Think Soberly Romans 12:3

Paul the apostle told the believing people in Rome, “be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”, and in chapter twelve and verse three of Romans, Paul told his believing readers, “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly” where we read:

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

The verse begins, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;” Paul began with the words, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “I say” or “Paul uttered, proclaimed and declared”, “through the grace” which means “by the way and means of that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm and loveliness” “given” which means “granted and bestowed” “unto me” which means “to Paul”, “to every man” or “toward each, all, the whole and everyone whether male or female” “that is among you” which means “who is with and by the believing people in Rome”, “not to think of himself more highly” which refers to “not to esteem overmuch, be vain or arrogant concerning his own self” “than he ought” which means “than is necessary, in need of, behooved, right and proper” “to think” or “to understand, be wise, be judged or what one's opinion is”. Paul exhorted the believers in Rome by God's “grace” not to “esteem themselves too highly” or be “arrogant” concerning themselves.

The verse continues, “but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.”. Paul added the words, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “to think soberly” which means “to have understanding, be wise, feel or have an opinion of oneself in a right or sound mind”, “according as” which means “like unto the way” “God” or “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “has dealt” which refers to “has divided or separated into parts or distributed” “to every man” or “to each, all, the whole and every person whether male or female” “the measure” which means “the determined extent, portioned, due and fit limit” “of faith” or “pertaining to the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ”. Paul desired for his believing readers in Rome to “think humbly” about themselves because God gave to every person “the determined extent” of “belief and trust”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how God has “given” to everyone the amount of “faith” necessary to “believe” in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and “Savior” of the world. No one has this power other than God, and He has “given” provision for everyone to “be saved”. God provided His Son Jesus to die for the sins of the world, be raised from the dead and give “everlasting life” to everyone who “believes”. This should cause everyone who reads these words to “think soberly” and realize God is the source of the “faith” to believe in God's “salvation” plan.

Next time we see Paul tell his believing readers in Rome, “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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