Be of the Same Mind

BE OF THE SAME MIND
Romans 12:16

TRANSLATIONS

"Be of the same mind toward one another" --- NASB, KJV, NKJV, ASV, Lamsa

"Live in harmony with one another" --- NIV, RSV, Berkeley, Goodspeed, Phillips

"Have the same attitude toward all" --- NAB

"Care as much about each other as about yourselves" --- NEB

"Have the same concern for every one" --- TEV

"Live together in peace with each other" --- NCV

"Get along with one another" --- SEB

"Be minded the same way toward others as to yourselves" --- NWT

"Work happily together" --- LB

"Keep on thinking in harmony with one another" --- Williams

"Agree with one another" --- McCord

WORD STUDY
The first two Greek words in this phrase -- to auto -- comprise what is known as an Intensive or Identical Pronoun (Robertson, p. 687). It is usually translated "the same" and has reference to equality. Most lexicons state the intended meaning here is that the brethren are "to be of the same mind towards one another" (Thayer, p. 658); they are to regard each other equally. Our regard for one another is NOT to be like that discussed in Romans 14:3-5.
The last word in the phrase -- phroneo -- appears 29 times in the pages of the NT writings (26 of which are by Paul; 10 of these being in Romans). It means to regard or view with a certain frame of mind. The phrase signifies that we are to show the same regard toward one another (NOT like the attitude displayed in James 2:1-4). This phrase does not oppose, as some contend, a diversity of opinion or practice among brethren. "This is not 'loving unanimity'" (Lenski, p. 775). "It is not uniformity of which Paul is speaking here" (Wuest, p. 216). "This is not the same thing as 'seeing eye to eye'" (Bruce, p. 229).
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Romans 12:3; 15:5 I Corinthians 4:6 II Corinthians 13:11 Philippians 2:2; 4:2 James 2:1f
COMMENTARY
"The Apostle exhorts to mutual harmonious relations. Such a spirit of amity and concord may co-exist with great differences about other matters. It is not opposed to wide divergence of opinion. It is the Christ in us which makes us kindred with all others in whom He is. It is self, in some form or other, that separates us from the possessors of like precious faith" (Maclaren, p. 287-90).
"This verse is a prohibition of partiality and respect of persons within communities of Christians ..... the formation of inner circles of preference" (Coffman, p. 438).
"This rules out any caste system" (Layman's, p. 1411).
"Being of the same kind, sympathizing spirit toward all, rich and poor, is the true spirit of Christ" (Lipscomb, p. 229).
"Do not love one brother and hate another; do not honor one and slight another; do not wish one well and another ill. In mind be to auto, the same to all" (Lard, p. 392).
".....written to dispel the discord in the church" (Expos. Comm., p. 134).
"Live in a state of continual harmony and concord, and pray for the same good for all which you desire for yourselves" (Clarke, p. 141).

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