Romans 12:16
What does Romans 12:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 12:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 12:16 means
Believers are to be of the same mind—pursuing harmony rather than factionalism. They must resist ambition for status and instead associate with the lowly—people and tasks the world overlooks. Pride blinds; humility sees truly. “Be not wise in your own conceits” warns against self-assured judgment that dismisses others. A unified church requires hearts willing to stoop, listen, and learn. The gospel levels us, for all stand by grace. Therefore, we seek common mind in Christ, not uniformity of opinion but shared humility and purpose. Such a posture disarms rivalry and opens the door to genuine peace.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Be 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Be in harmony with one another. Do not have a high opinion of yourselves, but be in agreement with common people. Do not give yourselves an air of wisdom.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862of the same mind one toward another, not minding the high things, but with the lowly going along; become not wise in your own conceit;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Being of one mind one towards another. Not minding high things, but consenting to the humble. Be not wise in your own conceits.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Have the same respect one for another, not minding high things, but going along with the lowly: be not wise in your own eyes:
Context
After calling for empathetic joy and sorrow, Paul addresses the mindset that sustains communal peace: shared humility and willingness to embrace lowly people and tasks. This prepares for the explicit prohibitions against retaliation in verse 17 and the pursuit of peace in verse 18. Pride fuels revenge and division; humility paves the way for reconciliation. The flow from empathy to humility to peacemaking shows the internal adjustments necessary to live out the radical commands that follow.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 3:16
only, whereunto we have attained, by that same rule let us walk.
- 1 Corinthians 4:10
We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonor.
- Luke 4:6
And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
- Matthew 11:5
the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them.
- Luke 14:13
But when thou makest a feast, bid the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
- Acts 4:32
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not oneof themsaid that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
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