Romans 12:16

Be of the same mind Cp. Romans 15:5; 1 Peter 3:8. Lit. Thinking the same thing towards one another; "actuated by a common and well-understood feeling of mutual allowance and kindness." (Alford.)

Mind not The verb (on which see on Romans 8:5) is the same as that just rendered "Be of the … mind;" and doubtless refers to it: "Thinkkindly toward one another; and thereto think nothigh things." The "high things" would be thoughts of personal vanity, or of social, or perhaps also spiritual, pride.

condescend Lit. being led away with; drawn into sympathy with them.

men of low estate So probably, better than "low things," as some render. To sympathize with the humblewas the antithesis to the having "the heart haughty and the eyes lofty." (Psalms 131:1) The "low estate" in view was no doubt specially that of social inferiority; e.g. that of the slave. Wonderful was the work of the Gospel in bringing home this great and sacred duty, and yet without one note of revolutionary bitterness. See 1 Timothy 6:1-2. It is the Gospel alone which knows the full meaning of Liberté, Fraternité, Égalité.

Be not wise, &c. Same words as Romans 11:25. Obedience to this precept would be a great help to the fulfilment of those just before and after.