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Romans: Be of the Same Mind

Picking up where we left off last month, Paul has some additional seven words of advice for the Roman believers, and by extension, for us as well.

Romans 12:16-18:

“Be of the same mind one toward another.”
“Mind not high things,”
“but condescend to men of low estate.”
“Be not wise in your own conceits.”
“Recompense to no man evil for evil.”
“Provide things honest in the sight of all man.”
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

Verse 16 Notes: “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

1) “Be of the same mind”: (Strong’s G5426) (highlighted added): phroneo: “to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication to be (mentally) disposed . . . earnestly in a certain direction; intensively to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience) :- set the affection on, (be) care -(ful), be like-, + be of one, . . . be of the same” mind or regard (In this case, Paul is expressing a need for us to have the same mind towards each other.).

This is an expressed admonition to be in unity within the Body of Christ. This is not a request to agree with the lost or in any way to be in agreement with the world, but with other believers.

There are several areas one could consider for application of this admonition:

1. Conducting business within the church, expenditures.
2. Short- and long-term visions for the church.
3. Various opinions regarding subjects like finance, health, gardening, and politics.
4. Child rearing and training.
5. Understanding of God’s Word and the truth. Discerning the difference between an interpretation and an application.
6. How to interact and support one another as fellow believers.

Philippians 2:1-8 (bold added):

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

2) “Mind not high things”: in regards to like-mindedness, Christ is our example. However, Paul elaborates in his letter to the Philippians a few additional insights as to how to be like-minded:

- 1. Start by staying in right fellowship with the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit.

- 2. Then take on a humble mind. Put on, as it were, the cloak of humility. Recognize the value of others and esteem them more valuable than yourself.

- 3. Accept the position of a servant. I recently heard a story of a pastor in China who became a Christian when he was arresting various people who refused to submit to the communist party. He went into a certain village to find and arrest the leadership for not joining the party. Along the road near the village, he met a man hauling a wheelbarrow of manure and asked him to point out the village leader. “I am the leader.” When he refused to believe him, the man explained that this was a Christian village where leadership means to serve and, so as the leader, he strives to serve those in need. After listening and attending a few of their meetings, he was saved. He served twenty-two years in prison, watched his wife and children all executed because he would not recant Christ, and was eventually released. He, thus, served Christ until his death a few years back.

- 4. Any business to conduct is not to be with strife or vainglory. That is, decisions are not to cause division, or exalt one person or group over another. Decisions ought to be prayed about and made with unity in mind with the good of the fellowship of believers at the forefront.

- 5. This is best accomplished when we esteem others better than ourselves. In other words, we value the needs of others over our own first.

- 6. This is additionally accomplished as we value the needs and things of others as more important than our needs and wants.

Our example is Christ. Although equal with God, although He commanded the army of angels, although He had infinite glory and power and deserved our worship and praise, He lowered (humbled) Himself below all that. He set it aside and became as one of His creatures that He created, a man, even lower than just a man, but a servant (not accepting for Himself as yet the mantle of King), subjected Himself to temptation, yet remained sinless while in a mortal body, and ultimately submitted Himself to the cross to suffer for our sins, not His own.

“Mind not high things.” Greek (Strong’s G5426) implies a thinking process. Don’t dwell in your thoughts on high things. The Greek word is the same word used in the Septuagint all throughout the Old Testament of high places of false worship. Indeed, God through prophets commanded His people to reject and destroy high things and high places. Anything that is more important to you than God can definitely become a high thing. The love of money, fancy cars, elaborate houses, the latest fashions, the coolest technology, etc.

2 Corinthians 10:5: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

3) “But condescend to men of low estate”: Strong’s G4879: sunapago: sympathize with humble men, men of lessor means. Do not neglect to fellowship with those who don’t have your position, resources, blessings, perhaps fame. Where possible, go along with those who are in more humbling circumstances in life and, again, take on the attitude of a servant.

4) “Be not wise in your own conceits“: “do not find wisdom from your own heart and mind.” Darby’s Translation: “be not wise in your own eyes.” This is an attitude adjustment, not a statement of be stupid or be dumbed down. Godly wisdom comes from above and worldly wisdom is, at best, temporal and, at worse, destructive. So, seek the wisdom of many counselors as well as the Holy Spirit’s direction. Don’t assume you know best.

Verse 17 Notes: “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

5) “Recompense to no man evil for evil.” There is a tendency in all of us to want revenge or, at least, justice when we are wronged. Matthew 18:7: “Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!“

Having evil aimed at you can be viewed as a test or trial that God has allowed. 1 Corinthians 10:13: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

False accusations can really hurt.

1 Peter 3:13-17 (bold added): “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asked you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accused your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”

There are some thirty plus verses in the Bible, mostly Old Testament, where God expresses that vengeance is His and that He will repay or hand out a recompense. That is not our job.

Matthew 5:39-42 (bold added): “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.“

Philippians 1:9-11 (bold added): “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more and in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

6) “Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” The Greek (Strong’s G4306) here has a focus on future planning. Let your thinking and planning for providing for the needs of others be with a focus on good things, virtuous things, valued things, etc. Don’t try and sluff off junk as valuable. Likewise, when meeting a need, don’t provide junk or inferior material to others.

Providing rightly before all men, in the presence of all men, in the sight of all men. This implies that others are watching your life and what kind of witness will you be leaving behind if you slight, cheat, or provide inferior solutions when asked for help or aid.

The word honest (Strong’s G2570) means beautiful, good, excellent, virtuous, worthy. These are the standards you must pursue when you seek to provide aid to others or conduct business for yourself, your jobs, or the church.

This is not a license to be extravagant – or overboard especially when using other’s money.

Verse 18 Notes: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

7) “Live peaceably with all men.” This applies to believers as well as the lost. I will note a couple of things that Paul has included as part of this encouragement: believers are constantly to aim at this goal:

- 1. “If it be possible.” It may not be possible if another is on the attack, or refuses to make peace, or attempts to commit evil towards you. Paul recognizes that not all men will want to live peaceably with you and will hate you without a real cause. More and more hate crimes against Christians are occurring, are not being prosecuted, even encouraged, and often by people they don’t even know!

- 2. “As much as lieth in you”: guard against giving occasion to any just subject of complaint against you. But do so without sacrificing duty, for when a man’s ways please the Lord, God makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

- 3. A Christian must be willing to be unpopular that he may be useful and faithful. To whatever obloquy or opposition it may expose us, we ought earnestly to contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. But we are not to be purposefully contentious, brash, angry, augmentative, etc.

- 4. Although we are never to seek to maintain peace, either with the world or with other Christians, by the sacrifice of any part of divine truth, our speech and interactions ought to be as follows: Colossians 4:5-6: “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

- 5. “Live peaceably with all men”: This, of course, includes fellow believers but also the lost if they will let you. Those who hate Christians because of the truth we stand for may not let us live peaceably with them. But lets not be the aggravator; again, if possible.

I really can’t summarize any better than what Paul has penned under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. So, in closing:

“Be of the same mind one toward another.”
“Mind not high things,”
“but condescend to men of low estate.”
“Be not wise in your own conceits.”
“Recompense to no man evil for evil.”
“Provide things honest in the sight of all man.”
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

May God Bless you!

Maranatha!

Bro. Joe

References

Strong, J. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1890)

Darby, J. N. (1890). Darby’s Translation. Public Domain.

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