Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.”
The basis is love. Paul reminds us that we are to love one another. He spells that out with nine specific instructions in Romans 12:9-10. We honor fellow believers because Fellow believers are created in God’s image. If we love God, if we honor God, then we love and honor that which He has made.
They are brothers and sisters in Christ. 1 John 3:14 says, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” Our faith in Christ knits our hearts together.
We are glad for the ways in which they are building up the Body of Christ. John Wesley and George Whitefield had parted ways over a doctrinal disagreement. Wesley was later asked if he would see Whitefield in Heaven. Wesley said, “No, I will not see him.” His questioner, shocked, said, “You mean you don’t think that Whitefield will be with the Lord?” “No,” replied Wesley, “He will be so close to the Lord that the glory will prevent me from seeing him.”
The condition is active. It tells us to outdo one another and prefer each other in the church. It implies activity in promoting another person.
Paul is saying, “Be alert to what they are contributing and honor them.” “God’s call to the church is to prefer one another to succeed” (Simon Schrock). The Christian “is content to be outshone by others in gifts and esteem, so that the crown of Christ may shine the brighter” (Thomas Watson).
Its practice is workable. When we prefer one another, it means that: We listen to one another, instead of thinking about what we’re going to say next.
We avoid one-upsmanship. It is all right to converse about a subject, yet we don’t want to put others down by bragging about our accomplishments in that subject.
We have confidence in another’s gifts/abilities/gifts/talents to do a job, even though we might be better qualified. This means we refrain from criticizing from the sidelines. It also implies a willingness to step aside so that someone else may engage in the activity, office, or event.
We offer help before being asked. We do this to be truly helpful, to share of ourselves so that the other person might succeed.
We don’t care who receives the credit. “There is no limit to how much can be accomplished as long as you don’t care who receives the credit.”
We offer the best to others while we take what is left. Abraham and Lot are the perfect examples of this in Genesis 13:9.
We don’t care whether we were thanked for our efforts.
Warren Wiersbe has written this prayer: “O God, help me to get my work done, and it makes no difference who gets the honor, as long as You get the glory.” Amen.
All Scripture references are from the KJV
Craig Alan Myers – CBC Executive Board
