Romans 15:1

King James Version (KJV)

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole 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, 1 Corinthians 9:19, 1 Corinthians 9:22; see also Philemon 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.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Christian liberty was allowed, not for our pleasure, but for the glory of God, and the good of others. We must please our neighbour, for the good of his soul; not by serving his wicked will, and humouring him in a sinful way; if we thus seek to please men, we are not the servants of Christ. Christ's whole life was a self-denying, self-displeasing life. And he is the most advanced Christian, who is the most conformed to Christ. Considering his spotless purity and holiness, nothing could be more contrary to him, than to be made sin and a curse for us, and to have the reproaches of God fall upon him; the just for the unjust. He bore the guilt of sin, and the curse for it; we are only called to bear a little of the trouble of it. He bore the presumptuous sins of the wicked; we are called only to bear the failings of the weak. And should not we be humble, self-denying, and ready to consider one another, who are members one of another? The Scriptures are written for our use and benefit, as much as for those to whom they were first given. Those are most learned who are most mighty in the Scriptures. That comfort which springs from the word of God, is the surest and sweetest, and the greatest stay to hope. The Spirit as a Comforter, is the earnest of our inheritance. This like-mindedness must be according to the precept of Christ, according to his pattern and example. It is the gift of God; and a precious gift it is, for which we must earnestly seek unto him. Our Divine Master invites his disciples, and encourages them by showing himself as meek and lowly in spirit. The same disposition ought to mark the conduct of his servants, especially of the strong towards the weak. The great end in all our actions must be, that God may be glorified; nothing more forwards this, than the mutual love and kindness of those who profess religion. Those that agree in Christ may well agree among themselves.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

1. We then that are strong. Literally, “but we the strong.” The word translated “strong” means “able,” “powerful,” and describes those who are spiritually strong. Such believers are not only standing firm themselves but should also help others to stand.

Bear. Gr. bastazÅÂ, “to take up,” “to lift,” “to carry.” The word is sometimes used in the sense of “to bear with,” “to endure patiently” as possibly here (see Matt. 20:12; Rev. 2:2).

Until. To the very end of time hardness “in part” will be the spiritual state of the Jews. The two key phrases in this immediate passage are “the fullness of the Gentiles” and “all Israel” (v. 26). If, as some hold, Paul, in these phrases, literally encompasses the total Gentile population, and “all” of the Jewish race, according to the flesh, then, patently, he teaches universal salvation. But whatever Paul teaches in this difficult passage, it is certain that he does not teach universal salvation, for his writings contain numerous unequivocal statements in opposition to that doctrine (see Rom. 1:18, 32; 2:1-11; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; etc.).

God forces salvation upon no one. If men choose to steel their hearts against the gospel, He does not interfere with their choice. Their hardening is thus of their own choosing and the responsibility for it must not be laid upon God (see on Rom. 9:18). It is possible for God to save out of a nation only as many as comply with the provisions of grace.

Fulness. See on v. 12, where Paul mentions the “fulness” of the Jews. “The fulness of the Gentiles” may most naturally be understood to refer to those Gentiles who throughout the gospel era accept the provisions of salvation.

Infirmities. Or, “weakness,” “failings,” here specifically the acts that reveal weakness of faith, such as unnecessary scruples or erroneous judgments. These the strong are well able, and in fact duty bound, to bear with loving patience.

Please ourselves. Instead of insisting on our rights and desires, we should be willing to subordinate them to the welfare of our brother, no matter how weak and prejudiced he may seem to be (see 1 Cor. 9:19, 22; cf. 1 Cor. 10:24, 33; 13:5, 7; Phil. 2:4).

Be come in. That is, into the kingdom of Christ, the community of the people of God that is represented by the good olive tree and into which some of the Gentiles have already been grafted.

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Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

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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Ellen G. White
That I May Know Him, 187.1

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1. TMK 187.1

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Ellen G. White
The Upward Look, 31.7

The Saviour is acquainted with the mental suffering of His children. He knows how at times their hearts are wounded and bleeding. He would have the afflicted soothed and helped. He says to us, “Bear ye one another's burdens” (Galatians 6:2). “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1). We are to relate ourselves rightly to one another, even though to do this demands sacrifice. Christ made an infinite sacrifice for us, and should we not be willing to sacrifice for others? We are to guard carefully against wounding or bruising the hearts of God's children, for when we do this, we wound and bruise the heart of Christ.—Letter 31, January 17, 1904, to Elder and Mrs. J. A. Burden, and Dr. and Mrs. D. H. Kress. UL 31.7

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Ellen G. White
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 605

We must expect to meet and bear with great imperfections in those who are young and inexperienced. Christ has bidden us seek to restore such in the spirit of meekness, and He holds us responsible for pursuing a course which will drive them to discouragement, despair, and ruin. Unless we daily cultivate the precious plant of love we are in danger of becoming narrow, unsympathetic, bigoted, and critical, esteeming ourselves righteous when we are far from being approved of God. Some are uncourteous, abrupt, and harsh. They are like chestnut burs: they prick whenever touched. These do incalculable harm by misrepresenting our loving Saviour. 5T 605.1

We must come up to a higher standard, or we are unworthy of the Christian name. We should cultivate the spirit with which Christ labored to save the erring. They are as dear to Him as we are. They are equally capable of being trophies of His grace and heirs of the kingdom. But they are exposed to the snares of a wily foe, exposed to danger and defilement, and without the saving grace of Christ, to certain ruin. Did we view this matter in the right light, how would our zeal be quickened and our earnest, self-sacrificing efforts be multiplied, that we might come close to those who need our help, our prayers, our sympathy, and our love! 5T 605.2

Let those who have been remiss in this work consider their duty in the light of the great commandment: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” This obligation is resting upon all. All are required to labor to diminish the ills and multiply the blessings of their fellow creatures. If we are strong to resist temptation we are under the greater obligation to help those who are weak and yielding. Have we knowledge, we should instruct the ignorant. Has God blessed us with this world's goods, it is our duty to succor the poor. We must work for others’ good. Let all within the sphere of our influence be partakers of whatever of excellence we may possess. None should be content to feed on the bread of life without sharing it with those around them. 5T 606.1

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