12:16a
Live in harmony with one another: The Greek clause is literally “thinking the same thing toward one another.” There are several ways to interpret it. Here are the main ways:
(1) It means to agree in opinion with one another here. It does not mean thinking exactly the same thing, but to have similar opinions on big issues. Differences of opinion on other things do not affect their love for their fellow believers. For example:
Live in agreement with one another (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Be of the same mind toward one another (New American Standard Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, NET Bible, Revised English Bible)
(2) It means to be concern for each believer in the same amount here. For example:
Have the same concern for everyone (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because interpretation (2) is not really fitting to the Greek idiom.
12:16b
Do not be proud: This clause refers to not thinking you are better than other people. Someone of high social status should not think they are a better person than someone of low social status. Someone who has lots of knowledge should not think they are a better person than someone who does not have much knowledge. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
Do not be haughty (English Standard Version)
-or-
Don’t be arrogant (God’s Word)
12:16c
but: Some languages would not consider “enjoy the company of the lowly” as contrasting with “do not be proud” (12:16b). If that is true in your language, do not translate this as contrast. For example, the Otomi Back Translation omits this word and the Tagbanwa Back Translation says:
and
enjoy the company of the lowly: There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase here:
(1) It means adjust your thinking and have a relationship with people of low social status here. For example:
make friends with those who seem unimportant (New Century Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, REV, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)
(2) It means adjust your thinking and accept that you should do deeds of low social status here. For example:
accept humble duties (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because many English versions support it.
12:16d
Do not be conceited: This clause indicates that believers should not think that they are wise people. Here are other ways to translate this clause:
Do not think of yourselves as wise (Good News Translation)
-or-
Don’t regard yourselves as being wise people
conceited: This word means “to understand events and know the right action.” See how you translated the word “wise” in 1:14 or the word “wisdom” in 11:33.
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