Second Sunday after Epiphany, Sunday, January 19th, 2014
Fr. Todd Bragg
St. Margaret Anglican Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
" Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate." (Romans 12:16)
St. Paul is speaking in this 12th chapter of the Letter to the Romans that St. Paul is speaking to the young church at Rome how specifically to live as a Christian Community, living with one another and how to act with others in community. In the rest of the epistle, St. Paul is really speaking in regards to how to live as a Christian in the individual sense of the relationship with God and one person. But here in the 12th chapter, the emphasis for St. Paul is centered on the community and how they react one with another.
In the KJV translation, it states " . . . but condescend to men of low estate." This may be confusing to people that may focus on the word "condescend" in the negative sense of the word. But if we look at other translations, it helps to shed light on the meaning of this verse. In the New Living Translation, we hear, "Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people." and also in the New King James Version: " . . . associate with the humble." Thus, St. Paul is telling the Romans not to be too proud or think that they are better than anyone else.
"Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty; Neither do I exercise myself in great matters." (Psalm 131:1)
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heard and a humble mind." (I St. Peter 3:8)
St. Paul is speaking in this 12th chapter of the Letter to the Romans that St. Paul is speaking to the young church at Rome how specifically to live as a Christian Community, living with one another and how to act with others in community. In the rest of the epistle, St. Paul is really speaking in regards to how to live as a Christian in the individual sense of the relationship with God and one person. But here in the 12th chapter, the emphasis for St. Paul is centered on the community and how they react one with another.
In the KJV translation, it states " . . . but condescend to men of low estate." This may be confusing to people that may focus on the word "condescend" in the negative sense of the word. But if we look at other translations, it helps to shed light on the meaning of this verse. In the New Living Translation, we hear, "Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people." and also in the New King James Version: " . . . associate with the humble." Thus, St. Paul is telling the Romans not to be too proud or think that they are better than anyone else.
"Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty; Neither do I exercise myself in great matters." (Psalm 131:1)
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heard and a humble mind." (I St. Peter 3:8)
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