Fathers

Romans 12

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I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 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 hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 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. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

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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 ↗