The sentiment is not materially changed whichever interpretation is adopted. Here, in the text, is one of those precepts which, rightly understood, is one of the most practical we can set ourselves to master (in the formation of Christian character). In this context it condemns those who are full of spiritual pride. Man often exalts what God condemns. What numbers have the mean of 10 and the range of 12? Compare James 2:1-4. 16.Same mind—Same spirit or common feeling. These three exhortations are linked together by a verbal resemblance which can scarcely be preserved in translation. 16Be of the same mind one toward another. Instead of thinking of how great we are or could be, our attention is to be fixed on the "lowly" (others). Margin, “Be contented with mean things.”. Cf. We view each other with the same level of importance and we are dependent upon the other members in the body. It needs to be the right one, and it needs to be continual; condescend is a present tense verb. Faith needs an adequate basis to rest on, and Romans 10:9-10 does not make reference to Christ dying for anyone’s sins. However, the most appropriate remedy for curing arrogance is, that man should not be over-wise in his own esteem. What I mean is this. tapeinoisand may refer either to “people” or to “things,” either in the masculine or neuter gender. Matthew 24:24. τὸ ἐξ ὑμῶν: for what depends on you. I. Have the same concern for all alike. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. We must not be out of harmony with the body (think of the human body and what it would be like if one leg wanted to go north and the other leg wanted to go south or if one eye wanted to look to the left and the other to the right. (Read Romans 12:9-16) The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. At the very least, Paul derived this from the example of Christ, who submitted to wicked and corrupt officials and authorities. “And cleave to the humble,” is the Syriac version. The injunction is not that Christians agree in the one creed, or be like-minded in relation to some third object, II. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. 14  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Karl Giberson, who once professed belief but is now a liberal critic,4 rejects the doctrine of original sin as a consequence of his belief in evolution.5 In his book Saving the Original Sinner, he argues that Christians should also reject this doctrine: Because of his evolutionary view of humanity, Giberson has to redefine the meaning of sin. be ye of the same mind one towards another. Depending on Divine grace, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and useful. 17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Romans 12:16, ESV: "Live in harmony with one another.Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. The same reference teaches us that the word ‘mind’ expresses the prevailing thoughts, and the strongest desires and affections, IV. If Christians do not live by these instructions, they will be wise in their own estimation; and, therefore, displeasing to God. Yet he who searches the hearts knows what the meaning of the spirit is, because it is pleading in accord with God for holy ones.” — Romans 8:23-27. Romans 12:16 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Romans 12:16, NIV: "Live in harmony with one another.Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Conceits—Thereby becoming opinionated and contentious. Use this reference information to gain deeper insight into the Bible and enrich your understanding. A precept is fitly added to the preceding; for nothing tends more to break that unity which has been mentioned, than when we elevate ourselves, and aspire to something higher, so that we may rise to a higher situation. ), Thoughtful, i.e., sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while, Properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local (especially beyond or opposed to) or causal (on account of), (him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc. Use the buttons below to get details on the Greek word and view related Bible verses that use the same root word. I take the term humble in the neuter gender, to complete the antithesis. The Apostle employs words in Greek more significant, and more suitable to the antithesis, “Not thinking,” he says, “of high things:” by which he means, that it is not the part of a Christian ambitiously to aspire to those things by which he may excel others, nor to assume a lofty appearance, but on the contrary to exercise humility and meekness: for by these we excel before the Lord, and not by pride and contempt of the brethren. Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Greek Scripture. A fuller understanding of this verse comes through studying some of the key terms. Guiding Principles for the Christian Life – Romans 12:9-21. Read Romans 12 online (ESV) Live in harmony with one another. When spiritual pride exists, "the unity of the church" will usually be endangered "by the arrogance of individuals or of whole groups" (both quotes from Brown, ). The Transformed Life (Romans 12-16) Swimming Upstream Romans 12:2 – July 5, 2019. “Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin” (Romans 3:9). Follow either of the two large buttons below to see these verses in their broader context of the King James Bible or a Bible concordance. I believe that based on this context, we should interpret Romans 2:12-16 more as providing reason for LACK of assurance, rather than reason for assurance. As in many of his other epistles, Paul begins Romans with teaching on doctrine and ends with teaching on how we should live because of what is true. “Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin” (Romans 3:9). The two following clauses are thus given by [Doddridge ], “Affect not high things, but condescend to men of low rank,” — and by [Macknight ], “Do not care for high things; but associate with lowly men.” The word ταπεινοῖς, is not found in the New Testament to be applied to things, but to persons. 