Living in Harmony (Romans 12:16)

“Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.” (Romans 12:16, NASB95)

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” (Romans 12:16, ESV)

Between the New American Standard Bible, the King James (Authorized Version), New King James, English Standard Version, and the New International Version we find the beginning of verse 16 translated in one of two ways. It is either, “Be of the same mind” or “Live in harmony.” The key to each of these translations being correct and saying the same thing or being in harmony (not contradiction) with each other is that the Greek words used have the meaning of a multiple of people thinking as one. This is the meaning of harmony—being of the same mind.

And in order to do this we have to regard each other as important and not allowing ourselves or anyone else to indulge in a puffed up mentality. Sure, there may be individuals in the group who have studied more, or who may have a greater understanding or interest in a particular topic, but there should be great caution given to not having a ‘preferred’ group and those who ‘don’t know anything.’ The injunction is that we are not to consider in our thoughts or act in our actions as if we are any better because we know more of anything, even knowing more of God’s Word.

In 1 Corinthians there was an issue of some believers not eating the meat that was sold in the markets because it was associated with the meat being offered up in the temples for the worship of other gods. But for others it was not an issue. From this there arose dissension or divided minds. Some knew that these false deities did not exist and therefore had no hold on the market meat, but others struggled still under the misunderstanding or emotional ties to what they once participated in. Paul wrote to them in 1 Corinthians 8:

"(1) Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. (2) If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; (3) but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. (4) Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. (5) For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, (6) yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. (7) However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. (8) But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. (9) But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. (10) For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? (11) For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. (12) And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. (13) Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.” (1 Corinthians 8, NASB95)

The Corinthians believers could have pushed their accurate knowledge of God and the non-existence of false gods and walked over the believers who struggled with eating that same meat, but it would not have been the most loving thing to do. Paul told them in this case that it is really no skin off their nose whether they ate the meat or not, so why make a big deal of it and hurt your brothers in Christ. He told them to not let their knowledge get in the way of their love. This did not mean setting aside truth, but it did mean walking compassionately with people who were growing in truth and preserving the oneness that they had in Christ.

There is so much as Christians that we can bicker over that really doesn’t matter and in so doing increase division and hurt. A few chapters after this discussion of temple meat Paul wrote, “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4–7, NASB95)

Jesus in His prayer before His disciples in the upper room on the night He was arrested included these words to God the Father, “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” (John 17:22–23, NASB95)

Oneness is a big deal to God. We know that our God is One as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and through salvation in Christ we have been made to know oneness with each other. As such we are called to be of the same mind as Christ, and in so doing be like minded, living in harmony with each other.

“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:1–11, NASB95)

“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind [live in harmony] with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.” (Romans 15:5–7, NASB95)

Being There with Others (Romans 12:15)

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15, NASB95)

This verse is pretty straight forward, or so we would think. But amazingly enough there are times when we might have trouble with either of these. Rejoicing with those who rejoice is sometimes hard to do when we are weighed down by something or maybe when the thing that has led to their rejoicing is something in which you are having difficulty finding joy. And weeping with someone who is weeping is very difficult unless you can also share in hope.

Rejoicing with someone means entering into joy with them over something, and there are times when we have difficulty doing so. There are times when our hearts are heavy and we want to withdraw in order to not impact the joy of the other. It may very well be because we are in a time of weeping or mourning (grieving) and rather than rejoicing with another we might need someone who would compassionately weep with us.

But it may also be that we are having a joy problem with God and we need to get our hearts and minds back on track. James tells us to consider it all joy when we encounter various trials…. (James 1:2-4). This does not mean that our response of joy is automatic, but is one that we actively grab onto by turning our eyes on God and knowing His constancy, faithfulness, goodness, and love. It is found in trusting Him and grasping tightly the hope that we have in Him.

It may even be because they have been blessed in some tangible way and we are sorrowful that we aren’t and maybe even are struggling in that same area. This can actually serve to turn our hearts against the individual rather than toward them. But we probably all know that God loves each of us, our needs, and what He intends for each of us to accomplish His good purposes and our good. God does not do exactly the same for all of us, and admitting this to God and thanking Him for His faithfulness is a good start in our entering into the joy of others.

