needs above one's own, ultimately glorifying God in all relationships and interactions.(n.) A yielding of judgment or preference to the wishes or opinion of another; submission in opinion; regard; respect; complaisance.4285. proegeomai -- to go before (as a leader)
... prefer. From pro and hegeomai; to lead the way for others, ie Show deference --
prefer. see GREEK pro. see GREEK hegeomai. (proegoumenoi) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4285.htm - 7k

1463. egkomboomai -- to put on oneself (as a garment)
... to gird); to engirdle oneself (for labor), ie Figuratively (the apron as being a
badge of servitude) to wear (in token of mutual deference) -- be clothed with. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1463.htm - 7k

430. elohim -- God, god
... sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of
the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and ...
/hebrew/430.htm - 6k

6915. qadad -- to bow down
... bow down the head, stoop. A primitive root; to shrivel up, ie Contract or bend the
body (or neck) in deference -- bow (down) (the) head, stoop. 6914, 6915. ...
/hebrew/6915.htm - 6k

Whether one Ought to be Withdrawn from Entering Religion through ...
... OF THE ENTRANCE INTO RELIGIOUS LIFE (TEN ARTICLES) Whether one ought to be withdrawn
from entering religion through deference to one's parents? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one ought to be 2.htm

Letter xv. Social and Relative Duties.
... They are better qualified to take the lead, and therefore entitled to respect and
deference.2. The same thing may also be inferred from the precedence always ...
/.../letter xv social and relative.htm

Justice and the Reason of Effects
... To be spruce is to show one's power. 317. Deference means, "Put yourself to
inconvenience." This is apparently silly, but is quite right. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section v justice and the.htm

Letter Lvii. St. Ambrose Informs the Emperor Eugenius Why He was ...
... I also pay the deference due to authority, as it is written: "Honour to whom honour
is due, tribute to whom tribute." [3642] For since I deferred from the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter lvii st ambrose informs.htm

December 14:
... It may not mean pursuing worldly pleasures, or mixing with worldly sets; but a subtler
thing than that"a silent deference to worldly opinion; an almost ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/december 14 0.htm

Whether the virtues Annexed to Justice are Suitably Enumerated?
... ii, 53), a man "renders service and constant deference to his kindred and the
well-wishers of his country." Thirdly, according to the Philosopher (Ethic. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the virtues annexed to.htm

The Internal Witness of the Holy Spirit
... But it is necessary that there should be a testimony in the Church of such a high
character as to render it imperative on all men to pay it due deference." True ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/9 the internal witness of.htm

Introduction
... It is this that makes it possible for him to urge that deference to the
bishop is the same thing as deference to God (Eph.5:3-6). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/introduction 2.htm

Naaman's Wrath
... His pride is touched; he has not been received with due deference. ... We are quite willing
to be healed, but we would like to be healed with due deference. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/naamans wrath.htm

Letter i. Behavior and Manners.
... of the manners of many young people of the present day, I want to impress upon you
that much of this boldness arises from lack of deference or reverence for ...
/.../letter i behavior and manners.htm

Deference (3 Occurrences)
... regard; respect; complaisance. Multi-Version Concordance Deference (3
Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 16:16 I beseech you, on your part ...
/d/deference.htm - 7k

Defer (7 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To yield deference to the wishes of another; to submit to the opinion of
another, or to authority; -- with to. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DEFER. ...
/d/defer.htm - 9k

Deferred (6 Occurrences)

/d/deferred.htm - 8k

Attitudes (1 Occurrence)
... Amaziah bowed down to the gods of Edom (2 Chronicles 25:14). Like deference
was also shown to angels or supernatural beings. Thus ...
/a/attitudes.htm - 20k

Homage (51 Occurrences)
... a sovereign. 2. (n.) Respect or reverential regard; deference; especially,
respect paid by external action; obeisance. 3. (n.) Reverence ...
/h/homage.htm - 21k

Obeisance (45 Occurrences)
... in the phrase "made (or did) obeisance" as a rendering of the reflexive form of
(shachah), and denotes the bow or curtsey indicative of deference and respect. ...
/o/obeisance.htm - 22k

Worship (332 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (a.) Excellence of character; dignity; worth;
worthiness. 2. (a.) Honor; respect; civil deference. ...
/w/worship.htm - 66k

Forsooth (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) In truth; in fact; certainly; very well; -- formerly used as an expression
of deference or respect, especially to woman; now used ironically or ...
/f/forsooth.htm - 7k

Toils (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 16:16 I beseech you, on your part, to show deference to such men,
and to every one who participates in their work and toils hard. (WEY). ...
/t/toils.htm - 8k

Respect (204 Occurrences)
... 7. (v.) Esteem; regard; consideration; honor. 8. (n.) An expression of respect
of deference; regards; as, to send one's respects to another. ...
/r/respect.htm - 38k

What is the biblical view of white privilege? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about disrespect? | GotQuestions.org

What is dynamic equivalence in Bible translation? | GotQuestions.org

Deference: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus