Romans 15:1-6
Christlike self-denial strengthens unity and magnifies God’s glory.
1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.
3 For even Christ didn’t please himself. But, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5 Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
6 that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christlike self-denial strengthens unity and magnifies God’s glory.
To exhort the strong to bear with the weak in love, following Christ’s example, so that the church glorifies God in unity.
Romans 15:1-6 follows Romans 14:1-23, where Paul addressed disputes over food, drink, days, liberty, conscience, stumbling, peace, and edification. Romans 15:1-6 continues the same argument by directing the strong to bear with the weak rather than please themselves. The section then grounds this ethic in Christ’s example and the purpose of Scripture. Romans 15:7 will then summarize the whole unit with the command to accept one another as Christ accepted them, in order to bring praise to God.
Paul continues his extended instruction on church unity in disputable matters. The strong likely had freedom of conscience regarding food and days, while the weak had scruples and restrictions. Paul now calls the strong to bear with the weak in a Christlike, Scripture-formed way. Believers in Rome, including strong and weak believers navigating conscience disputes, food and day practices, Jewish-Gentile tensions, and the need for united worship Romans 15:1-6 stands near the end of Paul’s practical exhortations in Romans. It gathers the themes of mercy, love, renewed mind, liberty, conscience, peace, edification, Scripture, Christ’s example, and God’s glory. It prepares for Romans 15:7-13, where Paul will expand the call to acceptance into Jew-Gentile praise among the nations.
Bearing with the Weak, Welcoming One Another, and Paul’s Priestly Mission to the Gentiles
Because Christ welcomed Jews and Gentiles into one mercy-shaped people, the church must bear with the weak, accept one another, glorify God together, and partner in the gospel mission that brings the nations to obedient worship.