We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
Parallel translations
- WEB Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
- KJV We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
- NKJV We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
- NASB Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not just please ourselves.
- NLT We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Those strong in faith ought to bear with the weaknesses of the weak rather than please themselves. Strength is given for the service of others, not for self-indulgence.
Overview
Paul applies the chapter 14 principles directly to the strong, who understand their liberty. Their duty is to carry the scruples of the weak patiently, even at cost to their own preferences. The phrase 'not to please ourselves' anticipates the example of Christ. True spiritual strength expresses itself in self-denying love that supports the weaker believer rather than demanding its own way.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 1 Th 5:14And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
- Rom 14:1Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.
- Gal 6:1–2Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
- 1 Cor 9:22To 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.
- 1 Cor 12:22–24On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
- 2 Tim 2:1You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
- 1 Jn 2:14I 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.
- Rom 4:20Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
- Eph 6:10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
- 2 Cor 12:10That 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.
- 1 Cor 4:10We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 15:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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