And there are times when the thing in which the other person is finding joy is not something which is in line with God’s word and expressed desire. In our culture we are being told to find joy in the freedom that each person has to find themselves whatever that might be. But the paths they choose are not ones that lead to salvation or are right for those who are saved in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 13:6 we read, “[Love] does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;” (1 Corinthians 13:6, NASB95)

Real joy is found in truth, and being willing and able to join into God’s truth with others is truly a cause for rejoicing even in the darkest of times. But the verse goes on to say, “weep with those who weep.” This year we have seen a great deal of hurt around us with the passing of numerous loved ones and other changes to people’s lives. We are so relationship oriented that when we are separated from someone we love it hurts and we mourn. But when the person who died is a believer in Christ, we know that their physical death has gained them entrance into the eternal presence of God. In this we still grieve, but we can do so differently because we have hope with our hurt. It is this hope, even in grieving, in which we are to encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

The heart of this verse is that we are to be there with one another, and we are to be willing to enter with them in their rejoicing and their weeping. This is a two-way street which we are to do with each other realizing that sometimes our joy may be turned to weeping and at other times our weeping turned to joy, but at all times our hope is in our God. It means being attentive to the needs of others and sensitive to respond as God enables us.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3–7, NASB95)

Respond with Blessing (Romans 12:14)

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Romans 12:14, NASB95)

In Romans 12:13 we were encouraged to ‘practice hospitality’ (NAS) or in the English Standard to ‘seek to show hospitality.’ This same Greek word translated ‘practice’ or seek’ is also used in our verse for today. Here it is the word ‘persecute.’ The Greek word diōkō is used in both places and it has the meaning of following after or pursuing with zeal. In one case (verse 13) we are to be people given to following after or pursuing hospitality in our relations with others. We are to wholeheartedly pursue treating people warmly. In verse 14 we are instructed how to respond when people do not treat us in that same manner, maybe even with hot tempers or harsh actions.

The instruction in this case is that we bless them, and there is no question about the word bless. Its meaning is pretty consistent. It means to praise, celebrate with praises, invoke a blessing, ask God’s blessing, pray God’s blessing, cause to prosper, or otherwise to be favored—blessed. When people respond to us in an unloving and maybe even aggressive manner, our response is not to return their same kind of action in a kind of tit for tat way or to even wish evil on them, but to return their unloving actions with the love of God.

Jesus Himself set this for us as an example. In 1 Peter 2:23 we read, “and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.” (NASB95) Jesus had the authority and power as God to take action Himself, but as man He chose to entrust Himself to God and His hand over Him so that His ultimate purpose for Christ’s coming might come to pass. Jesus knew why he came and He kept His eyes on the Father who would ultimately bring it all to pass, even His righteous judgment leading to some being saved and others not. Paul who wrote this letter to Romans was one of those who persecuted or pursued after Christians, and in so doing even Christ Himself, and we know what God did with Him in the end.

The account of Paul’s salvation is told in Acts chapter 9, and in Acts 22 we have a record of Paul retelling it in the form of a testimony of the transformation God worked in him. “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished. But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’” (Acts 22:4–8, NASB95)

Paul knew the incredible transforming power of the gospel to change those who were once persecutors of Christians into followers of Christ. And in knowing this, he instructs us to be careful how we respond not only to one another but to all people. And even in doing this we have a corporate responsibility to encourage and to help each other to do likewise. “We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14–15, NASB95) In this passage we not only have the ‘one another’ referring to other believers, but we also have ‘all people’ referring to (of course) all people, and we are even to help each other in doing so as a part of the whole work of building one another up to maturity.

Verse 14 has another one of those put off and put on contrasts founded in an accurate understanding of who God is and who we are as His children. Just as Christ set an example for us and did not revile in return, but went to the cross that those who persecuted Him might be saved, we likewise are to consider Him in how we respond to others. We are not to return evil for evil, but good instead—praying and acting in such a way in response that we point people to our God and pray His Spirit change their hearts and minds.

“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” … ““He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue [diōkō ] it.” (1 Peter 3:8-9, 11, NASB95)

We will come back to this again in verse 17, but in between we have a couple of other verses to look at.

Working Together as One (Romans 12:13)

“contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” (Romans 12:13, NASB95)

This verse begins with the word “contribute” which immediately causes some to think when they hear it that they are to contribute to the needy saints in some form of financial or other tangible way. Tonight I asked one of my sons about his thoughts, and he responded with it having to do with partnering. And he was totally correct. The word here translated “contribute” (or “sharing” or “distributing” in other translations) means to come into fellowship, partner, participate, or share in an activity. While this may include those for mentioned needs above, it has a much richer and complete meaning, which in this case is the needs of the saints.

The word used is the Greek word koinoneo which comes from the same root that another word, koinonia comes, which is the word commonly used for our fellowship, community, and communion. It has to do with not only us being together but how we are commonly united. In the context of Romans 12:13 we are to come together in active participation in helping one another (the saints) with what is necessary or needed.

In Ephesians 4 we read about the work of people of the church (the one another’s) in building up one another with those things that are necessary such that the whole body is built up together. “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:11–16, NASB95) Here we read about the whole body being fitted and held together by what every individual member contributes as each person does his or her part.

And if we are going to do this thing of coming together and working together to build up and help one another with whatever the need might be (physical, spiritual, functional, or other) then we have to strive to be open, friendly, and welcoming to one another.

Romans 12:13 continues with “practicing hospitality,” which comes from a root word having to do with friendship. In other words we are to come together as committed friends would to work together to build up and help one another as we together function effectively as the body of Christ—the church. And when we do this, then we also will proclaim a loud distinction between ourselves and the world. We read in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35, NASB95)

In contrast this morning I went to get a haircut. While I was waiting a Jehovah’s Witness was sitting in the chair telling the barber how his church had a complete understanding of the Bible among other things. While I wanted to jump right into that conversation, I was not invited and there were others waiting. So, I listened and prayed. As I listened the barber told the person in the chair that all of the churches had problems and that he didn’t need to go to any church to follow God. I listened through the next person in the chair and still had a while to go with others behind me. I realized that I would not get a chance to share about those conversations in an open way, so I excused myself and told him I would be back later in the week. When I go back I will bring something with me for him to read, which he does do, that addresses how all of these roads cannot be correct. I am hoping for an empty shop when I return.

One thing I was struck with was his reasoning for not going to church—the problems. While I know that this is sometimes an excuse to hide something in the individual’s own life, it is also used when people have experienced some hurt at church. And while it may or may not have been intentional, it left a mark on the individual. I hope to talk with him about the ‘why,’ and maybe even talk with him again about having a relationship with God and through that the importance of working together with other people united in Christ who are growing together in the same relationship.

Working together for the long haul happens best when we genuinely care for each other and treat them a warm and friendly manner. The next verse in Romans that we will look at speaks about those times when we encounter the ugly side of people. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Romans 12:14, NASB95)

“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:8–11, NASB95)

Hope Worthy of Rejoicing (Romans 12:12)

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12, ESV)

“It’s as easy as 1,2,3.” This is a response commonly given to someone who hesitates to do something that the other person who makes the response might consider normal, ordinary, or easily accomplished. But oftentimes the person hearing it does not make the ‘easy’ connection and continues his or her resistance.

Robin’s cat’s name is Mikey (for ‘My Kitty’), and when he wants outside he will generally walk in the direction of the door and sit there facing the door, or he will do this until he thinks you haven’t responded quickly enough and then he might do one of a couple of other things to make sure he has our attention. Observing him sitting there I walk over to the door and open it for him to race outside, which he rarely ever does. Instead, he sits there and looks and left to his own he might sit there for a very long time looking. In response to this I count to three (not quickly, but to three), and he knows that he needs to be heading out the door when I get there or I will close the door. When it is cold outside he’ll delay by shaking his paw once or twice or even three times before he makes a move. Many times when he delays too long the door gets shut until he asks again.

There is nothing difficult about walking out the door and doing it in a timely manner, but there are obviously other factors involved which lead to his delay. These factors might include something he sees or smells or even as stated previously the temperature of the air. It may even have to do with whether or not the other cat in the house (with whom he does not get along) is hovering near him. And there are many times that my counting to three simply ends up with me opening the door, standing there for a minute or so (counting slow), and then closing the door. Whatever is out there is not enough for me counting to move him to action.

