Romans 15:1-13

Christ Did Not Please Himself

Read the passage

1We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

3For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.”

4For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

5Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus,

6so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God.

8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,

9so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.”

10Again, it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.”

11And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and extol Him, all you peoples.”

12And once more, Isaiah says: “The Root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope.”

13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Berean Standard Bible

Read aloud

Those who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please themselves. Each should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Christ did not please Himself, and Scripture says the reproaches of those who reproached God fell on Him.

What was written in former days was written for instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of Scripture believers might have hope. Paul prays that the God of endurance and encouragement will grant them to live in harmony, in accord with Christ Jesus.

Then they may glorify God with one voice. Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness and confirm the promises to the patriarchs, and so that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy. Paul gathers quotations that call all nations to rejoice, and he asks that the God of hope fill them with joy and peace in believing.

Paul's quotations reach across the Psalms, Deuteronomy and Isaiah. They picture praise among the nations, nations rejoicing with God's people and Gentiles hoping in the ruler from Jesse's line. Their welcome is part of God's promised work through Christ. He confirms the promises to Israel and brings mercy to the nations.

The instruction to accept one another rests on what Christ has already done: He has accepted us. We do not create our place in God's people by becoming agreeable enough. His welcome gives us reason to seek another believer's good. Paul asks the God of hope to fill them with joy and peace through faith, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How We Know

Paul applies Psalm 69's reproach to Christ, then gathers texts about the nations praising God. Isaiah 11:10 identifies the ruler from Jesse's line as the hope sought by the nations. The sequence grounds mutual welcome in the promised work of Christ, rather than merely in the convenience of getting along.

Questions

1 What obligation belongs to the strong?

AnswerThe strong should bear with the failings of the weak and seek their good rather than pleasing themselves. Strength is measured by what it can carry for another person.

2 Why were the Scriptures written?

AnswerThey were written for instruction so that endurance and encouragement might produce hope. Scripture forms a people who can remain faithful through difficulty.

3 What does Christ's service accomplish?

AnswerChrist confirms God's promises to Israel and opens the Gentiles' praise for God's mercy. His service joins truth to a welcome that crosses boundaries.

4 What does Paul ask the God of hope to do?

AnswerHe asks God to fill believers with joy and peace in believing so that they may abound in hope by the Holy Spirit. Hope is received and shared, not manufactured by enthusiasm.

What This Means for Us

Christ's welcome sets the direction for ours. A believer who needs more patience or has a different background should not have to become a copy of us to receive our care.

Consider someone at church whose company you tend to avoid because being together takes effort. Make room for a conversation or a shared meal. Listen for what would help them grow in faith, rather than deciding in advance what would make the relationship easier for you.

Paul's aim is shared praise to God. Ask Him to make your patience serve that purpose, with the endurance and encouragement His word supplies.

Prayer

God of endurance and hope, make our strength useful to the weak. Teach us to bear burdens without contempt, speak truth with patience, and live in a harmony that gives glory to You. Amen.

Your reading

Keep your place.

Save this passage to your private reading history.