Romans 12:3

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

And because of God’s unearned favor shown to me [i.e., in appointing me to be an apostle], I am telling every person among you not to think he is more important than he really is. Instead, he should have a sensible estimate [of his gifts] in harmony with the degree of faith God has given to each person.

Cross References

Luke 18:11

The Pharisee stood up [conspicuously] and prayed about himself this way [i.e., bragging to God about how good he was], ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, sexually unfaithful to their mates, or even like that tax collector [over there].

John 3:34

For the One whom God has sent [i.e., Jesus] speaks the words of God, for He [i.e., God] does not give the Holy Spirit in a limited quantity [i.e., to Jesus. See next verse].

Romans 1:5

It was through Jesus, and for His name’s sake, that we [i.e., I] received God’s favor to become an apostle, in order to bring about obedience based on faith from among people of all nations.

Romans 11:20

True, but they [i.e., the Jews] were [really] broken off because they did not believe [in Christ], and you [Gentiles] remain [in God’s favor] because you do believe [in Him]. So, do not become arrogant [about it], but be fearful.

Romans 11:25

For I want you to know this secret, brothers, so you will not become conceited: Part of the Israelites have become [spiritually] insensitive [to God], [and will remain that way] until the fullness of the Gentiles occurs. [Note: As with the Jews (verse 12), “fullness” here may mean either a large or the complete number of Gentiles who will be saved].

Romans 12:16

Do not [try to] pay back a wrong done to you by doing something wrong to the other person. Think about how to live honorably in front of all people.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But I am whatever I am because of God’s unearned favor, and the favor He showed me was not for nothing [i.e., Paul made the most of his conversion by being extra diligent in his service to God]. But I worked harder than all the other apostles, yet it was not I, but God’s favor on me [that accomplished it].

1 Corinthians 3:10

Using the unearned favor shown to me by God [Note: Paul here probably refers to his apostleship and its attending spiritual gifts], as an expert building contractor, I laid the foundation [i.e., in starting the Corinthian church], and someone else is building on it [i.e., Apollos. See verse 6].

1 Corinthians 7:17

Each person should live according to what the Lord has given him and in the state he was when God called him. And this is what I require in all the churches.

2 Corinthians 10:13

But we will not boast beyond our proper boundaries [Note: This may mean that Paul was not attempting to exercise apostolic authority outside the parameters assigned to him by God], but will restrict our boasting to the area assigned to us by God as a field of service, which includes you people [there in Corinth]

2 Corinthians 12:13

For in what way were you people inferior to the rest of the churches, unless it was that I was not a [financial] burden to you? Forgive me for this wrong.

2 Corinthians 12:7

But, so that I would not become too conceited over the tremendous revelations [I received], a “thorn in the flesh” was given to me as a messenger from Satan to torment me. [Note: This “thorn” was probably some physical handicap, possibly defective eyesight. See Gal. 4:14-15; 6:11].

Galatians 6:3

For any person who thinks he is someone [important], when he is really nothing, is self-deceived.

Ephesians 3:2

[Note: Paul here digresses from his prayer, begun in 1:15-16, to explain the circumstances of his being a prisoner on behalf of these Gentiles]. [I assume] you have heard about my commission [to minister] to you, which was given to me by God’s unearned favor.

Ephesians 3:4

So, when you read this you will be able to understand my insight into the secret plan of Christ,

Ephesians 4:16

From Him all [members of] the body are properly joined together by every supporting ligament, as each part contributes to the growth of the body and builds itself up through [mutual] love.

Philippians 2:13

for it is God who is at work in you, both to motivate the desire and to carry out what pleases Him.

Colossians 1:29

This is the reason that I work hard and struggle also, using God’s mighty power which is at work in me.

Colossians 2:13

And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins.

1 Timothy 1:14

[But] the unearned favor of our Lord was given to me in great abundance, producing faith and love which are [found] in [the fellowship of] Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 2:15

But she [i.e., womankind] will be saved [from condemnation, in spite of the “curse” of suffering pain] through childbearing [See Gen. 3:16], provided they [i.e., all women] continue to have faith and love and holiness, along with discretion.

1 Timothy 2:9

I also want the women to dress themselves in proper clothing, with modesty and discretion, not with [elaborately] braided hair, or gold [ornaments], or pearls, or expensive clothing,

Titus 2:12

It instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly desires and to live sensible, righteous and godly lives in this present age,

Titus 2:2

Older men should be sober-minded [See note at I Tim. 3:2], dignified [i.e., respectable], sensible, sound in the faith [or, “in their faith”], in their love and in their perseverance.

Titus 2:4

Then they can train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

Titus 2:6

In the same way, you should exhort the younger men to be sensible.

James 4:6

But He gives [us] more unearned favor [i.e., to overcome the world]. Therefore, the Scripture says [Prov. 3:34], “God opposes proud people, but gives unearned favor to those who are humble.”

1 Peter 1:13

So, gather your thoughts together for action, take control of yourselves and focus your hope completely on God’s unearned favor, which will be brought to you by Jesus Christ when He returns.

1 Peter 4:11

If someone’s gift is speaking, he should [be sure to] say only what God wants him to. If a person’s gift is serving, he should do so by the strength provided by God [who supplies all such gifts]. This is so that, in using all gifts, God may be honored through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs honor and power forever and ever. May it be so.

1 Peter 4:7

But the end of everything [as far as your lives are concerned] is near, so be sensible, and sober [so as to be] prayerful.

1 Peter 5:5

And in the same way, you younger [Christians] should be [respectfully] submissive to the older ones. And all of you should [be willing to] humbly serve one another, for God stands opposed to [the efforts of] proud people, but extends His unearned favor to those [who serve] with humility.

1 Peter 5:8

Be sensible and alert; your enemy the devil is prowling around like a roaring [i.e., hungry] lion looking for someone to [kill and] eat.

3 John 1:9

I wrote a letter to the church [there], but Diotrephes, who loves to be first [in importance] among the members [of the body there], does not receive us [i.e., he did not listen to or acknowledge the authority of us apostles].