READ Romans 15:1-3

The fifteenth chapter of Romans wraps up the focus of the preceding chapter. It also is the beginning of the conclusion of the Book of Romans. Though Paul will make personal comments about his plans, the primary concern of the chapter is for unity in the Roman church. The apparent line of division was between Jewish and Gentile believers.

This morning our focus is upon Romans 15:1-3, "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me."

Chapter 14 dealt at length with the conflict within the Roman church concerning those who, in spiritual weakness, still sought to observe Jewish dietary and holy day restrictions. Therefore, the Apostle Paul continues, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”  We are being taught that those who are strong are to bear with those who do not share that same spiritual maturity.  The primary principle is the law of love in being willing to accommodate weaker brethren rather than be critical of them. Therefore, the Apostle instructed the Roman church to rather “please his neighbor for his good to edification.” The word translated as “please” "please" has the sense of accommodating or otherwise seeking to please another.  Rather than insisting upon our own position, we are taught to accommodate ourselves to our weaker brother so that he is edified. The ultimate example of such charitable deference, found in verse 3, is our Lord. Paul quoted from Psalm 69:9 (a Messianic Psalm), “The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” The greater lesson is that we ought not to live to please ourselves, but rather to please others. That is the essence of agape love.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  Would you say that you’re are stronger than many other believers, or weaker?  Explain.

2.  If you are stronger than some others?  What is your responsibility according to verse one?

3.  Is your faith strong enough to bear the weak, to carry the weak along with you? Justify your answer.

4.  What is the essence of agape love?

5.  What must happen in the heart of a strong believer in order to help a weaker brother? Are you willing to make the necessary sacrifice to bear up others?