Reputation
The Biblical Concept of Reputation
In Scripture, reputation encompasses both public standing and moral character. The biblical writers recognized that a good name is profoundly valuable — "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold" (Proverbs 22:1). At the same time, Scripture warns against placing excessive value on human opinion, since God's assessment is what ultimately matters. The tension between earthly reputation and divine evaluation runs throughout the biblical narrative.
Christ Made Himself of No Reputation
The most theologically significant use of "reputation" appears in Philippians 2:7 (KJV), where Paul writes that Christ Jesus "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant." Modern translations render the Greek as "emptied himself" (ESV, NASB) or "made himself nothing" (NIV). This passage, known as the kenosis hymn (Philippians 2:5-11), describes the incarnation as a voluntary act of self-emptying in which the eternal Son of God set aside the visible display of his divine glory to become a human being and ultimately die on a cross. The one who had infinite reputation in heaven chose to relinquish it for the sake of humanity's salvation.
Those of Reputation in the Early Church
Paul uses "reputation" in Galatians 2:2, 6, 9 to describe the leading apostles in Jerusalem — James, Peter, and John. He refers to them as those "who seemed to be something" or "who were of repute." Paul's tone here is complex: he acknowledges their standing while insisting that God shows no partiality and that their reputation did not add anything to his own gospel. The passage reveals the early church's struggle with authority structures and Paul's insistence that his apostleship was validated by God, not by human endorsement.
Gamaliel: A Man of Reputation
In Acts 5:34, the Pharisee Gamaliel is described as "held in honor by all the people" (literally "in reputation"). His intervention saved the apostles from the Sanhedrin's wrath when he counseled patience: "If this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them" (Acts 5:38-39). Gamaliel's reputation gave weight to his counsel, illustrating how earned respect can be used for wise and even providential purposes.
The Danger of Seeking Human Reputation
Jesus repeatedly warned against the pursuit of human reputation at the expense of faithfulness to God. He condemned the Pharisees who "loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God" (John 12:43). He taught that those who do their righteous deeds to be seen by others have already received their full reward (Matthew 6:1-2). The pursuit of reputation becomes spiritually dangerous when it replaces the desire to please God.
Building a Reputation That Honors God
While warning against reputation-seeking, Scripture also commends those whose good reputation serves God's purposes. Paul instructed believers to "hold in reputation" those who labor in the gospel (Philippians 2:29). He required that church leaders be "well thought of by outsiders" (1 Timothy 3:7). The writer of Hebrews catalogs the heroes of faith who "received their commendation" through faithfulness (Hebrews 11:2, 39). A godly reputation is not pursued for its own sake but emerges naturally from a life of authentic faith and consistent service.
Biblical Context
"Reputation" appears in Philippians 2:7 (Christ's self-emptying), Galatians 2:2, 6, 9 (the Jerusalem apostles), Acts 5:34 (Gamaliel), Philippians 2:29 (holding gospel workers in honor), and Ecclesiastes 10:1 (a dead fly ruining a perfumer's reputation). The broader theme of reputation versus divine approval runs through Jesus's teaching in Matthew 6 and John 12.
Theological Significance
The kenosis passage in Philippians 2:7 transforms the concept of reputation from a human social category into a christological truth. Christ's willingness to surrender divine reputation for human salvation establishes the pattern for all Christian living: status is not something to be grasped but something to be surrendered in service to others. The biblical balance between valuing a good name and refusing to idolize human opinion reflects the larger tension between living before God and living before people.
Historical Background
In the honor-shame culture of the ancient Mediterranean world, reputation was arguably the most valuable social currency. A person's honor determined their access to social networks, economic opportunities, and political influence. The Greek concept of 'doxa' (glory, reputation) was central to public life. Paul's willingness to challenge the reputation of the Jerusalem apostles in Galatians 2 was culturally provocative, asserting that divine commission trumps human social standing. Christ's kenosis — voluntarily embracing shame in a shame-averse culture — was scandalous beyond what modern readers typically appreciate.