It may be difficult for us, from our modern perspective (depending somewhat on our cultural context), to grasp the importance of honour in the Graeco-Roman world. Ramsay MacMullen, an expert on the Roman Empire, points out that the love of status
(philotimia in Greek) was a central motivation for people seeking public office. He expresses the view that [n]o word, understood to its depths, goes farther to explain the Greco-Roman achievement.
1 People who held public offices were willing to spend vast sums of money on their cities in return for the privilege of having an inscription or monument erected in their honour.
Orators were known for seeking honour from their audiences. The Stoic philosopher, Epictetus, criticized an orator who, in response to a hearer’s question, said, But praise me!
What do you mean by praise?
asked the hearer.
Cry 'Bravo! Marvelous!' was the orator's reply.
2
Paul clearly sought to distance himself from this kind of behaviour, refusing to seek honour!
6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.