Romans 15:1-2 (NIV) We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
Bear with the failings of the weak. In our day, we speak of “bearing” as putting up with something. But this is not Paul’s meaning. When we read about bearing something in the scriptures, we need to think of carrying. For example, Christ bore our sins means that he carried our sins, not that he put up with our sins. In the same way, Paul is not saying to put up with the weak, but that the strong are to carry the weak. Christians are to shoulder the burdens of one another. We are to support and sustain one another, not ruin the faith of one another. This instruction continues the teaching of Romans 14 that we need to be concerned and thoughtful about the consciences of other Christians.
Not to please ourselves. We carry their burdens, but not to please ourselves. This is not a self-seeking pursuit. We do not do things while having no regard for the impact it will have on others. Consideration for our weaker brothers and sisters in Christ takes precedence over what we ourselves would like to do. We must support those who have a different point of view. Don’t go to battle against one another, but support one another. We can do this by showing respect in how we speak. Not only can we respectfully disagree, but we can also realize and openly state that though I do not agree with this person, I respect that he or she is a student of the scriptures and desires to serve the Lord. A respect for the scriptures is a large piece that helps us maintain fellowship. When we accept that neither person is trying to overthrow the scriptures but is honestly evaluating and studying the scriptures, then we can respectfully disagree and support one another.
Please others and build them up. Paul is not saying that you cannot enjoy life. But we cannot please ourselves to the detriment of the faith of others. We must continually seek to do what is good for others rather than merely seek our own good. This does not mean, however, that the weak control the church. If taken to an extreme, then any person who expresses any kind of complaint or problem would cause the rest of the church to bend to that person’s will. While this sounds reasonable, the problem is that the local church would not grow because the church could never rise above the level of the weakest member in the congregation. The point is that we are to have gentleness and concern for those who are weak. The strong are to respect the weak, remain in fellowship with the weak, and not hurt them. Paul speaks to the manner in which we deal with such disputes and differences. Accept one another and carry the burdens together, being careful how we exercise our liberties and convictions in Christ. Think about what other Christians need and what you can do for their faith.