And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. ~ Matthew 23:9

The above verse is cause of some controversy between Catholics and separated Christian brethren.  Some say that the command to "call no man father" directly applies to the titles given to priests in the Catholic Church.  We call all priests "father" because we are their spiritual children.  However, these people fail to recognize that the directly literal interpretation of this verse condemns far more than just the title of priests.

Take for example, our biological fathers.  If we were to interpret Matthew 23:9 literally, that would mean that none of us could call any man upon the earth "father".  To really obey the Scriptures at face value, we would refrain from calling our actual fathers "father".  Of course, that would be simply absurd.  Even in the NT we see clear examples of people calling their fathers by name.  Not only that, but it was apparently acceptable to refer to ancestors by the name of "father" as well.

To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; the oath which he sware to our father Abraham. ~ Luke 1:72-73

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. ~ John 8:56 [Jesus speaking to the Jews]

In Romans 9:10, Paul also speaks of "our father Isaac".  It's obvious that Jesus didn't really command us to literally refrain from calling anyone on earth "father".  He had a deeper meaning that went beyond the simple face value.

First of all, let's look at the context of the verse in Matthew 23, starting with verse 1:

1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

2 Saying The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 

4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synogogues,

7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

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.

11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye that are entering them to go in.

As you can see, these thirteen verses (and the entire chapter) were directed toward the scribes and Pharisees.  The overall purpose was to point out their pride in being in a superior position.  So, how does "call no man father" fit in with that context?  Notice the verses before and after verse 9.  Verse 8 says, "be ye not called Rabbi" and verse 10 "neither be ye called masters".  Does this forbid anyone from having those titles?  Jesus in John 3:10 questions Nicodemus saying, "Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?"  Again, there must be a deeper meaning than the face value. 

Jesus was condemning the Pharisee's vainglory.  They were flashing around their good works and taking selfish advantage of their authority.  That was why Jesus said, "whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."  He was trying to show them the foolishness of their pride.  What kind of Rabbis were they compared to God, who is Master of all?  Why were they so proud of being called "father" when they were so inferior to the heavenly Father?  They were trying to set themselves up as ultimate authorities rather than recognizing that God was the source of all authority. 

Again, I am going to come back to the literal interpretation of Matthew 23:9.  If Jesus really meant it literally, that would mean that we could not have spiritual "fathers".  But, frequently throughout the NT, we see references to spiritual fatherhood.

I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds. ~ Philemon 1:10

To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. ~ Titus 1:4

For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. ~ 1 Corinthians 4:17

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ~ 2 Timothy 2:1

Paul was a spiritual father to many.  Although we may not recognize it, we all have many spriritual fathers in our own lives.  They are those who have led us to Christ.  The priests are our especial fathers because they lead us to Christ in the most intimate and phenomenal way: they give us Christ in the Eucharist.  That is why we call the priests "father".  Not because they take the place of our Heavenly Father, but because they lead us to Him. 

Pax Christi,
~the Catholic apologist