Matthew
King James Version (KJV)

“And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.”
King James Version (KJV)
And call no man your father vpon the earth: for one is your father which is in heauen.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
"Do not call {anyone} on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
And call no man your father on the earth: for one is your Father, `even' he who is in heaven.
- American Standard Version (1901)
And give no man the name of father on earth: because one is your Father, who is in heaven.
- Basic English Bible
And call not [any one] your father upon the earth; for one is your Father, he who is in the heavens.
- Darby Bible
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father who is in heaven.
- Webster's Bible
And call no one on earth your Father, for One alone is your Father--the Heavenly Father.
- Weymouth Bible
Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven.
- World English Bible
And nyle ye clepe to you a fadir on erthe, for oon is your fadir, that is in heuenes.
- Wycliffe Bible
and ye may not call [any] your father on the earth, for one is your Father, who is in the heavens,
- Youngs Literal Bible
23:8-10 The Jewish rabbis were also called father and master, by their several disciples, whom they required, To believe implicitly what they affirmed, without asking any farther reason; To obey implicitly what they enjoined, without seeking farther authority. Our Lord, therefore, by forbidding us either to give or receive the title of rabbi, master, or father, forbids us either to receive any such reverence, or to pay any such to any but God.
23:11 #Mt 20:26|.
Mt 23:9 Call no [man] your father upon earth. Another honorary title. The scribes delighted to be called "Abba", "father". So the priests of the Roman Catholic Church. So do all who welcome such honorary titles as Rev., Right Rev., Lord Bishop, etc. These are all forbidden. No apostle was ever so called.
Referring to spiritual father not carnal.
When Jesus spoke about this matter, it seemed that the Jewish leaders/teachers used that title, supposing that "the teacher formed the man" therefore giving them that right or authority. However, the Source of all life & Truth is from God & is God, so there can be no man that deserves such an honour. Yet as you correctly say, that Jesus' warning is not directed to our natural fathers, who can be called such because of our biological relationship to them.
There is one Lord God and Jesus acknowledged that yet RCC and many others can not comprehend this . Jesus is born of God comes from God , Son of God and Mary . But not the LORD GOD . No man can claim this as you said and neither did Jesus .
Of Jesus in the OT is written: Isaiah 9:6, Psalm 45:6,7 (cf Hebrews 1:8), Psalm 110:1, Daniel 7:13,14.
In the NT: John 1:1-14, Philippians 2:5-8, Titus 2:13 (cf John 20:28), 1 John 5:20 & many more.
So I don't believe it was the RCC or the Nicene Council that introduced the understanding of the Godhead, but what we see & learn from the Scriptures. But to say that Jesus is presently the Almighty God, without the presence of the Father in Heaven is wrong, as other Scriptures attest to it. The apostles & early Church believed in the deity of Christ & so we take it from there & hold onto it, even though our human understanding is limited & weak to understand the personality of God & His revelation to us.
Jesus was born of God and there fore his Son and RCC never had the spiritual understanding.
It is so strange that this is blatantly expressed in the Bible yet certain churches just outright IGNORE this command.
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