“We who are strong ought to bear with the 1FAILINGS of the weak and not to PLEASE OURSELVES. Each of us should PLEASE OUR NEIGHBORS for their good, to BUILD THEM UP. For even Christ DID NOT PLEASE Himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” (Rom. 15:1-3) 1asthenēma: weakness of faith or mind.
The difference between the weak and the strong, as Paul has defined it, is that the strong are fully convinced that in Christ they have been freed from the restrictions of the law, including the dietary restrictions about food and drink. Their strong faith that Christ has fully satisfied all the requirements of the law allows them to feel comfortable with eating or drinking anything. Paul is saying that the strong should consider those who are weak and do ALL THEY CAN to HELP them, to PLEASE them and BUILD THEM UP. “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything IS BENEFICIAL. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything IS CONSTRUCTIVE. No one should seek THEIR OWN GOOD, BUT THE GOOD OF OTHERS.” (1 Corin. 10:23-24)
Paul encourages us to make a conscious decision never to STUMBLE or HINDER a WEAKER BELIEVER. These words suggest actions that could cause someone to trip and fall into sin or add weighty burdens of legalism and confusion that PREVENT young believers from growing in their faith. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility VALUE OTHERS ABOVE YOURSELVES, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the INTERESTS OF THE OTHERS. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant…” (Phil. 2:3-7)
-Bill Stockham