The Strong Bearing Infirmities of the Weak Romans 15:1

Paul the apostle told the believers in Rome to, “Do you have faith?”, and he answered, “have it to yourself before God. Happy is he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows.” He continued, “And he that doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”, and in chapter fifteen and verse one of Romans, Paul tells the believers how the, “strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak,” where we read:

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

The verse begins, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak,...” Paul began with the words, “we then” which means “Paul, his companions and his believing readers therefore, accordingly, consequently and these things being so” “that are strong” or “who are able, powerful, mighty and strong in wealth and influence” “ought to bear” which means “show owe, be in debt and are under the obligation toward goodwill” “the infirmities” or “the error arising from weakness of mind or a scruple of conscience” “of the weak” which means “pertaining to the impotent, powerless, disabled and impossible”. Paul encouraged those who were “able and mighty” to “owe and be in debt to” those who are “impotent and powerless”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and not to please ourselves.” Paul added the words, “and not to please” which means “not to accommodate one's self to the opinions, desires and interests of” “ourselves” or “Paul, his companions and his believing readers”. Paul instructed the believers in Rome to consider others rather than how to “accommodate” themselves.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how believers in Jesus who are “strong” in the faith are to “consider and look out for” believers who are “weak”. Jesus Christ came to save people from their “sins”, and some of them are “strong” and some are “weak” in their beliefs. God Almighty desires believers to “love one another”, and when they “regard” others more than themselves, they fulfill the command of God.

Next time we see Paul tell the believers in Rome how the, “let every one of us please his neighbor for his good”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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