There are many truths in Scripture that encourage us to persevere or endure during times of trial. Romans 12:12 gives us three of them, ones that are linked to each other. The first of them is to “rejoice in hope.” In James 1:2-3 we read that we are to “consider it all joy when we encounter various trials knowing….” This knowledge, that trials are being used by God to grow and mature us and make us complete such that we are lacking in nothing, is one that is based in trusting our God leading to a hope that will not disappoint. In Philippians 4:4 we read that we are to rejoice in the Lord always, even having the instruction to rejoice being repeated as a bookend to the object of our rejoicing—our Lord Jesus Christ. In Romans chapter 5 we read about this link between tribulations, hope, and our God. “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3–5, NASB95)

So, when we feel pressed by some trial our response is to turn that pressure into an opportunity to praise God for His faithfulness and to watch and see how He responds. Waiting on Him means that we have to be patient. Philippians 4:5 tells us that the Lord is at hand. In James 5 we read, “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:7–8, ESV) He is at hand now and He is at His coming which is at a time known only to Him. Peter tells us more about the timing of our Lord from His perspective of time and not ours. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, ESV) As we wait on His coming we also know that He is ‘at hand’ with us now and that He is faithful to act (Psalm 37:5).

“No temptation [trial, test, tribulation] has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted [tested, pushed, pulled or tried] beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NASB95)

So far we’ve considered that we are to (1) rejoice in hope and (2) be patient in tribulation. The third part is to be constant in prayer. In Philippians 4:6-7 we read, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NASB95) Since we are rejoicing in the hope we have in God and we are being patient waiting on His timing and His help, then it only makes sense that we also would turn our eyes and our prayers constantly to Him. In prayer we praise Him for who He is. Trusting in His truths, we also lift the concerns that are weighing on us to Him, submitting ourselves to His way of answering those prayers and resting in the ability that He gives us to endure.

Counting for counting’s sake may give us pause to think on things and make a more appropriate response. But Scripture tells us to count on things that we know as true and to rest in the One who is the source of that truth, then moving forward with the confidence that He indeed will act.

Being Fervent in Service (Romans 12:11)

“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” (Romans 12:11, ESV)

In studying a passage I often look at a few different translations and possibly an amplified version or a paraphrase along with some other study tools, including looking up the original word used and its meaning. In looking at Romans 12:11 in the English Standard Version I saw the words do not be slothful in zeal, and immediately I thought, “Why ‘slothful’?”

The New American Standard reads, “not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11, NASB95) The word in question, ‘okneros’ translated these different ways (slothful and lagging behind) has the meaning of laziness or a lack of enthusiasm and effort. In the parable of the talents told by Jesus in Matthew 25, Jesus told of a master’s response to a slave who did not invest what he had been given but buried it instead. “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed.” (Matthew 25:26, NASB95) That word ‘lazy’ used in Matthew is the same Greek word used in Romans 12:11.

In our culture we speak of “not dragging our feet,” which is an idiom for not doing something promptly and whole-heartedly. So, what is it about the sloth that makes him the poster child for extreme slowness or even laziness? Using the internet to my full advantage I went to the Animal Planet website and found the following:

“[Sloths] move slower than any other mammal on Earth. The arboreal animals are known for taking their sweet time getting around, usually trekking no farther than 125 feet (38 meters) in a day. On the rare occasions when they're on the ground, sloths crawl at a glacial pace of about 1 foot (30 centimeters) per minute. This sluggishness has earned sloths a negative reputation in the human world -- even one of the seven deadly sins shares their name. … Sloths have little energy at their disposal for darting around at fast speeds because of their herbivorous diet. Native to the Americas, sloths spend most of their lives nestled between or hanging upside down from tree branches in tropical rain forests in Central and South America. … When hunger strikes, sloths simply reach out to the nearest available branch, pull it close and tear the leaves off with their lips. You probably wouldn't move around too quickly either if you had a permanently stocked minifridge within arm's length. But imagine if you ate nothing but salad greens for a week without taking in any fats or protein. You probably wouldn't have a ton of excess energy to, say, sprint around the block. Likewise, sloths' diets, which may also include fruits, flower buds and branches, don't provide much nutrition.”

So, the reason sloths are so slow is that they don’t have much energy and they don’t have much energy because what they eat is right in front of them and even then it gives them just what they need to keep the lights on, but that’s just about it. Sloths are slow because that’s who they are.

Romans 12:11 tells us not to be slothful, or lazy, or lagging behind in diligence, but rather to be fervent in spirit serving the Lord. Our identity in Christ is not that of a sloth and we are not to live like one. When we trusted Christ for our salvation we were given new life and that life was intended to be fruitful.

