John Calvin Commentary Romans 12:16

"Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits." — Romans 12:16 (ASV)

Not thinking arrogantly of yourselves, etc. The Apostle uses words in Greek that are more significant and more suitable to the antithesis. For example, he says, “Not thinking of high things.” By this he means it is not characteristic of a Christian to ambitiously aspire to those things by which they may excel others, nor to assume a lofty appearance, but on the contrary, to exercise humility and meekness. For by these we excel before the Lord, and not by pride and contempt of the brethren. A precept is suitably added to the preceding, for nothing tends more to break that unity which has been mentioned than when we elevate ourselves and aspire to something higher, so that we may rise to a higher position. I take the term humble in the neuter gender to complete the antithesis.

Here then, all ambition is condemned, along with that elation of mind which insinuates itself under the name of magnanimity. For the chief virtue of the faithful is moderation, or rather, lowliness of mind, which always prefers to give honor to others rather than to take it from them.

Closely allied to this is what follows: for nothing swells people's minds so much as a high notion of their own wisdom. His desire then was that we should lay this aside, hear others, and heed their counsel. Erasmus has rendered φρονίμους, arrogantes—arrogant; but the rendering is strained and frigid; for Paul would, in this case, repeat the same word without any meaning. However, the most appropriate remedy for curing arrogance is that one should not be overly wise in one's own estimation.