Romans 12:3, commentary and pictures

Every believer is commanded not to value self above what is right but to judge self with humble, clear good sense according to the faith God has given.
That faith itself is God's gift dealt to each person, and everything possessed in ability, intellect and talent comes from Him by creation and redemption, leaving no ground for high thoughts of self.
The command belongs with presenting the body a living holy sacrifice, refusing conformity to the world, being transformed by the renewing of the mind, and proving by experience the good and perfect will of God.
As members with different gifts make one body in Christ, this sober estimate keeps believers united in sincere love, honoring one another and serving one another instead of exalting self, drawing apart, or judging brethren.
It especially forbids those in position from ruling over minds, taking away individual rights, or insisting their own plans prevail, calling them to shepherd humbly while all walk in lowliness, temperance and self-control in daily life.

Words and Immediate Context

Through the grace given, counsel for this instruction is given through grace from God, and that grace enables a person to offer counsel.

The humble, sober estimate of self according to the portion of faith God has given to each belongs with presenting the body as a living, holy, acceptable sacrifice as reasonable service, refusing conformity to the world, and being transformed by a renewed mind. This call is addressed to those who are God's property and to each person by grace, to judge self soberly rather than think too highly of self, recognizing that God has dealt faith to each and putting away inherited and cultivated sharp traits of character. It sets a high standard for those professing the truth in the day of preparation, requiring sanctification, conversion, and transformation of life by ridding every unholy ambition and refusing affinity with the world. For young people it guides a humble view of self in which selfish indulgence and self-importance obstruct growth and usefulness, while abilities are to be used in God's service with self-denial and cross-bearing. For workers in publishing houses, physicians and nurses in sanitariums, and ministers who cherish tendencies to wrong and try to bear rule over one another, it belongs with prayerful study to understand the gifts that make the church the light of the world, showing the need for converted intellects, the daily converting power of God, Christ as an indwelling presence, and repentance and daily conversion.

Together with that sacrifice and transformation, the requirement is to prove by personal experience what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. That proving joins forsaking sin and cultivating Christian graces as unmistakably clear instruction to be taken to heart and carried out in daily life. By the mercies of God and Christ's love in giving His Son as a propitiation, dying for sinners, and purchasing believers at a price, entire obedience in giving the body means refusing high thoughts of self, and to claim Christ as Saviour while continuing to cherish sinful practices misrepresents Him and puts Him to open shame.

The instruction is a definite and practical lesson to be taken to heart and carried out in daily life, and belongs to an educational chapter to be studied, understood, and brought into life practice. It holds lessons for all and has a history for all churches, and the whole of Romans 12 is for the church to study, that all may increase in faith and righteousness and grow up in Christ the living Head. Watching the religious life diligently belongs to this study, since profession alone is of no avail and exalting self is a self-deception that will ruin some who once knew the truth.

True belief is proved by bringing this instruction into practical daily life, while spurious faith is exposed by the daily exhibition of character. Those who have put on Christ are transformed by the renewing of their minds and prove by experience the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, and this moral renovation of every heart is necessary, or souls will perish in their sins.

Faith as God's Gift

God has dealt to every person a measure of faith, and with it a measure of power and of work and a place in the eternal plan of heaven. Faith itself is a gift, and the Lord's choosing does not rest on natural superiority but on accepting the grace freely offered. Each is therefore expected to put forth what has been given in that branch of the work where labor can be most intelligent and effective, united as one body with every member joined to the body and working in respective capacity.

All that anyone has in gifts and capabilities, in speech and in thought and action, including abilities, intellect, and talents by both creation and redemption, is from God and is not created by self. Because faith and capacity come from God as a measured gift, there is no ground for high thoughts of self or for self-exaltation. Each person still retains individuality and a character to work out after the divine similitude by cooperating with God.

The measure of faith is intelligent, pure, cordial belief in the grace of Christ which brings salvation to all, and that belief places the feet on the eternal Rock. That faith grows as it is exercised in receiving the word of God, and frequent contact with that word strengthens faith. Put into exercise by walking in faith, relying upon God for help, and letting light shine, it braces against inherited and cultivated tendencies to slack, untidy, lawless habits, so that a person arises with diligent effort and is not sunk to a low level nor pushed downward by circumstances.

