Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Respect is earned. Today athletes and musicians attack others for not being “respected.” The fact that they demand it, weakens their case for having it. Respect is honor, acknowledging someone’s good traits and giving them a nod of approval. There’s a hint of fear sometimes mixed into that respect, depending on the person’s status.

Paul says in 1 Thessalonians that to earn respect you must not be an attention-getter, a busy-body, a gossip or a lazy bum. Nobody respects these types.  Those types of people seem very content with themselves, not needing others to prove their value. 

So to be more respectful, honor those who deserve it, who fulfill those qualities just mentioned, give others the spotlight and acknowledge their strengths and talents.  To be respectful you must be humble.