Think Soberly
Rom 12:3
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a (the) measure of faith.
When it says to not think of himself more highly than we ought, we must be aware that in the original language, the word "himself"is in itallics and is not there but was added by the translators to convey what they believed to true. The words "think highly" comes from the Greek, hyperphroneō which forms from two words hyper, which alone is translated; for, of, above and even abundantly or exceedingly, and phroneō which is translated; think, learn, minded. The root of this word phroneō is phrēn which is translated understanding but has reference to judgement or even heart.
Understanding this word becomes important as we look at the next part of this verse. We should think of ourselves soberly. Soberly is the Greek word; sōphroneō which is again from two words. It is clear that the second word is phroneō, but the revelation what the first part of this word is. it is the word; sōzō where we get saved, and know that it also refers to rescue, deliverance, healing, prosperity, and healing.
Really what Paul is saying here is to not over think about yourself, your problems, your issues, but to sozo think about yourself. Think of yourself as delivered, rescued, healed, prospered, and made whole, with nothing lacking and nothing broken. This why he goes right into the measure of faith, because thinking of yourself as sozo if the result of faith.
Paul began this verse talking about grace. The way the punctuation is inserted in to the text and the way they translate it, its as if Paul is speaking by a grace that was given to him words that were for all that are among them. But when I look at the interlinear, it appears more likely to me that he was declaring that grace was given to everyone among them. Which makes more sense as we discover the meaning of soberly as meaning to be understanding that we are sōzō (saved) . And then realize that the end of this verse deals with each being given the measure of faith. Suddenly we see a parallel between what Paul wrote to the Ephesians in chapter, verse 8. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,"
Mar 5:15
Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
Luke 8:35
Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
Sōzō thinking will cause fear in the religious.
Your thinking challenges their limited religious traditions.
Rom 12:3
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
2Co 5:13
For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
Tit 2:6
Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded,
1Pe 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
Rom 12:3
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a (the) measure of faith.
When it says to not think of himself more highly than we ought, we must be aware that in the original language, the word "himself"is in itallics and is not there but was added by the translators to convey what they believed to true. The words "think highly" comes from the Greek, hyperphroneō which forms from two words hyper, which alone is translated; for, of, above and even abundantly or exceedingly, and phroneō which is translated; think, learn, minded. The root of this word phroneō is phrēn which is translated understanding but has reference to judgement or even heart.
Understanding this word becomes important as we look at the next part of this verse. We should think of ourselves soberly. Soberly is the Greek word; sōphroneō which is again from two words. It is clear that the second word is phroneō, but the revelation what the first part of this word is. it is the word; sōzō where we get saved, and know that it also refers to rescue, deliverance, healing, prosperity, and healing.
Really what Paul is saying here is to not over think about yourself, your problems, your issues, but to sozo think about yourself. Think of yourself as delivered, rescued, healed, prospered, and made whole, with nothing lacking and nothing broken. This why he goes right into the measure of faith, because thinking of yourself as sozo if the result of faith.
Paul began this verse talking about grace. The way the punctuation is inserted in to the text and the way they translate it, its as if Paul is speaking by a grace that was given to him words that were for all that are among them. But when I look at the interlinear, it appears more likely to me that he was declaring that grace was given to everyone among them. Which makes more sense as we discover the meaning of soberly as meaning to be understanding that we are sōzō (saved) . And then realize that the end of this verse deals with each being given the measure of faith. Suddenly we see a parallel between what Paul wrote to the Ephesians in chapter, verse 8. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,"
Mar 5:15
Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
Luke 8:35
Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
Sōzō thinking will cause fear in the religious.
Your thinking challenges their limited religious traditions.
Rom 12:3
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
2Co 5:13
For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.
Tit 2:6
Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded,
1Pe 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.