Self-sufficiency keeps a person from discerning God's goodness, mercy, and love. One who feels sufficient in self is weak, but when reliance is wholly upon God all abilities can be used to the best account. Even a good mind with strong qualifications still needs the Spirit of God to work within.

Humble Sober Self-Estimate

The command is addressed to every person among believers, both young and mature, not to think of self more highly than ought to be thought but to think soberly, righteously, reasonably and with humble good sense according to the measure of faith God has dealt to each. It stands as one of many principles for how Christians should conduct themselves toward one another as members of the heavenly family who help and strengthen each other, with heaven to be won by overcoming as Christ overcame. Self-sufficiency keeps a person from discerning God's goodness, mercy and love, so the charge cautions against pride and bearing rule over others and calls for self-control and a humble spirit. It is instruction of high value and a history for all churches, calling the work of God to be carried on to a higher plane of action. It applies especially to all who hold position in the church to act as shepherds representing the great Shepherd, and any masterly, dominating, ruling power that charges the Lord's people what they shall do and shall not do violates this sober estimate, being a strange and dangerous element in Christian experience that is not of God, is another gospel, is not the righteousness of Christ, is a spoil to the church and must not be allowed any more.

It is directed to workers in publishing houses, physicians and nurses in sanitariums, and ministers who cherish inherited and cultivated tendencies to wrong and try to bear rule over one another, showing they need converted intellects, the daily converting power of God, Christ as an indwelling presence, and repentance and daily conversion from wrongdoing, without which they are enemies of Christ. It belongs with presenting the body a living sacrifice and being transformed by the renewing of the mind to prove the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, and with the truth that many members with different offices are one body in Christ with differing gifts, to be studied prayerfully to understand the gifts that make the church the light of the world. Sober thinking means not placing a higher value on self than God places upon self. It requires clear, candid judgment giving attention to what truly matters in God's requirements rather than frivolous questions or idle tales, and it forbids levity and careless acts excused as mere thoughtlessness. Christians have a duty to govern their thoughts, and when Jesus is enthroned in the heart the thoughts do not run riot.

The danger is despising counsel and being lifted up by flattery and praise from those who applaud one who can talk, which injures a minister who may still be deficient in essentials, for although gems of truth dug by others with toil and prayer may have been picked up, study of the holy word has only begun and must become earnest study and the rule of life. Entering the school of Christ is only the start, and being fitted for the work is a life business of daily laborious hand-to-hand struggle with established habits, inclinations and hereditary tendencies, requiring constant earnest vigilant effort to watch and control self, to keep Jesus prominent and self out of sight. Humility means recognizing God-given limits and gifts, since all do not have capability for the same work but one is fitted for one class of work and another for another. Each is to do the work suited to ability and grace given rather than exalting self above others or insisting on a place that is not one's own, and all blend in a complete whole with a work for every member to do.

God has given to every man his measure of power and faith and expects each to put it forth in that branch of the work where he can labor most intelligently and effectively, united as one body with every member joined to the body and working in respective capacity. The verse therefore forbids demanding honor and praise for supposed superior judgment, feeling fully capable of larger responsibilities and of moving independent of any control while failing the test of smaller responsibilities, disconnecting from appointed agencies to work on an independent line in supposed wisdom, and living shut up to self and for self. The whole of Romans 12 holds lessons for all and is for the church to study, that all may increase in faith and righteousness and grow up in Christ the living Head. Exalting self is self-deception that will ruin some who have once known the truth, profession alone is of no avail, and every person, especially ministers and workers, must watch the religious life diligently so it is not perverted by self-exalted ideas. It belongs to an educational chapter to be studied, understood and brought into life practice, warning against overestimating self and requiring sober self-estimate according to the measure of faith.

Overestimating self breaks the verse and shows a very selfish disposition. It reveals itself in taking extremely singular and fanciful views of Scripture and clinging to them as zealously as traditions were clung to, in lacking a teachable spirit, in supposing to know better than fellow believers, and in being very difficult to approach. Such pride puts a person in constant danger of making trouble in the church and reveals a self-righteous, Pharisaical spirit that says to others to stand off as holier, and the wrong must be set to work to be corrected in the strength of the mighty Conqueror. The verse warns against overvaluing a talent useful to God's work by regarding self as a pillar of the church, refusing work considered beneath ability, and seeking a higher position, calling instead for humility rather than self-importance. Its warning against pride applies also to flattering others about their abilities, since such praise can foster self-esteem and lead them to neglect ordinary duties.

Esteeming self too highly can lead to acting presumptuously, as when reputations of brethren were used to spread false reports. An excessive estimate of self is a mistake, and a sound life must be built on a proper foundation with discipline and practical experience in everyday duties. After looking into the depths of God's law and seeing self as God sees him, a sinner and debtor who is not here to bless self only, self-esteem is gone and all glory is ascribed to God. Thinking soberly then means working out salvation with fear and trembling while helping others be saved, and joined with living righteously it gives good influence because the life breathes heaven's atmosphere. It ends ambition for greatness, desire to avenge self, sensitivity to reproach, neglect or contempt, seeking earthly alliance, station or honor, and pulling others down to uplift self.

It makes a person gentle, condescending, meek and lowly of heart, taught in the school of Christ, talking of Jesus and His matchless love and growing into His image, bending whole energy to win souls, loving them more when trial comes for their sake, with life hid with Christ in God. It requires examining the heart and motives, resisting pride, and giving with meekness and humility in recognition that what is given to God is already His.

Unity of One Body

Not thinking too highly of self but thinking soberly according to the measure of faith given is the religious duty of every church member, and no member is to exalt self above others but each is to recognize God-given limits and gifts, since all do not have capability for the same work but one is fitted for one class of work and another for another. As many members with different offices make one body, so many believers with differing gifts are one body in Christ and members of one another, blending in a complete whole with a work for every member to do in his respective capacity. The whole of Romans 12 is for the church to study prayerfully, that all may increase in faith and righteousness and grow up in Christ the living Head, and this belongs with presenting the body a living sacrifice and being transformed by the renewing of the mind to prove the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, and with understanding the gifts that make the church the light of the world. All that anyone has in gifts and capabilities, in speech, thought, and action, is from God and is not created by self, leaving no ground for high thoughts of self, yet each person still has an individuality and character to work out after the divine similitude by cooperating with God and educating every power to its highest perfection for God to use.

Christians are to conduct themselves toward one another as members of the heavenly family who help and strengthen each other, with heaven to win by overcoming as Christ overcame. This means being in this world to be a help and a blessing to one another, uniting with Christ Jesus in restoring the moral image of God in man, and to do that work all must learn of Christ and take His yoke, for He is meek and lowly in heart and gives perfect peace and rest. They are to love sincerely, reject evil, cling to good, show brotherly affection, and honor one another, and unity of action means refusing to use influence by voice or writing to support evil. Humility and thoughtfulness oppose pride and self-exaltation and help believers treat one another with brotherly love and honor, serving one another in love.

This sober self-estimate belongs to church life, where those brought together in church capacity are to be united understandingly and intelligently and to strive to be one as Christ is one with the Father. As the leaven of truth hidden in the heart converts the mind, affections, motives, and all powers into conformity with itself, this humility keeps the members in peace rather than confusion and prepares them to sustain the right relation to one another as members of one body. Just as a perfect physical body requires each organ to be perfect, a perfect spiritual body requires each member to keep this humble estimate, which is a personal duty for husband and wife and means wearing Christ's yoke and working under His leading. A variety of gifts are to be brought into the building of the temple of the Lord, each finding its proper place and growing together into an holy temple.

No one is to regard self as an independent atom, exalt self because of success, lift up the soul unto vanity, commend self, glory in men, or attach exclusively to the one person under whose labors truth was received and refuse harmony in separate bundles. All ministers ordained as God's helping hand are one whether planting or watering, for God alone gives the increase, and believers with their brethren are one body, God's husbandry and God's building on the one foundation Jesus Christ. So no one in self-confidence is to draw apart from brethren over misconceived opinions or build after own plans, notions, and desirings without reference to brethren, laying rubbish of suppositions on the foundation. Yet this humility that supports unity does not require unquestioned deference to any worker's judgment, for believers have different gifts and roles yet belong to one body in Christ and are to serve one another in love, giving honor to others.

Believers are to love one another as brethren, to be kind and courteous, and to be careful not to judge one another or put a stumblingblock or occasion to fall in a brother's way, since all must render an account of themselves before the judgment seat of God. Those who condemn their brothers for decisions they criticize afterward fail to recognize that their own lives are marked by faults and imperfections; they should therefore judge themselves with humility rather than speak evil of others.

