Hallowed Name
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” Matthew 6.9
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” Matthew 6.9
The third commandment given to Moses for God’s people concerned their representation of their God: “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Exodus 20.7)
When considering someone’s name, we take into account that person’s reputation for honesty and integrity. Peeling away all of the world’s material things from a person’s portfolio, all that is left is one’s name. In the business world, all the advertising in the world cannot overcome poor ratings and words from displeased customers. And, poor associations tend to drive away the inquisitive seekers who might, under positive reviews, become a constituent.
Some time ago a post appeared on one of my friend’s Facebook pages which was quite racy. When I first saw it, I thought, “There’s no way this person posted that smut.” I knew he would never engage in such a post. On the other hand, I’ve used the “block” function on some whose posts and language was completely inappropriate for human consumption – even an old sinner like me.
The first request in our Lord’s model prayer is one concerning His name. The name speaks of reputation and how others perceive the person in question. Having a good name is special beyond description. The writer of Proverbs makes the following observation: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22.1)
While we live in the world and among those who make up the world’s population (both saved and lost), we, as followers of Christ, carry a grave responsibility to represent His name in an honorable fashion. “Hallowed” translates the Greek word, “hagiazō” which means “to make holy, to be separated in purity.” Followers of Christ are “in” the world, but not “of” the world.
Our lives should be different from those in the world and not in Christ. “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (I John 2.4-6) We should be walking so close to Christ that no one could doubt our relationship with Him.
Our language should betray the fact that we have been with Christ. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4.29, 30) While this does cover the language we use when communicating, it also speaks of how we speak. Do we speak in ways that edify?
Our reputation should be one that makes our Savior/God look good. Does our life line up well with the Person of our Savior? Can we give the same advice to young believers that Paul gave to his readers in I Corinthians 11.1? “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
As representatives of our heavenly Father we have a responsibility to hallow His name in our living – in our language – and, in our reputation. “Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” (John 12.28)
When considering someone’s name, we take into account that person’s reputation for honesty and integrity. Peeling away all of the world’s material things from a person’s portfolio, all that is left is one’s name. In the business world, all the advertising in the world cannot overcome poor ratings and words from displeased customers. And, poor associations tend to drive away the inquisitive seekers who might, under positive reviews, become a constituent.
Some time ago a post appeared on one of my friend’s Facebook pages which was quite racy. When I first saw it, I thought, “There’s no way this person posted that smut.” I knew he would never engage in such a post. On the other hand, I’ve used the “block” function on some whose posts and language was completely inappropriate for human consumption – even an old sinner like me.
The first request in our Lord’s model prayer is one concerning His name. The name speaks of reputation and how others perceive the person in question. Having a good name is special beyond description. The writer of Proverbs makes the following observation: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22.1)
While we live in the world and among those who make up the world’s population (both saved and lost), we, as followers of Christ, carry a grave responsibility to represent His name in an honorable fashion. “Hallowed” translates the Greek word, “hagiazō” which means “to make holy, to be separated in purity.” Followers of Christ are “in” the world, but not “of” the world.
Our lives should be different from those in the world and not in Christ. “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (I John 2.4-6) We should be walking so close to Christ that no one could doubt our relationship with Him.
Our language should betray the fact that we have been with Christ. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4.29, 30) While this does cover the language we use when communicating, it also speaks of how we speak. Do we speak in ways that edify?
Our reputation should be one that makes our Savior/God look good. Does our life line up well with the Person of our Savior? Can we give the same advice to young believers that Paul gave to his readers in I Corinthians 11.1? “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
As representatives of our heavenly Father we have a responsibility to hallow His name in our living – in our language – and, in our reputation. “Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” (John 12.28)
Copyright © 2026 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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