Romans 12 10

Romans 12:10 kjv

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Romans 12:10 nkjv

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

Romans 12:10 niv

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10 esv

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:10 nlt

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Romans 12 verses

Romans 12 10 Meaning

Brotherly love should be for one another. Be eager to show respect and honor for others above yourselves. This is an expression of selfless affection and esteem within the Christian community, valuing others as more important than oneself.

Romans 12 10 Context

Romans chapter 12 begins a new section of Paul's letter, shifting from theological exposition to practical application. After laying out the doctrines of salvation by grace through faith in Romans 1-11, Paul exhorts believers to live out their faith in daily life. He calls for them to present their bodies as living sacrifices, to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, and to use their spiritual gifts in unity for the building up of the church.

Verses 3-8 detail the importance of humility and the proper use of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ. Chapter 12:9-21 provides specific instructions on how believers should live in relation to one another and to the world. This particular verse, Romans 12:10, is part of a list of commands in verses 9-13 that describe genuine Christian love in action. The immediate context is a call to active, demonstrable affection and honor within the Christian community, emphasizing mutual respect and selflessness. The historical context is the burgeoning Roman church, a diverse community of Jewish and Gentile believers, who needed strong exhortations for unity and mutual edification amidst potential social and cultural pressures.

Romans 12 10 Word Analysis

• Philadelphia (φιλαδελφίᾳ - philadelphía): This Greek word literally means "brother-loving" (philos - "loving" + adelphos - "brother"). It denotes the special affectionate love shared between siblings. In the New Testament, it is used to describe the affectionate bond within the family of God, the church. It signifies a deep, brotherly affection and closeness that goes beyond mere acquaintance, calling for warmth and tenderness.

• Eis (εἰς - eis): "Into" or "towards." Here, it indicates the direction or object of the love and honor. It means brotherly love should be directed "towards" and expressed "in" one another.

• Allelois (ἀλλήλους - allēloys): "One another." This is a reciprocal pronoun, highlighting the mutual nature of the command. The love and honor are not to be one-sided but exchanged between believers. This reciprocal action strengthens the community.

• Proïstēmi (προιστάμενοι - proïstámenoi): This verb can mean "to lead," "to manage," "to take the lead," or "to prefer," "to be devoted to," "to honor." In this context, combined with the subsequent phrase "one another in showing honor," it strongly suggests actively striving to honor, esteem, and defer to others. It implies taking initiative in valuing others. It comes from "pro" (before) and "histēmi" (to stand), suggesting placing others "before" oneself.

• Timē (τιμῇ - timē): "Honor," "value," "respect," "high regard." It denotes assigning worth and showing deep respect. This is not mere courtesy but a recognition of the inherent dignity of each believer as a child of God, reflecting Christ's own regard for His people. It is an active giving of esteem.

• Allōn (ἄλλων - allōn): "Of others." This is the genitive plural of "allos," meaning "other." It reinforces the focus away from self and onto fellow believers.

• Hyperekeinon (ὑπερεχόντων - hyperekóntōn): This word means "surpassing," "excelling," "holding precedence," or "holding in higher regard." In conjunction with "showing honor," it paints a vivid picture: believers should be actively engaged in preferring one another, recognizing that others, by God's grace and their relationship in Christ, are worthy of special honor, perhaps even to the point of deeming them superior in certain respects. It signifies a conscious effort to give the benefit of the doubt and to recognize the strengths and blessings God has bestowed upon others.

Words-group by words-group Analysis

• "Philadelphia eis allēloys": This phrase establishes the foundational element of Christian community: genuine, heartfelt affection directed towards fellow believers. It’s not just a generalized goodwill but a specific, familial love characteristic of God’s children.
• "Proïstēmenoi eis allēlous en tō timā": This emphasizes the active nature of honor. It’s not passive but requires diligent effort ("proïstēmenoi") to put others forward. The aim is mutual honor ("eis allēlous en tō timā").
• "Proïstēmenoi allōn en tō hyperekonte": This clarifies the depth of the honor. It means to actively outdo or out-honor others ("proïstēmenoi allōn") by esteeming them as surpassing or more important than oneself ("en tō hyperekonte"). This is a call to exceptional humility and esteem.

Romans 12 10 Bonus Section

The concept of "outdoing one another in showing honor" directly challenges the competitive and prideful tendencies of the fallen human nature. It mirrors Christ's teaching that the greatest among you shall be your servant (Matthew 23:11). This attitude counteracts self-promotion and instead cultivates a sacrificial love that seeks the best for others, recognizing that all blessings and abilities flow from God and are given for the good of the body. It's a continuous, intentional practice that requires spiritual discipline and a constant reliance on the Holy Spirit's enablement. This emphasis on reciprocal honor is crucial for the healthy functioning and unity of the church, preventing divisions and fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Romans 12 10 Commentary

This verse calls for a proactive, humble, and affectionate approach within the Christian fellowship. It’s an actionable command to cultivate genuine "brotherly love," a deep familial affection that defines believers. This love is not merely emotional but manifests in a deliberate practice of "showing honor," and indeed "outdoing one another" in honoring each other. This means actively seeking opportunities to esteem others, valuing their contributions, and recognizing their spiritual worth above our own. It's about a selfless disposition, putting the interests and honor of others ahead of our own. This demonstrates the transformative work of Christ within believers and fosters unity and mutual edification in the body of Christ. This commitment to preferring others reflects Christ's own humble service and example of valuing us supremely.

Practical Usage Examples:

• When in a group discussion, actively listen to and affirm others' contributions before sharing your own thoughts, even if they differ.
• Publicly acknowledge and praise a fellow believer’s God-given talent or act of service, rather than focusing only on your own.
• Offer help or support to a fellow believer even when it requires personal sacrifice or inconvenience, seeing their need as more pressing.
• When faced with differing opinions, seek to understand the other person's perspective and assume positive intent, giving them the benefit of the doubt.