“I [Christ] am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NASB95)

Unlike the sloth who eats the easy stuff right in front of him and rarely ventures out unless his food source dries up, we have been given a reason to step out. We have also been given a new source of food in the Word of God, and we have been given a power source unlike anything we ever knew before, which is the indwelling of God’s Spirit.

“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13, NASB95)

“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” (John 6:35, NASB95)

“How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding….” (Psalm 119:103–104, NASB95)

As we need to pay attention to the food and drink that makes it into our bodies, we also need to pay attention to what we feed our hearts and minds. If we are going to be servants of God as He has called us to be, then it is incumbent upon us to look to Him, trust Him, hide His Word in our hearts, talk with Him (pray) and listen to the leading of His Spirit. With this we step out as we also put aside anything which is contrary to His Word, confessing our sins, and thanking Him for the forgiveness fully granted in His Son.

“that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:22–24, NASB95)

Romans 12:11 is another one of those verses that not only tells us what we should not be doing (putting off), but it also gives us instruction (renewing the mind) on what we are to do (putting on)—being fervent in our spirit we are to serve the Lord.

Outdo One Another (Romans 12:10)

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10, ESV)

I just started preparing to teach Romans chapters 12-16 after completing the first eleven chapters last June. I haven’t decided whether to start with verse one of chapter twelve or to take up where I left off in a November sermon, which would mean starting at verse ten. As I read verse 10 in the English Standard Version I was struck with the wording used by the translators, saying, “Outdo one another in showing honor.” There is so much that we are told to do with excellence, while at the same time not letting our excellence be a cause for pride or boasting. Brought together in this short sentence is the concept of going above and beyond in honoring others. In the New American Standard translation the verse reads, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;” (Romans 12:10, NASB95)

I hadn’t really thought about a level of giving preference to others until I read the ESV translation. But as I read this translation and as I took time to look up the Greek word used to lead to this translation I found the word allelon, which means to lead the way or go before, to go before as a leader might. And as I looked at how it might have led to these varying translations I started to see a fuller meaning. Rather than one being right and the other wrong, I saw that they were instead two sides of a same coin. In other words, as we are setting a path in honoring others we are choosing to give preference to them as if they are in a sense our leaders who are due honor.

Think about that for a moment. When we choose to honor others or to give consideration to their needs by prioritizing them we are showing them honor which might not even be warranted. But at the same time, this verse is a one another verse which means that it is supposed to be reciprocal or go both ways. Yet if we stop showing honor because it isn’t going both ways, then we are not leading the way in doing so. And when we start to withhold seeking another’s best, and we start to focus on what is lacking toward ourselves, then we start to make ourselves bigger and the honor we seek becomes our own.

It is for that reason that we are to be devoted to one another in brotherly love, because Scripture tells us that love covers a multitude of sins (or is longsuffering toward those who do so). “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8, NASB95)

Scripture reminds us that while we were sinners that Christ, because of His great love, died for us. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NASB95) God did not demand we honor Him before He offered us salvation. He did not say, “If you do better, then I will give you a chance.” No, we did not deserve His love and forgiveness, yet He gave it to us and His Son humbly took on the form of man for us. “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5–8, NASB95)

Another important consideration is that these one another verses, of which there are many covering a large number of topics, are directed to believers and how they relate to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. In that sense we have a whole collection of one another’s speaking together, with none of them standing alone. These do include rebuking and correcting along with being longsuffering. They even include instructions on how we deal with those who are disobedient to the word. And we are to approach our dealings with one another with an eye to their best. John MacArthur, in his study Bible, described our giving preference to one another with honor this way, “To show genuine appreciation and admiration for fellow believers by putting them first” (Phil. 2:3). (MacArthur Study Bible) “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3, ESV)

Christians are not doormats for each other, but they are rather people who know the great love of their God and the incredible sacrifice or their Savior and Lord, and because of that love they give themselves back to God as a spiritual sacrifice evidenced in their relations to other believers.

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” (Romans 12:1, NASB95)

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” … “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” (Colossians 3:17, 23–24, NASB95)

And as we treat one another in this manner we evidence to the world around us a way of living which is different from everything they know.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35, NASB95)

Outdoing one another is not a competition to see who can do it better, but rather it is doing our best to honor God in how we humbly treat each other.