Strength Is for Service: Insights from Romans 15

“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)

The Roman church was an eclectic blend of Jews and Gentiles, followers of the Mosaic law and converts from paganism. In this diverse context, Paul addressed himself to the ‘strong’ – those who felt they had a grasp on what Christian freedom was all about. The ‘strong’ were those who understand the danger of legalism – they knew that Christianity is not about what foods we eat or what holidays we observe.

The ‘strong’ Christians are told that they are to ‘bear with the failings of the weak.’ This is not a call to come alongside those who are going through trials. Instead it’s a command to deal gently with the spiritually immature. ‘The strong’ are to ‘bear with’ the inconveniences,, immaturities, failings, and blind spots of the spiritually weak.

This is presented as an obligation. Why? Because, as The Message points out, ‘strength is for service, not status.’ God grants spiritual strength, maturity, and wisdom to believers so that they can care well for their brothers and sisters in Christ.

The contrast is found in ‘pleasing ourselves.’ The word refers to ‘accommodating others by meeting their needs or carrying out important obligations’ (BDAG). Rather than going out of our way to help ourselves, we are to go out of our way to help, assist, and take on the interests of the weak.

The reason is ‘to build him up.’ You don’t put up with someone so that you can get a reputation as a kind person in the church. You don’t do it so that you can manipulate people for your own ends. You do it for their own growth and spiritual good.

This is not an easy task. Spiritually weak people are characterized by spiritual weakness. They are often insensitive – they have no idea how hard they are to get along with. They are frequently immature – they don’t think through things wisely. It is common for them to be mistaken – they insist on what isn’t true. In short, they are difficult to bear with. Still, as Socrates said, “those who are hardest to love, need it the most.”

Who are the ‘weak’ that you know? I think immediately of those that we consider to be ‘weak’ in their theology, people that we consider to be defective in their understanding of the Bible. Perhaps it is those whom you disagree with politically – Christians, perhaps, but not those who (in your opinion) have not rigorously considered the implications of their faith on their politics. Or maybe it is the young Christians, who are often over-eager and overly excitable, to prone to argue rather than listen. Parents may think of their children, or you might think of certain ways in which your spouse is ‘weak.’

Three applications come to mind, if we would ‘bear with’ the weak.

First, set aside your rights when they harm the weak. Paul doesn’t insist that the weak individual merely needs to grow up theologically and get over their problems; his approach to spiritual freedoms is summarized in Romans 14:21 – “It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.”

Second, beware of condescension. The weak will not be helped if you smugly view yourself as someone who has everything sorted out, and you are just waiting for them to get to ‘your level.’ No Christians is ‘strong’ in every aspect, and no Christian is ‘weak’ in every aspect.

Third, be guided by patience and gentleness. This is why you have been given strength – to do what is difficult. “The power of gentleness is irresistible” (H. Martyn).

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