Leadership Without Domination

The counsel belongs especially to all who hold position in the church, who are to act as shepherds representing the great Shepherd and to carry the work of God forward upon a higher plane of action. It forbids any masterly working power, any dominating and ruling power that charges the Lord's people what they shall do and shall not do, as a violation of sober self-estimate. Such domination is a strange and dangerous element in Christian experience, not of God, another gospel, not the righteousness of Christ, a spoil to the church of God that must not be allowed any more.

To think soberly forbids exalting self over fellow men by controlling another mind, judging for another what is duty, taking away individual rights, or being harsh, severe, dictatorial and bruising souls. It recognizes that soul, body, spirit, mind, intellect and talents belong to God by creation and redemption, that each person has a God-given individuality and identity that cannot be surrendered to any other human being, and that God deals with infinite tenderness and longsuffering love with His heritage. It therefore calls every person to daily consecration, giving back heart, conscience, affections and body for sanctification and holiness. No believer is to think himself superior to others or entitled to rule over one whom the Lord has called, to place himself above his brethren, to insist that his own plans prevail, or to resent being questioned by them. Nor is anyone to assume he can serve better than his fellow workers or to take opportunities that should be shared with them, but each is to act with humility, recognizing personal weakness and seeking love and harmony.

The warning is directed to workers in publishing houses, to physicians and nurses in sanitariums, and to ministers who cherish inherited and cultivated tendencies to wrong and try to bear rule over one another. They show need of converted intellects, of the daily converting power of God, of Christ as an indwelling presence, and of repentance and daily conversion from wrongdoing, without which they are enemies of Christ. For men of God's appointment this means being doers of His word in small matters as well as large, obeying His word and working humbly while seeking wisdom from Him. To become exalted in self-opinion is Satan's device to weaken appointed workers and thereby gain power over them, and God sustains and uses men as His instruments only as long as they work humbly.

Teachers and physicians, especially where sanitarium and school stand close together, must not be self-centered and self-confident, must not think their own branch of greatest importance, must not insist on carrying out their own plans while refusing concessions to others, and must not cling tenaciously to their own ideas about nonessentials, but must guard perfect harmony so both groups secure the best results. The danger is despising counsel and being lifted up by flattery and praise from those who applaud one who can talk, which injures a young minister still deficient in essentials required of one who speaks for God. Although some gems of truth dug up by others with toil and prayer have been picked up, study of the holy word has only just begun and must become earnest study and the rule of life. Being fitted for the work is a life business of daily laborious hand-to-hand struggle with established habits, inclinations and hereditary tendencies, requiring constant vigilant effort to watch and control self, to keep Jesus prominent and self out of sight.

Those who teach the truth, especially unpopular truth, must not think too highly of their own abilities but must have the grace of humility, which is sadly lacking in the ministry and the church. True humility exalts Christ and the truth and realizes utter dependence upon the God of truth, and doctrine must be combined with power from on high or efforts will be of little account. Learning humility is painful yet nothing is more beneficial, for the pain comes from being elated by a false estimate of self that keeps men from seeing their great need, while vanity and pride fill hearts and God's grace alone can work reformation. Heeding the warning requires changing a proud self-exalting attitude, keeping self under control with self-control and a humble spirit, practicing humble instruction, and serving humbly without self-exaltation while recognizing much remains to learn. So doing preserves past success and makes it possible to reach the standard of perfection, whereas pride and self-confidence make one dictatorial and unfit to work with others. The measure of faith by which this sober judgment is made is intelligent, pure, cordial belief in the grace of Christ which brings salvation to all and places the feet upon the eternal Rock.

Sober Daily Living

To think soberly is true humility of mind from a heart touched by the love of Jesus, shown in modesty of demeanor and in words that reveal the Holy Spirit is cherished, even though every child of God as a citizen of heaven bought by blood is precious in His sight beyond fine gold, even the golden wedge of Ophir. It forbids being bold, rash, dictatorial, boastful, denunciatory and revengeful. It requires an unassuming gentle spirit that discerns and appreciates the virtues of others, gives due respect to all saints as members of the royal family and children of the heavenly King, speaks kindly to young or old, high or low, learned or unlearned, keeps words from piercing like swords, refuses to humble brethren by accusing and condemning faults and errors, and honors others in brotherly love.

