Romans 15:1-6

Rachel Workman: 15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. ² Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. ³ For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”^{[a] 4} For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. This it a good reminder for me. I need to extend grace more than I do. I need to bear with the failings of the weak and not be irritated by them. In a world striving to tear one down it's good to remember these words. We are to please our neighbors for their good and build them up. Too often the trend is to please ourselves only.

⁵ May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, ⁶ so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I would wish for the same thing here. I want to see people through the eyes of Christ.

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Allen Michaels:  15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. ² Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. If we merely set out to please our neighbors, we will be people-pleasers, and Paul was opposed to that. But we are to set aside willfulness and self-pleasing actions for the sake of building others up for good. Our Christian convictions must not be a disguise for cold-hearted treatment of our brothers and sisters. ³ For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” ⁴ For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. The knowledge of the scriptures affects our attitude toward the present and the future. The more we know about what God has done in years past, the greater the confidence we have about what he will do in the days ahead. We should read our Bibles diligently to increase our trust that God’s will is best for us.

⁵ May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, ⁶ so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To accept Jesus’ lordship in all areas of life means to share his values and his perspective. Just as we take Jesus’ view on the authority of scripture, the nature of heaven, and the resurrection, we are to have his attitude of love toward other Christians as well (have a “spirit of unity”). As we grow in faith and come to know Jesus better, we will become more capable of maintaining this attitude of loving unity throughout each day.

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Tomorrow’s reading for Romans 15:7-13

⁷ Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. ⁸ For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews^[b] on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed ⁹ and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing the praises of your name.”^[c]

¹⁰ Again, it says,

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”^[d]

¹¹ And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
    let all the peoples extol him.”^[e]

¹² And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
    one who will arise to rule over the nations;
    in him the Gentiles will hope.”^[f]

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.