“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”
– Romans 15:1-2
Main Thought: In the previous chapter, Paul was dealing with the subject of Christian liberty, where certain younger and weaker brothers in the faith were sometimes offended by the things which those who were stronger in their faith practiced. Paul’s advice was for both not to look down on, or pass judgment upon, the other over those things which involved the eating or not eating of certain foods, or the observing or not observing of certain days. Paul goes on in the latter part of Romans 14 to urge the stronger, more mature believers to not do anything that would cause a weaker brother to stumble in his faith. Here in this verse, Paul admonishes the stronger believers not to seek their own way every time in these matters, but to bear with one another, in other words, patiently put up with the failings of those who are younger and weaker in the faith. We need to remind ourselves that all of us, without exception, have been a weaker brother at some point and can look back and realize that some of the strong stances or opinions we had when we were weaker were because of our immaturity, and that through more study in the Scriptures, the wisdom of other believers coming alongside us and the faithful teaching of pastors in strong churches we have now become those who are more mature in our understanding of Scripture, and in our practice of the Christian life. Remember that Peter said we are all to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). If we seek just what we want, not clothing ourselves in humility, and do not practice the brotherly love that Paul spoke of in Romans 12:10, then chances are we will offend weaker brothers and greatly hinder their spiritual growth. Our calling, from the youngest believer to the most mature believer in the church, is to build up or edify one another. Paul reminds the Romans that Christ did not please himself (Rom. 15:3). So are we following the example of Christ, in seeking to humble ourselves and build up our brothers and sisters in Christ? May we ask the Lord to increase our humility daily and to imitate Christ as we seek the spiritual good and edification of all within the church.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
2 Corinthians 8:9
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9
Job 14:1-2
“Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not.” – Job 14:1-2
1 Corinthians 1:30-31
“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Proverbs 28:13
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13
Psalm 119:41-42
“Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me.” – Psalm 119:41-42
Psalm 86:9
“All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.” – Psalm 86:9 (ESV)
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (ESV)