Not overvaluing self but holding a correct sober view is what only the grace of God and the abiding Spirit of Christ can give so that a person labors in humility. Overvaluing self is being self-dignified, bringing self to the front, and being overbearing, dictatorial and self-important, which does not win pupils and students but repulses and disgusts them. It leads to repeated failure and serious blunders, is highly displeasing to God, and is especially objectionable in a young man. One so taught in Christ's school no longer ascribes goodness and merit to self after looking into the depths of God's law and seeing self as God sees him, a sinner and debtor who is not here to bless self only; self-esteem is gone and all glory is ascribed to God. Such a one is gentle, condescending, meek and lowly of heart, talks of Jesus and His matchless love and grows more and more into His image, bends whole energy to win souls to Christ, loves them more when trial comes for their sake, and lives hid with Christ in God.

Applied to young people, the measure of faith God gives is to guide that humble view of self with self-denial and cross-bearing, since selfish indulgence and self-importance obstruct Christian growth and usefulness while abilities are to be used in service to God. Sober thinking keeps a clear humble view of self with vigilance in prayer against Satan as accuser, for those who cling to Jesus by living faith are protected from his power to destroy, while those who separate from Christ through sin are in peril. When sober thinking is joined with living righteously and working out salvation with fear and trembling while helping others be saved, it gives good influence over associates because the life breathes heaven's atmosphere.

The verse calls for temperance in all things with clear restrained judgment and definite testimony for truth and righteousness, as part of presenting the body as a holy living sacrifice and being transformed by a renewed mind instead of conformed to the world to prove God's good and perfect will. Indifference on temperance is not pleasing to God, while earnest work in temperance under the Holy Spirit gives much greater influence, so that arousing the moral sensibilities of every church to this duty gains a very great victory. It applies to refusing the presumption that healing permits unrestricted eating and drinking, for self-indulgence is not sound judgment about one's condition or freedom and appetite must not rule. Care for the body through healthful habits belongs to this humility of members with different functions in one body in Christ, as part of the gospel's requirements.

In appeal to those struggling with alcohol or stimulating drinks, sober thinking includes acknowledging that self-indulgence has damaged self-control and clear judgment, that every faculty and the body belong to God and should be kept fit for His service, and that overcoming craving requires full cooperation, awakened moral powers, and trust in Christ's grace. In self-indulgence it calls for clear thinking and self-control as a personal lesson, and in the school of Christ humility and thoughtfulness avoid harshness and roughness that misrepresent Christ and undermine unity among workers. The measure of faith is to be put into exercise by walking in faith, relying upon God for help, and letting light shine, which braces against inherited and cultivated tendencies to slack, untidy, lawless habits so a person arises with diligent effort and is not sunk low or pushed downward by circumstances. In the family this means fathers and mothers overcome faults, bring truth into character building, give truth first place at any sacrifice, and give children a share in home work for physical health and spiritual soundness.

It means walking in lowliness of mind, looking to God and trusting Him while working out salvation with fear and trembling without bringing in worldly ways and policy, and then the Lord cooperates, working inside to will and do for His glory. He gives wisdom and divine power for service, makes the humble trusting person His representative, reveals Himself through the consecrated worker, and longs to make people wise with His own wisdom to be used for Him. The life kept from self-importance is given to God as a living sacrifice that He accepts and uses and sustains, with all powers spent from the heart to do His will and every ability carried as a sacred treasure to pass on received knowledge and grace, with self sunk in Christ and all glory to God, for all that anyone has in gifts and capabilities, in speech, thought and action, is from God and not created by self, leaving no ground for high thoughts. People are responsible moral agents who must do their appointed part in cooperation with God while submitting weak human ability to divine help, turning away from and cutting off things as dear to the carnal nature as the right eye or right arm when they cause stumbling, educating every power to highest perfection for God to use after the divine similitude, with individuality and character to work out.

It warns against inflated self-appraisal in giving, requiring examination of heart and motives, resistance to pride, and giving with meekness and humility recognizing what is given to God is already His, as urged upon Edson to be modest in self-appraisal. Thinking soberly now means reading God's providence in His movements, recognizing that the burning of the Battle Creek Sanitarium was not a call to enlarge plans, erect greater buildings, and make more display, but a call to reconsider building plans.