Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Romans 12:16

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Be of the same mind one towards another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate." Here again he insists much upon lowliness of mind, the subject he had started this exhortation with. For there was a probability of their being full of high-mindedness, both on account of their city, and from sundry other causes; he therefore keeps drawing off the morbid matter, and lowers the inflammation. For there is nothing that makes such schisms in the Churches as vanity does. …

Homily on Romans 22 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Again he discusses humble-mindedness, for naturally in Rome, as the capital city, there was the disease of pride. The meaning of what is said is this: do you consider yourself a great person? Consider your brother the same. Do you suspect that he is small and lowly in heart? Pronounce the same judgment about yourself as well, and in this way you will humble every lofty-mindedness and will not disdain him as though you were better than him, but will honor him as your equal, just as you honor yourself. …

Commentary on Romans ↗

Irenaeus

He taught by His commandment that we who have been set free should, when hungry, take that food which is given by God; and that, when placed in the exalted position of every grace [that can be received], we should not, either by trusting to works of righteousness, or when adorned with super-eminent [gifts of] ministration, by any means be lifted up with pride, nor should we tempt God, but should feel humility in all things, and have ready to hand [this saying], "Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God." As also the apostle taught, …

Against Heresies Book V ↗

Western Saints

Gregory the Dialogist

For knowledge is a virtue, but humility is the guardian of virtue. It remains therefore that in all that it knows the mind should humble itself, lest the wind of pride carry away what the virtue of knowledge has gathered. When you do good things, brothers, always recall to memory the evil things you have done, so that while fault is carefully observed, the mind may never carelessly rejoice in good work. …

Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 7 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Second, concord consists in unity of opinion. In regard to this he says: being of one mind one towards another, i.e., agree on the same matters: that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you (1 Cor 1:10); complete my joy by being of the same mind (Phil 2:2). Yet it should be noted that there are two kinds of opinion: one pertains to the intellect's judgment about speculative matters, such as are considered in geometry and astronomy. …

Commentary on Romans ↗