Romans 12:3-8. Condescend to men of low estate.—Probably, on the whole, rightly translated in our version; “Let yourselves be carried on in the stream with those who are beneath yourselves in rank and station; mix with them freely; be ready to lend them a helping hand if ever they need, and do this in a simple and kindly way; do not let any social assumptions keep you at a distance.” “Accommodate yourselves,” or “condescend”—of course without any conscious idea or appearance of condescension. This admonition was implied in Romans 11:25, being there a reflection of the sternest warnings against this vice earlier in that chapter, and here it is stated imperatively, having its immediate application to that form of conceit which allows petty little human arrangements of a "pecking order" among the sacred fellowship of the redeemed as the basis upon which some associations are cultivated, and others neglected. Be of the same mind one towards another; mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. The precise meaning of the latter clause, however, is a matter of much doubt. 6 In all your ways kacknowledge him, These words, be ye of the same mind one towards another, are an exhortation to unity among Christians. Not setting the mind on such things means not being influenced by them and not allowing them to be the basis of one's attitude toward his brothers in Christ. Feelings of superiority are neither realistic nor appropriate for those who owe all to God"s grace. people free from the Mind of Christ. The first part of this verse means "Have equal regard for one another" (NEB). Bibliographical InformationBarnes, Albert. In this chapter it also occurs in verse3. He often spoke of it as his favorite verse and attributed many of the greatest blessings of his remarkable life to an observance of its teaching. He sees his errors, and learns from them. Let us beware lest we have but exchanged the honest “competition” of the marketplace for a “consecrated selfishness” baptized with the name of Christ! Romans 12:16. The scholar will observe that in this way of taking the passage, the Greek word for “condescend” (sunapagomenoi) has to be a little forced, or at least is not so expressive and natural as in the other. The command is, that we should be united; feeling towards others as we would have them feel towards us. III. Take heed of ambitious aspirings: remember what David said (one every way above you) in Psalms 131:1. But it is not to be understood of speculative opinion. But how far does the Apostolic precept carry us? Romans 12:16. τοῖς ταπεινοῖς, to lowly things [Engl. . But how far does the Apostolic precept carry us?—Is there no limit to the preference for lowly things? Great--. The divisive power of selfish ambition. V. “to men of low estate”]) Neuter, for the phrase high things precedes.— συναπαγόμενοι, being [suffering yourselves to be] carried along with) the verb has the force of the middle voice, by which voluntary συγκατάβασις, condescension, is denoted. There are between those who constitute a Church real, substantial, heaven-ordained differences, of mental calibre, circumstances of birth and education, physical development, vocation, qualification, tastes, pursuits. to associate with them, and share their condition. Similar, but not equivalent, is ἐν ἑαυτ., Romans 11:25. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. ‘Love does not thrust itself into prominence, is not puffed up’ (1 Corinthians 13:4). Condescend - συναπαγομενοι sunapagomenoiLiterally, “being led away by, or being conducted by.” It does not properly mean to condescend, but denotes a yielding, or being guided and led in the thoughts, feelings, plans, by humble objects. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God,” etc. He knew of One Who had stooped from an infinite height, and, in the presence of that self-chosen humiliation of the Divine, all human condescension vanished. 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. (e) Thankful-nest. He puts before us as objects of thought and endeavour all that is highest and noblest in the world. (seven times) is only found in the masculine, and so some would render it here: condescend to men of low estate; let yourself be carried along in the line of their interests, not counting such people beneath you. The Christian Servant Romans 12. This may be taken as a general warning against ambition, or ‘high things’ may refer to the distinctions which arise among Christians, whether social or official, and which are so naturally sought after. ‘Do not set your mind on high (exalted) things, but condescend to (allow yourself to be carried along by, give yourself to) things that are lowly.’ Ambition to fulfil ourselves through the guidance of the Spirit is good, but in the church it should never have the aim of achieving high position or of being honoured. In your own conceits; do not have such an opinion of your own wisdom as to exalt yourself or despise others, or prevent your feeling your dependence, and obligation for all which you possess, to the grace of God. and compare Zosimus, Hist. II. The Apostle, then, meant us to take the saying in a limited sense. Arrogancy, Be not wise in your own conceits. The thing forbidden is ambition; the thing enjoined is lowliness of mind. The idea, then, fully expressed is, “set not your mind on lofty things, but be borne away ( ἀπό ) from these by the current of your Christian sympathy along with ( σύν ) things which are humble.”. A final term deserving attention is "wise" (phronimos). To men of low estate - In the Greek text, the word here is an adjective ταπεινοις tapeinois, and may refer either to "people" or to "things," either in the masculine or neuter gender. The meaning is, do not trust in the conceit of your own superior skill and understanding, and refuse to hearken to the counsel of others. 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. Lord, save us from the inflations of pride, vanity and egotism. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Romans 2:12–16 » View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) If you make a mistake in a matter of fact, the Law may excuse the results of your act. Mind not high things - Greek, Not thinking of high things. But if you’ve mistaken the law, it’s no use. The neuter occurs in the previous clause, but the adjective is masculine in all other instances in the New Testament, and the next clause favors the reference to persons. Do not be wise-minded in your own conceits.’, These three injunctions place great emphasis on how we ‘think in our minds’. Condescending to the humble, in the spirit of charity and sweetness. Romans 12:6, cited by Tholuck, καὶ αὐτὴ ἡ σπάρτη συναπήγετο τῇ κοινῇ τῆς ἑλλάδος ἁλώσει. I. Be not wise in your own conceits.—Comp. Romans 11:20; 1 Timothy 6:7. τοῖς ταπεινοῖς] is neuter (Fritzsche, Reiche, Köllner, Glöckler, de Wette, Baumgarten-Crusius, Borger, Reithmayr, Philippi, Maier, Bisping, following Beza and Calvin): being drawn onward by the lowly; i.e. Romans 3:19 Commentary. Do not set your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. See Luke ii. 1870.return to 'Jump List'. Another rendering would be “condescend to lowly things,” in which case the sense would be nearly equivalent to that of Keble’s well-known and beautiful lines—. Think the same thing, i.e. … Literally, "being led away by, or being conducted by." The phrase ( τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν) used by the apostle expresses the general idea of concord, unanimity; whether of opinion or feeling depends on the context; see 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 2:2; Romans 15:5. In the mind of the man who used it, we cannot doubt to what it pointed. These participles are also to be understood imperatively by supplying ἔσεσθε (comp. Surely to His example, Who for our sakes took up with the things that were lowly; Who deliberately declined what the world covets and admires, and cast in His lot with the needy, the nameless, and the homeless. I consider myself to be a slave of *Christ Jesus. It may be from wrong principles (Matthew 6:1-34. 1. for a decent outside is often necessary to enable them to secure the ends of their ambition. Are we to draw from the text a warning against all high aims in the work of life; does the Gospel condemn ambition in every form? 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. As an act of intelligent worship, decide to yield your entire self to Him ( present your bodies a living sacrifice ). As it is through the body that all the evil that is in the unrenewed heart comes forth into palpable manifestation and action, so it is through the body that all … condescend = literally be carried away with. 3 Rev. Be not wise in your own conceits. Compare. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The ESV translates the first part of Romans 12:2 this way: “Do not be conformed to this world.” Simple, clear, and concise. See Romans 11:25, and compare Acts 26:8, “incredible with you,” i.e., in your judgment. Thus the Christian holds intercourse, sympathetically and effectively, in the lower circles, with the poor, sick, persecuted, etc. The development within congregations of small coteries of the allegedly elite, the formation of inner circles of preference, the stratification of churches along social, economic, or other lines of demarcation these and all similar separations are evil. The import of this prohibition. B. 4. ‘Set not your minds on high things, but be swept away, or carried along by, things that are lowly.’ The word used signifies an irresistible pressure or fascination. : εἰς τὴς ἐκείνων εὐτέλειαν κατάβηθι, συμπεριφέρου, μὴ ἁπλῶς τῷ φρονήματι συνταπεινοῦ, ἀλλὰ καὶ βοήθει καὶ χεῖρα ὀρέγου κ. τ. λ.; similarly Erasmus, Luther, Estius, and others; Grotius (comp. (b) Faith. Be of the same mind one toward another. 8. They will not trample on all conventionalities, or despise providential and social distinctions, but they will overcome them, so as to know each other, and bless each other as brethren in Christ. ), Knowing how anxious the troops in Cabul would look for their letters, Captain (afterwards Sir Henry) Lawrence and his wife--because the Government could not afford a post-clerk!--would sit up half the night sorting them, after the multiform duties of revenue collector, engineer, commissariat officer, and paymaster, had been discharged. On the contrary, Christianity, the religion of humility, sets our minds on the very highest things that can kindle the ambition of human hearts. Be not wise in your own conceits. instead of being concerned about high things, let lowly things occupy and control you. Introduction 1:1-17. 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). According to the original sense, the meaning will be, being led away with lowly things or people; i.e. So Calvin: "Non arroganter de vobis sentientes sed humilibus vos accommodantes. τὸ αὐτὸ εἰς ἀλλ. Mind not high things; that is, mind not preferment, nor riches, nor vain-glory, but be content with and thankful for a middle state and condition in the world; which is far more eligible and desirable than a state of riches, plenty, and abundance, as being less liable to temptations. But condescend to (be carried along by) men of low estate, or ‘lowly things.’ It is difficult to decide whether the last phrase is masculine or neuter, the same form being used for both genders. influenced by them, as in Galatians 2:13, "In so much that Barnabas also was (allowed himself to be) carried away with their dissimulation." [ a] Do not be conceited. We must not only do that which is … 16.Same mind—Same spirit or common feeling. Meyer, who maintains the neuter, explains: “The lowly things ought to have for the Christian a force of attraction, in virtue of which he yields himself to fellowship with them, and allows himself to be guided by them in the determination of his conduct. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. 5. actuated by a common and well-understood feeling of mutual allowance and kindness. The Christian Brother Romans 14:1-15:13. How common is the error “Save yourself” as a religious duty. Happy we! be ye of the same mind one towards another. 7. I. 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). The nobler life of man is thereby prevented. φρόνιμοι παρʼ ἑαυτ.] III. be united in feeling, interests, and object, let there be no discord or disagreement. (d) Trust. Ведь главная добродетель верных – это умеренность, или покорность, скорее предпочитающая воздать честь другим, нежели присвоить ее себе. do not aspire after them, do not desire and seek them; see the use of the Greek word here employed in Romans 8:5; Colossians 3:2, ( τὰ ἄνω φρονεῖτε), But condescend to men of low estate. 1870.return to 'Jump List', To men of low estate - In the Greek text, the word here is an adjective ταπεινοις tapeinoisand may refer either to “people” or to “things,” either in the masculine or neuter gender. It is to them the believer ought to feel most drawn. The first part of this verse deals with the idea that we are better than other Christians. False or man-pleasing professors would endeavor to escape all this disgrace and danger by getting into the favor of the great, the worldly, and the irreligious. Instead of being carried away with admiration of the rich and powerful, Paul said, "Be carried away (this the exact meaning in Greek, see margin) with the lowly.". 16. (Witham). Be of the same mind one towards another; mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. "Don"t be a satellite orbiting around the great ones in the limelight." Do not be conceited. — De Brais. 2. The insertion of the seemingly incongruous μὴ γίνεσθε … ἑαυτοῖς is sufficiently accounted for by reference to ch. Evidently, neither in Church nor State did God intend men to be upon a dead level. Certainty on such points must always be personal rather than scientific; the first of the two alternatives impresses me as much more in harmony with the nature of the words used than the other. Note--. 1. Compare Galatians 2:13, and see on 2 Peter 3:17, in which passages it has a bad sense from the context. Romans 12:16, NASB: "Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. ‘Mind’ here includes the feelings as well as the thoughts, III. Assuredly not. Romans 3:27-28 Commentary. "Commentary on Romans 12:16". II. Do not be wise in your own estimation. He proceeds to develop it, and to point out its manifold applications. Godet observed that this verse is commonly understood as a reference to good feeling among members of the church, a meaning which he rejected as being contrary to all sound exegesis, saying: This verse is a prohibition of partiality and respect of persons within communities of Christians. (J. Lyth, D.D.). A cause of serious evil both in the Church and the world. “Thinking the same thing toward one another,” which only obtains when we all alike have the mind of Christ, carnality having been exterminated by the cleansing blood and the refining fire.” Thinking not high things, but condescending to the humble.” The safe place is down on the bottom, from which there is no falling. Romans 3:14-16 Commentary. Сюда же относится и то, что добавляется после. Romans 12:16. : here the Apostle returns to his own grammar (or disregard of grammar), and holds to it till Romans 12:19, when he changes to the imperative ( ) with which he concludes (Romans 12:21 , ). Romans 5:16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. The injunction is not that Christians agree in the one creed, or be like-minded in relation to some third object, II. 1. The latter view accords with the common rendering of the next clause. 3. 2. Proverbs 3:7; Bernhardy, p. 256 f. One must not fall into that conceited self-sufficiency of moral perception, whereby brotherly respect for the perception of others would be excluded. 1:17). My thoughts and feelings towards a man should be according to the truth. being drawn into sympathy with them. The tendency of religion is to produce a low estimate of our own importance and attainments. A fuller understanding of this verse comes through studying some of the key terms. Be not then wise in your own conceits. — This precept refers rather to unanimity, cordiality, and harmony in transacting all the business of the Church, than to oneness of mind as to the truth. They describe an attitude of mind permanently taken up. The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. Determination of theological controversies. I. 1:22). Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. 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.Be not wise … - Compare Isaiah 5:21, “Wo unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight.” See the note at Romans 11:25. Seeking them, or not for all things ( 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ) being. To secure the ends of Christ who was ‘ meek and lowly in heart ’ romans 12:16 commentary Matthew 11:29 ) to. 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