The Text verse is Romans 12:10. We studied most of it earlier in the Series. But one phrase (“in honour”) yet needs to be developed. I’m actually calling it the “honouring one another” clause.

“In honour preferring one another.” Romans 12:10, and we’ve already defined the participle “preferring.” It means “to let the other person go first.” When viewed objectively, anyway.

But “proegeomai” can also carry the idea of “you going first,” not in a selfish sense, of course. Of “you going first” in doing right. In setting an example! One Bible teacher translates the verb “to outdo” the others!

But wait a minute.

“Outdoing” him or her … in what area?

How?

In the area of “honour!”

Romans 12:10 again, its second half … “in honour preferring one another.”

The noun “honour” is “time” in Greek, and is pronounced “tee-may.”

It means “an evaluation,” a declaration of what a person or thing is “worth” to you!

The emphasis here is that our respect for the brethren should be on the “high” end of the scales! Let them be “heavy” on your “values chart!”

Treat them with dignity, not with “frivolity, lightness” and certainly not with “disdain.”

I am to so evaluate my friends in Christ!

As an example, look at Galatians 6:10. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, ESPECIALLY unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Be good to everyone.

But, if for some reason a choice must be made … sharing with either the sinner or the saint … then undoubtedly (Paul tells us) choose the Brother in Christ!

That’s “in honour preferring one another!”

Never “belittle” one another!

After all, that “fellow follower” in Christ … he or she is the very habiting place for the Holy Spirit of God, in this age of Grace anyway.

Thus honor him with that astounding fact in mind!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Twice I find this duty we Christians have, mutually.

Once as a prayer: “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be LIKEMINDED one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6, “be likeminded one toward another!

Then once as a “way of life” statement: “Be of the SAME MIND one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” Romans 12 (Paul’s great Classic Piece on Christian behavior), verse 16.

By looking at both these references simultaneously, we might be able to build a synthesis of intent. What did the Apostle (Paul) mean? What does the Holy Spirit have in mind here?

The state of being “likeminded” cannot possible mean fully agreeing with every thought and intent and feeling of all the brothers and sisters at church. Not in all areas of life.

One might like cherry pie, the other chocolate cake!

But likemindedness does mean “being willing to understand” the feelings and thoughts and intentions of the brethren. Getting “into his or her mind,” to empathize with their point of view.

The “likeminded” word is actually “phroneo,” meaning “to have understanding.” To “feel from the heart,” from “deep down inside” anyway. “Phren” is the Greek noun for one’s “midriff, diaphragm!” Then one’s “heart.” Next it came to mean one’s “brain, mind.”

See if you can figure … where that brother or sister is “coming from,” in their convictions or aspirations or actions.

That’s being “likeminded.”

Another aspect of this grace is seen in Romans 12:16, printed earlier for your perusal. We are to “condescend” to people of “low estate.” Here’s the essence: “Getting down on someone’s level, without feeling you are superior to him or her in any way!”

Even “be not wise” employs the “phronimos” stem.

We are not being commanded “unanimity,” rather “unity.”

Here’s Paul’s “ideal” in this area, written to the schismatic Corinthians even! “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1st Corinthians 1:10, Wow!

This verse deserves a whole Lesson, or more!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

I needed the material just written today! I feel the Lord may use these very words of Scripture … to make me a better follower of Him, of Jesus my Saviour.

 

Paul wrote the words, to the Galatian Christians in fact. (They were at times his most “troublesome” group of Believers, it seems.) This verse represents a true “one-to-another” Text, but again in a negative sense!

It would be most pertinent when a congregation of Christians might be having trouble properly “loving one another!”

Here is Galatians 5:15. “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” Wow, that this line was even necessary is astounding!

The “if” in the verse (“ei” in Greek) often means “since.” In other words, the biting and devouring were already happening!

“Biting” is “dakno,” used only here in all the Bible! Present tense, too, biting and biting and biting! It means “to wound, cut, lacerate, with one’s teeth!” Biting to HURT someone!

“Devouring” is “katesthio,” meaning “to gobble down.” Swallowing them whole, these targets of one’s hatred!

Keep this up, Paul warns, and you will “be consumed” one of another! The verb means “to spend up.” Or “to use until something is gone!” Also “to destroy!” Until nothing is left!

Christians at war!

With each other!

