Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Romans 15:5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 15:5 Now may the God who gives endurance and who supplies encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, |
Subject: Two ways of thinking! |
Bible Note: Greetings All! There was an interesting discussion the other day about Rom. 15:5. That verse contained an interesting phrase, “May He give you the same to think among one another according to Christ Jesus”. The verb 'Phroneo – I think' is what struck my interest. As I did a little more research on this verb, it seems to be used in four primary ways in the New Testament. The first one is obvious, it simply means to think. But, in Rom. 15:5, it is used as an indication of unity of thought among believers. Thinking the same This meaning is also found in several other passages. I will list the NIV of each verse and then the literal translation of the phrase in question. Rom. 12:16 - “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” Literally - “thinking the same among one another...” 2 Cor. 13:11 - “ Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” Literally - “the same think” Phil. 2:2 - “ then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” Literally - “the same may you think” and “thinking one” Phil. 2:5 - “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:” Literally - “think this among you that also in Christ Jesus” Phil. 4:2 - “ I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.” Literally - “the same to think in Lord” Thinking more highly of yourself A third way in which this verb is used is to indicate a humble way of thinking about one's self. Rom. 11:20 - “Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.” Literally - “stop thinking more highly, but be afraid” See also Rom. 12:3 and 12:16. Thinking the things of God Matt. 16:23 - “Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Literally - “because not you are thinking the things of God, but the things of men” See also Mark 8:33 This dichotomy is also expressed in Rom. 8:5 - “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” Literally - “For those who are according to the flesh, they are thinking the things of the flesh, but those according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Phil. 3:19 - “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.” Literally - “they the things of the earth are thinking” Summary Pulling all of this together, we find that there are two ways that we can think. We can engage in Godly thinking or worldly thinking. Godly thinking consists of holy living and unity amongst believers. Worldly thinking consists of fleshly living and arrogance. How are we going to think? Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |