Romans 12:3
New International Version
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

New Living Translation
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

English Standard Version
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Berean Standard Bible
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

Berean Literal Bible
For through the grace having been given to me, I say to everyone being among you, not to be high-minded above what it behooves you to think, but to think so as to be sober-minded, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

NASB 1995
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

NASB 1977
For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Legacy Standard Bible
For through the grace given to me I say to each one among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound thinking, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Amplified Bible
For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service].

Christian Standard Bible
For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.

American Standard Version
For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.

Contemporary English Version
I realize God has treated me with undeserved grace, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you.

English Revised Version
For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Because of the kindness that God has shown me, I ask you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on what God has given each of you as believers.

Good News Translation
And because of God's gracious gift to me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you.

International Standard Version
For by the grace given to me I ask every one of you not to think of yourself more highly than you should think, rather to think of yourself with sober judgment on the measure of faith that God has assigned each of you.

Majority Standard Bible
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

NET Bible
For by the grace given to me I say to every one of you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think, but to think with sober discernment, as God has distributed to each of you a measure of faith.

New Heart English Bible
For I say, through the grace that was given me, to everyone among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.

Webster's Bible Translation
For through the grace given to me, I say, 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.

Weymouth New Testament
For through the authority graciously given to me I warn every individual among you not to value himself unduly, but to cultivate sobriety of judgement in accordance with the amount of faith which God has allotted to each one.

World English Bible
For I say through the grace that was given me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For I say, through the grace that was given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think above what it ought to think; but to think so as to think wisely, as to each God dealt a measure of faith,

Berean Literal Bible
For through the grace having been given to me, I say to everyone being among you, not to be high-minded above what it behooves you to think, but to think so as to be sober-minded, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

Young's Literal Translation
For I say, through the grace that was given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think above what it behoveth to think; but to think so as to think wisely, as to each God did deal a measure of faith,

Smith's Literal Translation
For I say, by the race given me, to every one being with you, not to entertain a high opinion of one's self above what is fitting to think: but to think to be discreet, as God has divided the measure of faith to each.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For I say, by the grace that is given me, to all that are among you, not to be more wise than it behoveth to be wise, but to be wise unto sobriety, and according as God hath divided to every one the measure of faith.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For I say, through the grace that has been given to me, to all who are among you: Taste no more than it is necessary to taste, but taste unto sobriety and just as God has distributed a share of the faith to each one.

New American Bible
For by the grace given to me I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than one ought to think, but to think soberly, each according to the measure of faith that God has apportioned.

New Revised Standard Version
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For I say, through the grace which is given to me, to all of you, not to think of yourselves beyond what you ought to think; but to think soberly, every man according to the measure of faith which God has distributed to him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
I say to all of you by the grace that is given to me, that you should not have self-esteem beyond what is necessary to have self-esteem, but you should have self-esteem and modesty as God distributes faith to every person by a measure.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one that is among you, that he must not think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but that he be disposed to think modestly, as God has distributed to each a measure of faith.

Godbey New Testament
For I speak, through the grace which has been given unto me, for every one who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, as God has imparted to each one the measure of faith.

Haweis New Testament
For, I say, by the grace which is given unto me, to every one that is among you, not to think of himself above what he ought to think; but to think soberly, as God has divided to every one the measure of faith.

Mace New Testament
Now it is by virtue of my apostolical commission, that I charge every man among you, not to entertain too high an opinion of himself; but modestly consider, that 'tis God who has dealt to every man his proportion of spiritual gifts.

Weymouth New Testament
For through the authority graciously given to me I warn every individual among you not to value himself unduly, but to cultivate sobriety of judgement in accordance with the amount of faith which God has allotted to each one.

Worrell New Testament
For I say, through the grace that was given to me, to every one among you, not to think of himself more highly than he night to think, but so to think as to think soberly, according as God divided to each one a measure of faith.

Worsley New Testament
For by the grace conferred on me I charge every one among you, not to think of himself above what he ought to think: but to think with sobriety, according as God hath divided to every man the measure of faith.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Living Sacrifices
2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function,…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. / To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, / to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ...

Ephesians 4:7
Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

1 Peter 4:10
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.

1 Corinthians 4:7
For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

Galatians 6:3
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27
The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. / For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. / For the body does not consist of one part, but of many. ...

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Corinthians 3:5-7
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. / I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

2 Corinthians 10:13
We, however, will not boast beyond our limits, but only within the field of influence that God has assigned to us—a field that reaches even to you.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. / There are different ministries, but the same Lord. / There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people.

1 Corinthians 12:18
But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design.

1 Corinthians 12:11
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.

Proverbs 25:27
It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.


Treasury of Scripture

For I say, through the grace given to 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 has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

I say.

Romans 12:6-8
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; …

Romans 1:5
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Romans 15:15,16
Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, …

not to.

Romans 11:20,25
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: …

Proverbs 16:18,19
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall…

Proverbs 25:27
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

soberly.

1 Timothy 2:9,15
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; …

Titus 2:2,4,6,12
That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience…

1 Peter 1:13
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

according.

Romans 12:6
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

John 3:34
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

1 Corinthians 4:7
For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

Jump to Previous
Accordance Allotted Amount Apportioned Authority Cultivate Dealt Faith Grace Graciously Highly Individual Judgement Judgment Measure Ought Reasonably Soberly Sobriety Sound Think Unduly Value Warn
Jump to Next
Accordance Allotted Amount Apportioned Authority Cultivate Dealt Faith Grace Graciously Highly Individual Judgement Judgment Measure Ought Reasonably Soberly Sobriety Sound Think Unduly Value Warn
Romans 12
1. God's mercies must move us to offer ourselves.
3. No man must think too well of himself;
6. but everyone attend to the calling wherein he is placed.
9. Love, and many other duties are required of us.
19. Revenge is especially forbidden.














For by the grace given me
The word "grace" in Greek is "χάρις" (charis), which signifies unmerited favor or divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration and sanctification. Paul acknowledges that his authority and ability to instruct come not from his own merit but from the grace bestowed upon him by God. This sets a tone of humility and divine dependence, reminding believers that any spiritual insight or authority they possess is a gift from God, not a personal achievement.

I say to every one of you
Paul's message is universal, directed to "every one" in the Roman church, emphasizing the communal nature of the Christian faith. The Greek word for "say" is "λέγω" (lego), which implies a thoughtful and deliberate communication. This phrase underscores the importance of the message and the responsibility of each believer to heed the apostle's instruction.

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought
The Greek word for "think" is "φρονέω" (phroneo), which means to set one's mind on or to have an opinion. Paul warns against "ὑπερφρονέω" (hyperphroneo), or thinking too highly of oneself, which can lead to pride and division within the body of Christ. This admonition is a call to humility, recognizing that self-exaltation is contrary to the example of Christ, who humbled Himself for our sake.

but think of yourself with sober judgment
"Sober judgment" translates from the Greek "σωφρονέω" (sophroneo), meaning to be of sound mind or to exercise self-control. This phrase encourages believers to have a balanced and realistic view of themselves, acknowledging their strengths and weaknesses. It is a call to self-awareness and humility, recognizing one's place within the community of faith.

according to the measure of faith God has given you
The "measure of faith" refers to the unique portion or degree of faith that God has distributed to each believer. The Greek word "μέτρον" (metron) implies a standard or measure, suggesting that God has apportioned faith to each individual according to His divine wisdom and purpose. This phrase highlights the diversity within the body of Christ, where each member is equipped differently but equally valuable. It encourages believers to embrace their God-given roles and to serve faithfully within their capacity, fostering unity and mutual edification in the church.

(3) Having thus stated the broad principle which is to govern the conduct of the Christian, the Apostle now goes on to apply it to certain details, and, first, his object is to secure that temper in the members of the Roman Church which will best enable them to act with union and efficiency.

Through the grace given unto me--i.e., in virtue of his apostolic authority.

To every man that is among you.--A rather more pointed expression than simply "to you all," "to each one of you severally and individually."

Not to think of himself . . .--There is a play upon words in this phrase, and those which follow, which is not preserved, and can hardly be preserved, in the English. "Not to be high-minded beyond that which he ought to be minded, but to be minded unto sober-mindedness." Our words, "to be minded," "high-minded," &c., very nearly express the sense of the Greek, which is to have the thoughts and feelings habitually turned in a certain direction. This is brought out with emphatic repetition in the phrase "to be minded unto the being sober-minded," i.e., to keep sobriety of mind constantly in view as the object or ideal towards which all the thoughts and feelings converge.

According as God hath dealt to every man.--The standard of action which each Christian ought to propose to himself should be in proportion to the amount of his faith as given to him by God. He who has the strongest faith may assume the highest standard, and offer himself for the highest offices, and so on down the scale. It is, however, essential that the estimate which each man puts upon the strength of his own faith, should be thoroughly single-minded and sincere, nor biased by self-love. The Apostle assumes that this will be the case.

Verse 3. - For I say, through the grace given unto me (the grace of apostleship to the Gentiles (cf. Romans 1:5; Romans 15:15). He is about to warn against either neglecting or exceeding the special graces given to each person; and he may, perhaps, mean to imply here that he himself, in giving these admonitions, is exercising, without exceeding, his own special grace) to every man that is among you (this is emphatic. The pretensions to superiority of some at Corinth who possessed more showy gifts than others had shown how the admonition might need to be pressed on all; and in a community like that of the Romans there might well be a special tendency to assumption on the part of some), not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly (rather, as in the Revised Version so to think as to think soberly, or, more literally, to be minded so as to be sober-minded), according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Why of faith? One might have expected the expression to be, "of grace," as in ver. 6, "according to the grace that is given to us;" or as in Ephesians 4:7, "according to the measure [μέτρον, as here] of the gift of Christ." It seems to be because by faith we become receptive of the grace given to each of us. Hence the faith assigned by God to each is regarded as "the regulative standard; the subjective condition" (Meyer)of the several gifts or graces. Cf. also Matthew 17:20 and 1 Corinthians 13:2, where miraculous powers are spoken of as dependent on the amount of faith. Tholuck explains thus: "Faith in an unseen Christ brings man into connection with a world unseen, in which he moves without distinctly apprehending it; and in proportion as he learns to look with faith to that world, the more is the measure of his spiritual powers elevated."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

by
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

grace
χάριτος (charitos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485: From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.

given
δοθείσης (dotheisēs)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

me
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

I say
Λέγω (Legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

to every one
παντὶ (panti)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

of
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

you:
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

Do not think of yourself
ὑπερφρονεῖν (hyperphronein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 5252: To have high notions, be over-proud. From huper and phroneo; to esteem oneself overmuch, i.e. Be vain or arrogant.

more highly
παρ’ (par’)
Preposition
Strong's 3844: Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

than you ought,
δεῖ (dei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1163: Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

think of yourself
φρονεῖν (phronein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 5426: (a) I think, (b) I think, judge, (c) I direct the mind to, seek for, (d) I observe, (e) I care for.

with
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

sober judgment,
σωφρονεῖν (sōphronein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 4993: To be of sound mind, be sober-minded, exercise self-control. From sophron; to be of sound mind, i.e. Sane, moderate.

according to
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

[the] measure
μέτρον (metron)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3358: An apparently primary word; a measure, literally or figuratively; by implication, a limited portion.

of faith
πίστεως (pisteōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

has given
ἐμέρισεν (emerisen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3307: From meros; to part, i.e. to apportion, bestow, share, or to disunite, differ.

[you].
ἑκάστῳ (hekastō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1538: Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every.


Links
Romans 12:3 NIV
Romans 12:3 NLT
Romans 12:3 ESV
Romans 12:3 NASB
Romans 12:3 KJV

Romans 12:3 BibleApps.com
Romans 12:3 Biblia Paralela
Romans 12:3 Chinese Bible
Romans 12:3 French Bible
Romans 12:3 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: Romans 12:3 For I say through the grace that (Rom. Ro)
Romans 12:2
Top of Page
Top of Page