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Christian Standard Bible ®

Romans 15:1

Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Church;   Commandments;   Fellowship;   Kindness;   Love;   Righteousness;   Self-Denial;   Selfishness;   Unselfishness;   Thompson Chain Reference - Charitableness;   Charitableness-Uncharitableness;   Charity;   Duty;   Neighbours, Duty to;   Self-Denial;   Self-Indulgence-Self-Denial;   Social Duties;   Social Life;   Sympathy;   Sympathy-Pitilessness;   Weak;   The Topic Concordance - Burden;   Help;   Hope;   Patience;   Scripture;   Teaching;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Missionaries, All Christians Should Be as;   Self-Denial;   Selfishness;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Romans, letter to the;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Disease;   Strong and Weak;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Fellowship;   Infirmity ;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Fellowship;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Edification;   Infirmity;   Romans, Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Conscience;   Ethics;   Medicine;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Brotherly Love;   Debt, Debtor;   Expediency;   Marks Stigmata;   Offence;   Romans Epistle to the;   Virtue;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - 36 Ought Must;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Church Government;   Infirmity;   Love;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for December 8;   Every Day Light - Devotion for January 10;  

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
Top hands must be considerate to beginners in things such as these. Life ain't about just riding for yourself, but take others into consideration as well.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.
Legacy Standard Bible
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.
Bible in Basic English
We who are strong have to be a support to the feeble, and not give pleasure to ourselves.
Darby Translation
But *we* ought, we that are strong, to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
World English Bible
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Therefore we who are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Weymouth's New Testament
As for us who are strong, our duty is to bear with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not seek our own pleasure.
King James Version (1611)
Wee then that are strong, ought to beare the infirmities of the weake, and not to please our selues.
Literal Translation
But we, the strong ones, ought to bear the weaknesses of those not strong, and not to please ourselves.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
We that are stronge ought to beare ye fraylnesse of them which are weake, and not to stonde in oure awne consaytes.
Mace New Testament (1729)
I add, we that are better inform'd ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not study our own pleasure.
THE MESSAGE
Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"
Amplified Bible
Now we who are strong [in our convictions and faith] ought to [patiently] put up with the weaknesses of those who are not strong, and not just please ourselves.
American Standard Version
Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Revised Standard Version
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves;
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
We which are stronge ought to beare the fraylnes of them which are weake and not to stonde in oure awne cosaytes.
Update Bible Version
Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Webster's Bible Translation
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Young's Literal Translation
And we ought -- we who are strong -- to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves;
New Century Version
We who are strong in faith should help the weak with their weaknesses, and not please only ourselves.
New English Translation
But we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not just please ourselves.
Berean Standard Bible
We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
Contemporary English Version
If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves.
Complete Jewish Bible
So we who are strong have a duty to bear the weaknesses of those who are not strong, rather than please ourselves.
English Standard Version
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Geneva Bible (1587)
We which are strong, ought to beare the infirmities of the weake, & not to please our selues.
George Lamsa Translation
WE then who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not seek to please ourselves.
Hebrew Names Version
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
International Standard Version
Now we who are strong ought to be patient with the weaknesses of those who are not strong and must stop pleasing ourselves.Romans 14:1; Galatians 6:1;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
WE then, the strong, are obligated to bear up the infirmities of the weak, and not ourselves to please.
Murdock Translation
We then who are strong, ought to bear the infirmity of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
New King James Version
We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
New Living Translation
We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves.
New Life Bible
We who have strong faith should help those who are weak. We should not live to please ourselves.
English Revised Version
Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
New Revised Standard
We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
We are bound, however, we, who are strong, the weakness of them who are not strong to be bearing, and not, unto ourselves, to give pleasure.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now, we that are stronger ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves.
King James Version
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Lexham English Bible
But we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
We whiche are stronge, ought to beare ye fraylnes of the weake, & not to stande in our owne conceiptes.
Easy-to-Read Version
Some of us have no problem with these things. So we should be patient with those who are not so strong and have doubts. We should not do what pleases us
New American Standard Bible
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not just please ourselves.
Good News Translation
We who are strong in the faith ought to help the weak to carry their burdens. We should not please ourselves.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But we saddere men owen to susteyne the feblenesses of sijke men, and not plese to vs silf.

