Romans 15
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
We then that are strong - The sense of this verse is supposed to be the following: We, Gentile Christians, who perfectly understand the nature of our Gospel liberty, not only lawfully may, but are bound in duty to bear any inconveniences that may arise from the scruples of the weaker brethren, and to ease their consciences by prudently abstaining from such indifferent things as may offend and trouble them; and not take advantage from our superior knowledge to make them submit to our judgment.
Open source ↗SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED AND CONCLUDED. (Rom 15:1-13) We then that are strong--on such points as have been discussed, the abolition of the Jewish distinction of meats and days under the Gospel. See on Rom 14:14; Rom 14:20. ought . . . not to please ourselves--ought to think less of what we may lawfully do than of how our conduct will affect others.
Open source ↗Let everyone of us please his neighbour,.... Every man, particularly his Christian friend and brother, whom he should seek to please in all things, and by all means lawful; he should carry it affably and courteously, should make himself agreeable to him; should condescend and accommodate himself to his weakness, and bear his infirmities, and deny himself rather than displease him. The Vulgate Latin version and some copies read, "let everyone of you"; but the other reading is preferable, and best agrees with the context, Rom 15:1. For his good; or as the Syriac renders it, "in good things"; for he is not to be pleased, gratified, and indulged, in any thing that is evil: we are not to please any man in anything that is contrary to the Gospel of Christ, for then we should not be faithful servants of his; nor in anything repugnant to the commands of God, and ordinances of Christ, who are to be obeyed and pleased, rather than men; nor in anything that is of an immoral nature, we are not to comply with, though it may be to the displeasure of the dearest relation and friend; but in everything that is naturally, civilly, morally, or evangelically good, we should study to please them; and in whatsoever may be for their good, temporal, spiritual, or eternal: and to edification: of our neighbour, brother, and Christian friend, for the establishment of his peace, the increase of his spiritual light, and the building of him up in his most holy faith; and also of the whole community, or church, to which each belong, whose peace and edification should be consulted, and everything done, which may promote and secure it; and among which this is one, every man to please his neighbour, in things lawful and laudable.
Open source ↗The apostle here lays down two precepts, with reasons to enforce them, showing the duty of the strong Christian to consider and condescend to the weakest. I. We must bear the infirmities of the weak, Rom 15:1. We all have our infirmities; but the weak are more subject to them than others - the weak in knowledge or grace, the bruised reed and the smoking flax. We must consider these; not trample upon them, but encourage them, and bear with their infirmities. If through weakness they judge and censure us, and speak evil of us, we must bear with them, pity them, and not have our affections alienated from them. Alas! it is their weakness, they cannot help it. Thus Christ bore with his weak disciples, and apologised for them. But there is more in it; we must also bear their infirmities by sympathizing with them, concerning ourselves for them, ministering strength to them, as there is occasion. This is bearing one another's burdens. II. We must not please ourselves, but our neighbour, Rom 15:1, Rom 15:2. We must deny our own humour, in consideration of our brethren's weakness and infirmity. 1. Christians must not please themselves. We must not make it our business to gratify all the little appetites and desires of our own heart; it is good for us to cross ourselves sometimes, and then we shall the better bear others crossing of us. We shall be spoiled (as Adonijah was) if we be always humoured. The first lesson we have to learn is to deny ourselves, Mat 16:24. 2. Christians must please their brethren. The design of Christianity is to soften and meeken the spirit, to teach us the art of obliging and true complaisance; not to be servants to the lust of any, but to the necessities and infirmities of our brethren - to comply with all that we have to do with as fare as we can with…
Open source ↗15:1-4 We who are strong: Paul aligns himself with those he identifies as strong in faith, and he reveals that the division in the Roman church was not simply between Jews and Gentiles. Like Paul, some Jews had enlightened consciences and so were counted among the strong. Similarly, some Gentiles were so strongly influenced by Jewish teaching and tradition that they were among the weak in faith. • must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this: This phrase is reminiscent of Gal 6:2. Paul did not want the strong to simply put up with those who were weak in faith; rather the strong were to actively and sympathetically assist the weak in living out their Christian faith with integrity (see also Gal 5:13-15).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
ἡμεῖς (hēmeîs, G2249) — we (only used when emphatic) δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. δυνατός (dynatós, G1415) — powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible ὀφείλω (opheílō, G3784) — to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should);… βαστάζω (bastázō, G941) — to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.) ἀσθένημα (asthénēma, G771) — a scruple of conscience ἀδύνατος (adýnatos, G102) — unable, i.e. weak (literally or figuratively); passively, impossible καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… ἀρέσκω (aréskō, G700) — to be agreeable (or by implication, to seek to be so) ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other…