16  Be of the same mind one toward another. When He tells you to put it, put it down. We should live at peace with one another and conduct our lives aiming for what is noble, honest and proper. “Associate” is perhaps the best rendering of συναπαγόμενοι, which literally means to withdraw from one party in order to walk with another: they were to withdraw from those who minded high things, and walk or associate with the humble and lowly. 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Literally: Not the lofty things, thinking, but to the humble things, condescending. God knows His people will be led with one group or another. Not necessarily. No species of pride is more insidious or more injurious than the pride of intellect, or a fancied superiority to those around us, which leads to a contempt of their opinions, and a confident reliance upon ourselves. While this term is often used in a very positive sense ( Matthew 7:24; Matthew 25:2), here it has the sense of arrogance (compare Romans 11:25 where this term again occurs and has this same meaning). Be not wise in your own conceits. [ … Treat your fellow Christian as you would want him to treat you. (Q) 1.What does Romans 2:12-16 mean? These verses point us away from self and towards other members of the church. Romans 12:16 humility community dependence contentment pride. A further illustration of the spiritual pride is found in "high things" (hupselos). “For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law.”“For” shows that Paul is explaining verse 11, “For there is no partiality with God.” Verse 12 means that God will judge each person according to the light that he was given. we are of the same mind one towards another. Paul describes this in his letter to the Romans: Be of the same mind is from a single word (phroneo); this is a present tense verb and it occurs twice in this verse. Here, in the text, is one of those precepts which, rightly understood, is one of the most practical we can set ourselves to master, II. Here then is condemned all ambition and that elation of mind which insinuates itself under the name of magnanimity; for the chief virtue of the faithful is moderation, or rather lowliness of mind, which ever prefers to give honor to others, rather than to take it away from them. This is a simplified translation of the original Greek word. If you don’t, you have just chosen your sick flesh and it will manipulate and pervert everything God is trying to do in your life. “Be of the same mind one toward another. Be not wise in your own conceits. It is possible to share in the joys and sorrows of others because we are of "the same mind." They should do it because their Master did it before them; because his friends are most commonly found among those in humble life; because Christianity prompts to benevolence rather than to a fondness for pride and display; and because of the influence on the mind produced by an attempt to imitate the great, to seek the society of the rich, and to mingle with the scenes of gaiety, folly, and ambition. This is why 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 should be used instead of Romans 10:9-10. This pattern of theory, followed by application, is a hallmark of his writing. Haldane's Exposition on the Epistle to the Romans and Hebrews, John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament, Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary, Heinrich Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament, Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture, Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament, William Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament, Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Hodge's Commentary on Romans, Ephesians and First Corintians, Living By Faith: Commentary on Romans & 1st Corinthians. Be not wise in your own conceits. See Romans 2:12-16. Romans 12:16-19. “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He was raised again the third day.” God wants His people to focus on what is "lowly" (tapeinos); the KJV says "of low estate." "Have equal regard for one another" (NEB). I. Treat your fellow Christian as you would want him to treat you. Romans 1:15. But another construction has been given, “Think the same of one another,” that is, Regard one another alike in dignity and privilege as Christians, without elevating yourselves, and viewing yourselves better than others. It is evident that limits must be set to the meaning of the injunction before us, much narrower than what the grammatical sense would demand if we take the version in our translation. Everyone under the Law and not under the law has sinned. It means that Christians should seek the objects of interest and companionship, not among the great, the rich, and the noble, but among the humble and the obscure. 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