Romans 15
A theme of this chapter is that as members of the fellow body of Christ, we ought to bear with each other’s struggles and support each other in times of weaknesses.
Continuing on from Romans 14, Paul’s concludes: We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves (Rom 15:1). Among the believers, there may be those are weaker in faith, and have to abide by certain rules in their lives of faith. These are not rules of faith in the Bible, rather individual standards of faith, which if not upheld, may lead these brethren to think they are not pleasing God and grieve (Rom 14:15). This could refer to, for example, eating certain kinds of food. Today, there may be some members who may not be comfortable doing certain things (which are not wrong in themselves), perhaps because of a lack of understanding or maturity in their faith.
The instruction from Paul, is not to condemn the weak in their faith, to correct them, but to bear with them in their weaknesses. These actions may lead to disputes, causing our brethren to be offended and stumble (Rom 14:21), dividing the body of Christ instead.
Knowing that each member of the body has been given a certain measure of faith (Rom 12:3), we ought to be sensitive to one another’s conscience, the rationale being to please one another, and not ourselves, leading to edification (Rom 15:2), just as Christ did not seek to please Himself (v2) but became a servant for the truth if God (v8).
As I read the first part of this chapter, I am reminded of a few verses:
from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Eph 4:16)
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Phil 2:4)
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:2)
As members of the body, we ought to edify one another in love, seeking not our own interests, but that of others and to serve them. This can also be in terms of physical struggles such as when the believers in Macedonia and Achaia made contributions to the poor believers who were in Jerusalem (v26) or through intercessory prayers when others are in times of difficulties (v30-31).
Through our care for one another, being understanding of one another and supporting each other through weaknesses and struggles, we walk in love and edify one another, to the glory of God.