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἀρέσκω (aréskō, G700) — to be agreeable (or by implication, to seek to be so) ἕκαστος (hékastos, G1538) — each or every ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us πλησίον (plēsíon, G4139) — (adverbially) close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. fellow (as man, countryman, Christian… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἀγαθός (agathós, G18) — "good" (in any sense, often as noun) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… οἰκοδομή (oikodomḗ, G3619) — architecture, i.e. (concretely) a structure; figuratively, confirmation
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ἀρέσκω (aréskō, G700) — to be agreeable (or by implication, to seek to be so) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that γράφω (gráphō, G1125) — to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe ὀνειδισμός (oneidismós, G3680) — contumely ὀνειδίζω (oneidízō, G3679) — to defame, i.e. rail at, chide, taunt σέ (sé, G4571) — thee ἐπιπίπτω (epipíptō, G1968) — to embrace (with affection) or seize (with more or less violence; literally or… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of…
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ὅσος (hósos, G3745) — as (much, great, long, etc.) as προγράφω (prográphō, G4270) — to write previously; figuratively, to announce, prescribe εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἡμέτερος (hēméteros, G2251) — our διδασκαλία (didaskalía, G1319) — instruction (the function or the information) ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ὑπομονή (hypomonḗ, G5281) — cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… παράκλησις (paráklēsis, G3874) — imploration, hortation, solace γραφή (graphḗ, G1124) — a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it) ἐλπίς (elpís, G1680) — expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ὑπομονή (hypomonḗ, G5281) — cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… παράκλησις (paráklēsis, G3874) — imploration, hortation, solace δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… φρονέω (phronéō, G5426) — to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to… ἀλλήλων (allḗlōn, G240) — one another ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
Open source ↗ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) δοξάζω (doxázō, G1392) — to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application) ὁμοθυμαδόν (homothymadón, G3661) — unanimously ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one στόμα (stóma, G4750) — the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations);… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗διό (dió, G1352) — through which thing, i.e. consequently προσλαμβάνω (proslambánō, G4355) — to take to oneself, i.e. use (food), lead (aside), admit (to friendship or hospitality) ἀλλήλων (allḗlōn, G240) — one another καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… δόξα (dóxa, G1391) — glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… διάκονος (diákonos, G1249) — an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties);… περιτομή (peritomḗ, G4061) — circumcision (the rite, the condition or the people, literally or figuratively) ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… ἀλήθεια (alḗtheia, G225) — truth θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… βεβαιόω (bebaióō, G950) — to stabilitate (figuratively) ἐπαγγελία (epangelía, G1860) — an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good) πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… δοξάζω (doxázō, G1392) — to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… ἔλεος (éleos, G1656) — compassion (human or divine, especially active) καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that γράφω (gráphō, G1125) — to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing ἐξομολογέω (exomologéō, G1843) — to acknowledge or (by implication, of assent) agree fully σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πάλιν (pálin, G3825) — (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally)… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… εὐφραίνω (euphraínō, G2165) — to put (middle voice or passively, be) in a good frame of mind, i.e. rejoice ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πάλιν (pálin, G3825) — (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally)… αἰνέω (ainéō, G134) — to praise (God) κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… ἐπαινέω (epainéō, G1867) — to applaud αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πάλιν (pálin, G3825) — (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally)… Ἡσαΐας (Hēsaḯas, G2268) — Hesaias (i.e. Jeshajah), an Israelite λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ἔσομαι (ésomai, G2071) — will be ῥίζα (rhíza, G4491) — a "root" (literally or figuratively) Ἰεσσαί (Iessaí, G2421) — Jessæ (i.e. Jishai), an Israelite ἀνίστημι (anístēmi, G450) — to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive) ἄρχω (árchō, G757) — to be first (in political rank or power) ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐλπίζω (elpízō, G1679) — to expect or confide
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἐλπίς (elpís, G1680) — expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence πληρόω (plēróō, G4137) — to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively)… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole χαρά (chará, G5479) — cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἰρήνη (eirḗnē, G1515) — peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… περισσεύω (perisseúō, G4052) — to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also… δύναμις (dýnamis, G1411) — force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πείθω (peíthō, G3982) — to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other… περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐστέ (esté, G2075) — ye are μεστός (mestós, G3324) — replete (literally or figuratively) ἀγαθωσύνη (agathōsýnē, G19) — goodness, i.e. virtue or beneficence πληρόω (plēróō, G4137) — to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively)…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.