Romans 15:1-13
Christ Did Not Please Himself
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
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.
The strong are told to bear with the failings of the weak, not to please themselves. Christ is the model: He did not use strength for self-protection but accepted reproach for the good of others. The goal is not a church where every difference disappears; it is a people who pursue endurance, encouragement, and a shared voice in glorifying God.
Paul's prayer for hope, joy, and peace is attached to believing, not to control of every circumstance. Unity is not manufactured by avoiding hard questions or forcing the vulnerable to move at the powerful person's pace. Families can ask whether their preferences make another person carry an unnecessary burden, and whether their patience is helping the household become more like Christ.
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
Paul does not ask the strong to call weakness good. He asks them to use their strength for another person's good instead of making personal freedom the highest value.
Christ's example keeps the instruction from becoming a technique for family harmony. He bears reproach and serves truthfully; Christian patience is not avoidance of what needs to be said.
Ask the strongest person in a family discussion to carry more of the burden. Let the aim be the neighbor's good and shared praise, not the strong person's victory.
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.