Romans 12:10, In Honour Preferring One Another

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

A paraphrase of Romans 12:10b “in honour preferring one another” is  Philippians 2:3-4 “3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

This is the mind of Christ that the Apostle Paul tells us believers ought to have in their conduct. Our Lord Jesus Christ sets us the example in humble service and sacrifice.  Philippians 2:1-2 “1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” This is the Holy Spirit’s fruit in believers’ life. It is a testimony of true spiritual life.

“As to honour”, the commentator Stuart says, “give one another the preference. The general law of morals requires us to love our neighbour as ourselves. In matters of courtesy and civility our brother is to have the precedence over ourselves. There are many cases in which it is impossible the same distinction should be conferred on two or more. Then, let the strife be who shall decline, not who shall win.”¹

May God help His people to mortify the flesh and put on Christ’s mind in our interaction one with another.

¹William Plumer, Commentary on Romans, Kregel, 1993, 572.