Contextual Overview

1 Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. 2 Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even the Messiah did not please Himself. On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me. 4 For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

strong: Romans 4:20, 1 Corinthians 4:10, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Ephesians 6:10, 2 Timothy 2:1, 1 John 2:14

ought: Romans 14:1, 1 Corinthians 9:22, 1 Corinthians 12:22-24, Galatians 6:1, Galatians 6:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:14

please: Romans 15:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 33:14 - be able Exodus 26:26 - bars of shittim wood Leviticus 11:22 - General Deuteronomy 22:4 - thou shalt surely 2 Samuel 10:11 - General 2 Chronicles 28:15 - carried Matthew 17:27 - lest Matthew 18:6 - offend Matthew 18:10 - heed Matthew 26:39 - not Mark 8:34 - Whosoever John 13:14 - ye also John 21:15 - lambs Acts 20:35 - how that Romans 6:19 - because Romans 8:26 - infirmities Romans 14:21 - good 1 Corinthians 8:9 - weak 1 Corinthians 8:11 - shall 1 Corinthians 10:23 - edify 1 Corinthians 13:5 - seeketh 1 Corinthians 13:7 - Beareth 2 Corinthians 4:5 - and 2 Corinthians 11:29 - is weak Galatians 1:10 - for if Galatians 5:13 - but Ephesians 4:2 - forbearing Philippians 2:4 - General Philippians 3:15 - as Colossians 3:13 - Forbearing 2 Timothy 3:2 - lovers Hebrews 10:24 - consider

Cross-References

Genesis 15:1
After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great.
Genesis 15:2
But Abram said, "Lord God , what can You give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"
Genesis 15:3
Abram continued, "Look, You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house will be my heir."
Genesis 15:4
Now the word of the Lord came to him: "This one will not be your heir; instead, one who comes from your own body will be your heir."
Genesis 15:5
He took him outside and said, "Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then He said to him, "Your offspring will be that numerous."
Genesis 15:6
Abram believed the Lord , and He credited it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:10
So he brought all these to Him, split them down the middle, and laid the pieces opposite each other, but he did not cut up the birds.
Genesis 15:14
However, I will judge the nation they serve, and afterward they will go out with many possessions.
Genesis 15:16
In the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure."
Genesis 15:17
When the sun had set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the divided animals.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

We then that are strong,.... Meaning not only ministers of the Gospel, who are men of strong parts, great abilities, mighty in the Scriptures, valiant for the truth on earth, and pillars in God's house; for though the apostle includes himself, yet not merely as such, but as expressing it to be his duty in common with other Christians; and the rather he does this, to engage them to the practice of it: but the stronger and more knowing part of private Christians are here intended; the Apostle John's young men, who are strong, in distinction from little children, or new born babes, that are at present weaklings; and from fathers who are on the decline of life, and just going off the stage; see 1 John 2:12; when these young men are in the bloom and flower of a profession, in the prime of their judgment, and exercise of grace; who are strong in Christ, and not in themselves, in the grace that is in him, out of which they continually receive; who are strong in the grace of faith, and are established and settled in the doctrine of it; and have a large and extensive knowledge of the several truths of the Gospel; and, among the rest, of that of Christian liberty:

