Romans 15:1

King James Version (KJV)

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

Translations

Romans 15:1 - Amplified Bible

WE WHO are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings {and} the frailties {and} the tender scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and not to please ourselves.

Romans 15:1 - American Standard Version

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

Romans 15:1 - Bible in Basic English

We who are strong have to be a support to the feeble, and not give pleasure to ourselves.

Romans 15:1 - Darby Bible

But *we* ought, we that are strong, to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Romans 15:1 - English Standard Version

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Romans 15:1 - King James Version

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

Romans 15:1 - La Biblia de las Americas

Asì que, nosotros los que somos fuertes, debemos sobrellevar las flaquezas de los débiles y no agradarnos a nosotros mismos.

Romans 15:1 - The Message

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"

Romans 15:1 - New American Standard Bible

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not {just} please ourselves.

Romans 15:1 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Asì que, nosotros los que somos fuertes, debemos sobrellevar las flaquezas de los débiles y no agradarnos a nosotros mismos.

Romans 15:1 - World English Bible

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Romans 15:1 - Young's Living Translation

And we ought -- we who are strong -- to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves;

Romans 15:1 - Additional Comments

The different translations use the terms "scruples", "weaknesses", "failings", "infirmities". The Greek term means "an inability to produce results". In most passages it refers to some physical ability, but here it refers to a spiritual ability. Heb 5:12-14 compares those who are still babes in Christ versus those who are mature, who "have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." The babes still need someone to teach them the basic principles of God, and are "unskilled in the word of righteousness."
Those who are weak can't produce the desired results, they can't act or react the way God wants them to, because they have not developed their faith to that point. They could be new Christians, or they could be those who have been Christians for many years, but still babes. How can you tell where you are at? Do you need other to still teach you the basic principles, or through the exercising of faith can without thinking ("using the spinal cord") discern between good and evil?
Whatever state you are in, there are those who are weaker in the faith, and those who are stronger. This passage gives us the charter or duty to not only recognize those who are weaker, but to help carry their load -- again, not their physical load, but their spiritual load. We are to help them by ignoring any offenses, but also to guide them to where they need to be. This requires selflessness, patience (denying ourselves - Matt 16:24)-- the only way to be successful helping others with their weaknesses. In their weakness, they can easily do offensive things (they can't help it -- they are weak), and we are to see through that to their real needs.

Comments are closed.