It Starts Small

Paul gives us a different meaning to getting along with each other. Previously he commanded us to love and honor one another, but this verse carries a slightly different idea. I like the CSB version of this verse. The KJV says to be of the same mind with one another. Harmony is agreement of ideas, feelings, or actions, or a pleasing combination of different parts. Musically, it requires each one to adjust his pitch, not to perfectly match each other, but to be compatible and pleasant when played together.

Paul is not telling us to be cookie cutter Christians. We will never be exactly alike in behavior and opinion. In Romans 14, Paul discusses the fact that Christians will have differing opinions. What Paul is commanding is that believers adjust themselves to each other in a way that produces healthy order. This requires a mutual submission. This requires a willingness to make different choices that allow everyone to get along.

Living in harmony requires humility. This is why Paul’s next instruction is important: do not be proud. DO not be haughty, arrogant, or stuck up. Paul makes it very clear when he follows up this command with associate with those who are humble. Paul is telling us, do not think so highly of yourself that you are too good to hang out with anyone else.

Christianity attracted many followers in the early days of the first church because of people with low stature, women and slaves, were welcomed to come to faith in Jesus Christ. The result was that the people began to not associate with anyone who was a Roman or within Roman culture. Paul commands us to leave all societal levels, class rivalries and cultural barriers out of the church.

He ends this verse with a final command. Do not be wise in your own sight. This is not the same as saying we are never to be wise. Paul gives us the idea that we should never accept our own opinion as gospel or the final word. To live in harmony, all must submit to the Word of God.

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