Romans 15:2

Romans 15:2, in plain English

Your goal in how you treat others shouldn't be to win an argument or prove you're right—it should be to help them grow spiritually.

Why it's here

The Roman church was fractured by debates over food, days, and practices. Instead of just settling the theological question, Paul is reframing what success actually looks like. It's not about being correct; it's about building up the person in front of you.

Who's speaking

Paul

Where it sits in the story

This reflects the law of love that Jesus taught—loving your neighbor as yourself isn't a nice idea; it's the core of how His kingdom works. When you care about someone's growth more than being right, you're participating in God's redemptive work.

The scholarly reading

We should prioritize our neighbor's spiritual growth and wellbeing over our own comfort or vindication.

Language and setting

In the 1st century Roman church, 'pleasing' (Greek: areskō) carried connotations of social deference and calculated propriety—but Paul reframes it as purposeful service toward edification (oikodomē—literally 'building up'). The weak believer's scruples deserved respect, not ridicule or pressure.

Voice

Paul

Significance

This principle anticipates the Reformation insight that Christian liberty exists not as license but as a gift to be stewarded responsibly within the body. Calvin later emphasized that freedom disconnected from charity becomes mere appetite.

1We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

3For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.”

4For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

Read all of Romans 15 — The strong must bear with the weak. Christ did not please himself. Paul's vision for the church is a chorus of diverse voices glorifying God together.