ought to bear the infirmities of the weak; of them that are weak in faith and knowledge, particularly in the knowledge of their freedom from Mosaical observances: their "infirmities" are partly their ignorance, mistakes, and errors, about things indifferent; which they consider and insist on, and would impose upon others, as necessary and obliging; and partly the peevishness and moroseness which they show, the hard words they give, and the rash judgment and rigid censures they pass on their brethren, that differ from them: such persons and their infirmities are to be borne with; they are not to be despised for their weakness; and if in the church, are not to be excluded for their mistakes; and if not members, are not to be refused on account of them; since they arise from weakness, and are not subversive of the fundamental doctrines of the Gospel: they are not to be treated as wicked men, but as weak brethren; and their peevish tempers, morose dispositions and conduct, their hard speeches and censorious expressions, are patiently to be endured; they should be considered as from whence they arise, not from malice and ill will, from a malignant spirit, but from weakness and misguided zeal, for what they take to be in force, when it is abolished: moreover, they are to be complied with in cases not sinful, as the apostle did in circumcising Timothy, Acts 16:3, and purifying himself according to the law, Acts 21:26; and so to the weak he became weak, to gain some, 1 Corinthians 9:22, and therefore could urge this exhortation by his own example with greater force; and which he represents, not only as what would be honourable, and a point of good nature, and as doing a kind action, but as what "ought" to be; what the law of love obliges to, and what the grace of love, which "bears all things", 1 Corinthians 13:7, constrains unto; and which indeed if not done, they that are strong do not answer one end of their having that spiritual strength they have; and it is but complying with the golden rule of Christ, to do as we would be done by, Matthew 7:12:

and not please ourselves: either entertain pleasing thoughts of, and make pleasing reflections on their stronger faith, greater degree of knowledge, superior light and understanding; which being indulged, are apt to excite and encourage spiritual pride and vanity, and generally issue in the contempt of weaker brethren; nor do those things, which are pleasing and grateful to themselves, to the offence and detriment of others; for instance, and which is what the apostle has reference to, to gratify their appetite, by eating such meat as is forbidden by the law of Moses, to the grieving of the weak brethren, wounding their consciences, and destroying their peace; these things should not be done; stronger Christians should deny themselves the use of their Christian liberty in things indifferent, when they cannot make use of it without offence.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

We then that are strong - The apostle resumes the subject of the preceding chapter; and continues the exhortation to brotherly love and mutual kindness and forbearance. By the “strong” here he means the strong “in faith” in respect to the matters under discussion; those whose minds were free from doubts and perplexities. His own mind was free from doubt, and there were many others, particularly of the Gentile converts, that had the same views. But many also, particularly of the “Jewish” converts, had many doubts and scruples.

Ought to bear - This word bear properly means to “lift up,” to “bear away,” to “remove.” But here it is used in a larger sense; “to bear with, to be indulgent to, to endure patiently, not to contend with;” Galatians 6:2; Revelation 2:2, “Thou canst not bear them that are evil.”

And not to please ourselves - Not to make it our main object to gratify our own wills. We should be willing to deny ourselves, if by it we may promote the happiness of others. This refers particularly to “opinions” about meats and drinks; but it may be applied to Christian conduct generally, as denoting that we are not to make our own happiness or gratification the standard of our conduct, but are to seek the welfare of others; see the example of Paul, 1Co 9:19, 1 Corinthians 9:22; see also Philippians 2:4; 1 Corinthians 13:5, “Love seeketh not her own;” 1 Corinthians 10:24, “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth; also Matthew 16:24.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER XV.

The strong should bear the infirmities of the weak, and each

strive to please, not himself, but his neighbour, after the

example of Christ, 1-3.

Whatsoever was written in old times was written for our

learning, 4.

We should be of one mind, that we might with one mouth glorify

God, 5, 6.

We should accept each other as Christ has accepted us, 7.

Scriptural proofs that Jesus Christ was not only the minister

of the circumcision, but came also for the salvation of the

Gentiles, 8-12.

The God of hope can fill us with all peace and joy in

believing, 13.

Character of the Church of Rome, 14.

The reason why the apostle wrote so boldly to the Church in

that city-what God had wrought by him, and what he purposed

to do, 15-24.

He tells them of his intended journey to Jerusalem, with a

contribution to the poor saints-a sketch of this journey, 25-29.

He commends himself to their prayers, 30-33.

NOTES ON CHAP. XV.

Verse Romans 15:1. 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.


 
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