3. Please One Another (15:1-7)

Paul classified himself with the strong saints as he dealt with a basic problem–selfishness. True Christian love is not selfish; rather, it seeks to share with others and make others happy. It is even willing to carry the younger Christians, to help them along in their spiritual development. We do not endure them. We encourage them!

Of course, the great example in this is our Lord Jesus Christ. He paid a tremendous price in order to minister to us. Paul quoted Psalm 69:9 to prove his point. Does a strong Christian think he is making a great sacrifice by giving up some food or drink? Then let him measure his sacrifice by the sacrifice of Christ. No sacrifice we could ever make could match Calvary.

A person’s spiritual maturity is revealed by his discernment. He is willing to give up his rights that others might be helped. He does this, not as a burden, but as a blessing. Just as loving parents make sacrifices for their children, so the mature believer sacrifices to help younger Christians grow in the faith.

Paul shared the two sources of spiritual power from which we must draw if we are to live to please others: the Word of God (Rom. 15:4) and prayer (Rom. 15:5-6). We must confess that we sometimes get impatient with younger Christians, just as parents become impatient with their children. But the Word of God can give us the patience and encouragement that we need. Paul closed this section praying for his readers, that they might experience from God that spiritual unity that He alone can give.

This suggests to us that the local church must major in the Word of God and prayer. The first real danger to the unity of the church came because the apostles were too busy to minister God’s Word and pray (Acts 6:1-7). When they found others to share their burdens, they returned to their proper ministry, and the church experienced harmony and growth.

The result of this is, of course, glory to God (Rom. 15:7). Disunity and disagreement do not glorify God; they rob Him of glory. Abraham’s words to Lot are applicable to today: “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee … for we be brethren” (Gen. 13:8). The neighbors were watching! Abraham wanted them to see that he and Lot were different from them because they worshipped the true God. In His prayer in John 17, Jesus prayed for the unity of the church to the glory of God (John 17:20-26). Receive one another; edify one another; and please one another–all to the glory of God.

Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion

1. What principles of guidance did Paul give for gray areas? What are some examples of these areas? Which do you struggle with?
2. Why do believers sometimes disagree over what is considered “gray”?
3. Who are described as weak Christians and who are described as strong Christians? Why is this? Where would you put yourself in this spectrum?
4. What does Romans 14:1-12 say about receiving one another? How would you rate yourself in this area?
5. How can we edify one another according to Romans 14:13-23?
6. What can we do to please one another in view of Romans 15:1-7?
7. What does it mean to have Jesus as Lord? How does that affect our judgment of other believers?
8. In order to put aside selfishness and please others, we must draw on what two sources of spiritual power? How much of a priority have you made this?
9. What does it mean for believers to be “likeminded one toward another” (15:5)?
10. How do these ideas apply in our local church? Where is your church doing well? Where could it improve?