“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.”
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 you. — Paul speaks from apostolic grace (charis), warning against hyperphroneo (thinking beyond, arrogance). Sober judgment (sōphroneō, prudent thinking) acknowledges that faith (pistis) is divinely distributed (diaresis) not earned. Each person's metron pisteōs (measure of faith) is God's allocation, not personal achievement.
Church Fathers on Romans 12:3
“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 has dealt to every man the measure of faith.” After saying above, “I beseech you by the mercies,” here he says again, “by the grace.” Observe the teacher's lowliness of mind, observe a spirit quite subdued! He means to say that he is in no respect worthy to be trusted in such an exhortation and…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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