Romans 15:1-3

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please Himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me" [Psalm 69:9].

Paul continues the theme from chapter 14 regarding the strong and weak brethren. And he continues the theme from chapter 12 as well, that we should love one another in view of God’s mercy toward us. He also wraps up the main purpose of his teaching with v13 of chapter 15. Romans 15:14 on through to the end of Romans is considered part of the conclusion.

Notice in v1-3 that rather than please ourselves, we strong in faith should strive to build up those around us. We’ve already defined the weak-in-faith, so let me simply point out that Paul acknowledges their failings, yet commands the strong-in-faith to bear with them or put up with them or be patient with them or bear their burdens in support and love, even and especially when that means sacrificing self-pleasure. Not surprisingly, Paul counts himself among the strong. And he says that we should please our neighbors for their good. Compare Galatians 1:10. We don’t try to please men in that sense, because that is essentially pleasing self. Rather we please our neighbor for God’s glory, and out of love for him and for his good, to build him up as we mentioned last time. God’s glory and praise is ultimate according to Paul.

Paul then turns to the Old Testament to show that Jesus did the same thing when He was Incarnate on this earth. No better example could be found of a man not pleasing Himself for the sake of the welfare of others. He bore the failings of His disciples in an ultimate way and experienced a greater joy by pleasing others rather than Himself. “For the joy set before Him He endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). He denied Himself and took up His cross. He lived for others; and He died for others.