Bible Problem: Matthew 23:9. Who Should We Call Father?
Problem:
In Matthew 23:9 Jesus says:
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Does this mean that we shouldn’t call religious leaders “father?”
What about our biological or legal fathers, or out of respect for someone?
Solution:
There are several instances in the Bible where the word “father” is used to denote a biological father, a legal father, or out of respect or affection. But calling someone “father” is never used in a religious context except when referring to God Himself.
We see this separation of father from religion in Judges 17:10:
And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.
In the New Testament father with a lower case “f” denotes an earthly disposition. When “Father” is used with a capital F, it always refers to God.
Father used for Joseph, Jesus’ adoptive father, is spelled with a lower case “f” in John 6:42
And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
In Philemon 1:3 Father is spelled with a capital “F”:
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Matthew chapter 23 Jesus was talking about the religious leaders; scribes, Pharisees and Rabbis. Verses 8 through 10:
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
When referring to Christ the “M” in Master is capitalized. The first “father” is spelled with a lower case “f”, the second “Father” is spelled with a capital “F” and obviously means God the Father. Jesus Christ is comparing earthly fathers and religious leaders to Himself and to God the Father.
Clearly Jesus is stating that in a religious context we should not call anyone Father, other than God. Religions that instruct its followers to call any of its leaders Father, whether it be a deacon, a priest or the pope, is in direct violation of Jesus’ command.