Romans 15:1

Duty of the strong to the weak, Romans 15:1-7.

1. Then Rather, but. This particle marks the transition from the last paragraph (Romans 14:14-23) to the present. In the former paragraph the duty of the strong toward the weak is treated negatively; namely, requiring them to avoid injury, and specifically in regard to meats and drinks and days. In the present paragraph the duty is stated positively to bear the infirmities of the weak, and generally without limitation to any particular weaknesses. And this contradicts the assertion of Renan that this paragraph is a mere repetition.

Strong Every Church may be divided into the many weak and the few strong. The few may be strong in faith, in talent, in wealth; and it is these generally who must manage to carry the Church along. The large body of the membership do not contemplate and study the interests of the Church as a whole; they gather in to be interested, perhaps to be profited, and to save their souls.

Infirmities It is often easier for the strong to bear up and carry along the weakness of the weak rather than to endure their weaknesses, that is, their infirmities. Those infirmities are often vacillation, petulance, and strife.

Please ourselves The desire to please ourselves is the weakness of the strong. They like to have their own way in the Church; not only because they think it best, but because it is their own way. The man of faith is liable to be overbearing in his zeal. The man of talent is sure that he understands the best methods.

The man of wealth expects to foot the bill, and so thinks that he should control the policy. And so all three may forget the command not to please ourselves.