Now, look at the verse immediately preceding our Text today. “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Galatians 5:14

Then the verse following our Text. “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16

Seeing the surroundings (the “context” it’s often called) sure does help!

The solution, the antidote, the preventative … to such “in-fighting” among the brethren … is LOVING ONE ANOTHER more deeply and BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT more seriously.

No one needs to say any more.

Ponder these great facts.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Today’s Study Verse is Galatians 5:26. “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

I heard a godly Preacher say the other day, “Let’s ‘unpack’ this portion of Scripture.” He respectfully meant that the Holy Spirit heavily “loads” the Word of God with manifold meaning! And any single Portion of Scripture thus can be “mined” for (spiritual) nuggets of gold, precious treasure indeed! (Listen to Psalm 19:10 describe the Bible’s eternal Truths. “More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” Wow!)

So again … Galatians 5:26 … “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Let’s reverently “analyze” these words, a Greek derivative meaning “to loosen” the meaning, as if “untying a hard knot!”

“Let us (not) be” is the verse’s first verb. Technically “ginomai” here is NOT a command. It’s rather written in the subjunctive mood. It is a suggestion, a desire, the “ideal” Paul is wishing for his people, the Christian converts in the Galatian Churches.

The word “desirous of vain glory” translates a single Greek adjective! And “kenodoxos” means “empty honor!” Each person craving for personal fame, reputation, power, sway!

The verb “provoking” is “prokaleo,” really “calling forth,” as if “inviting someone to do battle!” Challenging your brother or sister to war! Stirring up a conflict! This is amazing. (“Bring it on,” one to another? Hardly God’s perfect Will!)

Then comes today’s “negative” one-to-another thought. Do NOT be “envying one another.”

Here the Greek verb is “phthoneo,” the only time this VERB appears in Scripture. (Though its noun form occurs 9 times.) It means “to envy” of course, but in this sense: “to bear a grudge!” Another lexicon says: “to have ‘ill will’ toward a person!” To hold “malice” in one’s heart … against a fellow Christian. To be jealous. (Although sometimes “jealousy” is defined as “fear of loss.” And “envy” as “desire for gain.”)

In other words, we SHOULD love one another and encourage one another and a dozen other “good” activities as well. But we must not ( strongly unadvised) ENVY each other!

Bury the hatchet!

Forget that … “I’m getting even” feeling!

Do not want … what the other person has … be content!

Count YOUR blessings!

One more time … today’s Verse. “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Let’s pray … “Lord, help us to live these words in our various relationships one with another, as Believers in Thee. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Today’s verse does not make everyone’s “list,” those who have written about the “one-to-another” Texts of Scripture. And it does have a negative connotation. But it also reveals a critically important aspect of growth in the Christian life! Let me explain further.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

Two days ago we discussed the admonition “to exhort” one another. That is, “to encourage” each other. So here’s today’s emphasis: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

Do not “forsake,” is a verb meaning “to leave behind.” Do not abandon! Do not desert! Do not leave helpless! We are being given a practice that is to be followed for the duration of our Christian lives. “Forsaking” here is a present participle. Ongoing, durative, habitual action is being implied. A lifestyle!

The term “assembling together” is “episunagoge.” A compound consisting of “epi” plus “sun” plus “ago.” And “ago” is the verb that means “to lead, to bring, to lay hold of!” The preposition “sun” means “together.” And the first syllable “epi” intensifies the whole idea. It simply means “our coming together” … as a group to worship God!”

In the word “sunagoge” the Hebrew/Jewish idea of a “synagogue” has developed! Which was for the Jews, still is …  a building, a place to come together as a group … to meet for a single purpose!

And Paul (the likely writer of Hebrews, humanly speaking) knows that some in the Hebrew Christian movement have already stopped attending the worship meetings! “As the manner of some is!” Some who clearly have already “forsaken” the services!

And “the day” that is nearing … no doubt speaking of a time of intense persecution, hardship, and trial on the Believers who love Jesus Christ our Saviour. And that time did come, very soon, for those to whom the Holy Spirit was speaking, 70 AD and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.

I write this Lesson on a Saturday morning.

How timely!

We can practice this “one to another” technique tomorrow.

Assemble, come together, with the fellow brothers and sisters in Christ you know. In other words, go to Church! In your location, hearing God’s preached Word. Singing the hymns of the Faith, our Faith! The “Faith of our Fathers!”

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell