Romans 12:16

Be of the same mind. Each Christian should so enter into the feelings and desires of his fellow believers as to be of one mind with them (see Romans 15:5; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 2:2; 4:2). Among Christians there should always exist the harmony that results from a common purpose, common hopes, common desires.

Mind not high things. Or, “be not high-minded” (Romans 11:20), “do not be haughty” (RSV). “Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up” (1 Corinthians 13:4, RV). Pride may even be prompted by spiritual attainments (see 1 Corinthians 12). Loving concord cannot continue where there are some whose minds are set on “high things,” where there is personal ambition, conceit, or contempt for others.

Condescend (Greek: sunapago), literally, “to carry away with,” as by a flood; hence, “to yield to,” “to submit to,” “to give oneself up to.” Compare the only two other New Testament occurrences of this verb in Galatians 2:13 and 2 Peter 3:17, where the unfavorable sense is indicated by the context, not by the verb.

Men of low estate. The Greek is ambiguous and may refer either to lowly men or to lowly things. The Greek word for “lowly” or “humble” (tapeinos) is consistently used of persons elsewhere in the New Testament, but it is not impossible that in this context Paul is speaking of “humble duties” or “lowly tasks.” Whichever is his meaning, the emphasis is upon humility.

It seems that most of the members in the early Christian church were poor, and the few who were wealthy may have been tempted to look with some disdain upon their lowlier brethren (see James 2:1-9). But such a lack of love and sympathy would make it impossible for believers to “be of the same mind one toward another.” Therefore Christians must have a mind such as Jesus had. Even though He was divine, He did not mind “high things.” Rather, He “took upon him the form of a servant” and “humbled himself,” so that He could associate with lowly, sinful people and work with them for their salvation (Philippians 2:5-8). If the Son of God was willing to stoop so low through love for His corrupted creatures, surely grateful Christians should be willing to “condescend” to associate with any of their fellow mortals (see Great Controversy, pp. 330-336). See on James 1:9, 10.

Wise in your own conceits. Literally, “wise by yourselves,” meaning “wise in your own opinions” (cf. on Romans 11:25). Such pride of opinion is an offense against Christian love, for it implies the despising of the opinions of others and ultimately of even the counsels of God. Therefore Isaiah warns, “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:21; cf. Proverbs 3:7). The Christian whose mind has been renewed will not trust in the conceit of his own superior skill and understanding and refuse to listen to the advice of others. On the contrary, in love and humility he will respect the judgment of his fellow believers and keep his mind open and teachable. He will be ready to recognize and acknowledge his own limitations and errors and to learn from others.