Romans 15.1-The Strong Have An Obligation To Bear The Weaknesses Of Those Who Are Not Strong And Not Please Themselves
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Thursday April 29, 2010
Romans: Romans 15:1-The Strong Have An Obligation To Bear The Weaknesses Of Those Who Are Not Strong And Not Please Themselves
Lesson # 495
Please turn in your Bibles to Romans 15:1.
This evening we will study Romans 15:1, which teaches that the strong have an obligation to bear the scruples of those who are not strong, i.e. the weak and not just please themselves.
Romans 15:1, “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.”
This passage marks a transition to a new section within the main division that appears in Romans 12:1-15:13.
It marks the transition from a discussion in Romans 14:13-23, which instructs the strong to conduct themselves according to love and not exercising their freedom in the presence of the weak to a discussion in Romans 15:1-13 that emphasizes the strong imitating Christ’s self-denial and self-sacrifice resulting in unity.
The word marks a transition to a new stage in the discussion that appeared in Romans 14:13-23 and advances this discussion further by emphasizing with the strong the importance of imitating Christ’s self-denial and self-sacrifice, which will result in unity between the weak and the strong.
“We” is the nominative first person plural form of the personal pronoun ego (ἐγώ) (eh-go), which refers of course to Paul and the strong emphasizing the comparative contrast between the strong and the weak.
“Who are strong” is the articular nominative masculine plural form of the adjective dunatos (δυνατός) (thee-nah-toce), which means “strong” with respect to conviction.
“Ought” is the first person plural present active indicative form of the verb opheilo (ὀφείλω) (owe-feel-owe), which means “to be under obligation” and is used of the strong emphasizing with the strong that they are “under obligation” to love the weak by bearing their scruples and have no choice in the matter.
The strong are under obligation to love the weak by bearing with their scruples since both groups were created by God, according to His image, redeemed at the Cross, justified through faith in Christ and fellow members of the body of Christ.
In Romans 12-14, Paul describes what it means to function according to God’s love and how it manifests itself.
The first person plural form of the verb is an “inclusive we” referring to Paul and those of his readers who were strong as indicated by the expression following it, hemeis hoi dunatoi, “we who are strong.”
“To bear” is the present active infinitive form of the verb bastazo (βαστάζω) (bah-stah-zoe), which means “to patiently and sympathetically endure” and is used with the strong with respect to conviction as its subject and the scruples of those who are weak with respect to conviction as its object.
The word denotes enduring the weaknesses of those who are weak with respect to conviction in the sense of regarding with acceptance and tolerance the scruples of those who are weak with respect to conviction.
It also denotes enduring patiently the scruples of those who are weak with respect to conviction in the sense of bearing calmly the pains or trials of the weak without complaint and willingly.
The verb also denotes being sympathetic in the sense of operating towards the weak through an affinity, interdependence or mutual association with them, marked by compassion and sensitivity, showing empathy for the weak and awareness of their needs and emotions.
Therefore, bastazo denotes regarding calmly, willingly, without complain, with acceptance and tolerance the pains or trials of the weak, being compassionate and empathetic towards them and sensitive to their needs and emotions.
In Romans 15:1, this verb bastazo speaks of the “companionship” aspect of Christian fellowship which denotes that Christians are obligated to communicate with one another and have fellowship with one another sharing with one another the things (viewpoint and thinking) of Christ (Acts. 2:42; Heb. 10:25; 2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Thess. 5:11; Rom. 1:11-12; 2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Thess 5:11; Phlm. 6).
“The weaknesses” is the articular accusative neuter plural form of the noun asthenema (ἀσθένημα) (ahss-then-ee-mah), which means “scruples” and is used of the weak.
A “scruple” is an ethical consideration or principle that inhibits action and implies doubt of the rightness of an act on grounds of principle.
Therefore, asthenema indicates that Paul wants the strong to sympathetically and patiently endure the scruples of the weak meaning their doubts as to whether it is right on the basis of the teaching of the Word of God to eat unclean meat or drink wine offered in pagan rituals or observe the special days in Israel’s calendar.
“Of those without strength” is the articular genitive masculine plural form of the adjective adunatos (ἀδύνατος) (ah-thee-nah-toce), which means “the weak” since it is used as a substantive as indicated by its articular construction and in contrast to the articular form of the adjective dunatos, “who are strong.”
Romans 15:1, “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.”
“And not just please ourselves” is an additional action that Paul wants the strong to take in relation to the weak.
“Not just please ourselves” is composed of the negative particle me (μή) (me), “not” and the present active infinitive form of the verb aresko (ἀρέσκω) (ah-res-koe), “just please” and the dative first person masculine plural form of the reflexive pronoun heautou (ἑαυτοῦ) (owf-too), “ourselves.”
The verb aresko means “to please” and is used with Paul and the strong as its subject and object and its meaning is negated by negative particle me, “not,” which denies any idea of the strong pleasing themselves.
Together, these two words form a prohibition denying any idea of the strong pleasing themselves without regard for the scruples of the weak.
The reflexive pronoun heautou means “ourselves” and emphasizes the action of Paul and the strong Christian not pleasing themselves without regard for the scruples of the weak.
It functions as a dative of advantage indicating that Paul is prohibiting the strong and himself from pleasing themselves “for their own benefit.”
My translation of Romans 15:1, “Now, we who are strong are, as an eternal spiritual truth under obligation to patiently and sympathetically endure the weak’s scruples and in addition not please ourselves for our own benefit.”
To summarize, Romans 15:1 marks a transition to a new section, which is within the sixth major section in the Roman epistle that appears in Romans 12:1-15:13.
It marks the transition from a discussion in Romans 14:13-23, which instructs the strong to conduct themselves according to love and not exercising their freedom in the presence of the weak to a discussion in Romans 15:1-13 that emphasizes the strong imitating Christ’s self-denial and self-sacrifice resulting in unity.
Romans 15:1 contains both a command and a prohibition with the former reminding the strong that they are under obligation to patiently and sympathetically endure the scruples of the weak and the latter that they are not to please themselves for their own benefit.
This idea is echoed in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 and Galatians 6:2.
1 Thessalonians 5:14, “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.” (NET Bible)
Galatians 6:2, “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (NET Bible)