For Even Christ Didn’t Please Himself

Recalling the sacrificial heart with which Christ gave himself up on the cross to atone for our sins, this passage deals with how believers who are strong in faith should treat those who are weak in faith. The apostle Paul commands the strong to bear the weaknesses of the weak and not to please themselves, and emphasises that this is God's will, leaving no room for choice.

Believers armed with the words of Scripture must set aside their selfishness and live lives that carry their brothers' burdens. This goes beyond mere endurance: it is an active devotion that humbles itself and pours out love for the other's growth. And just as there was discrimination between Jews and Gentiles in that time, today too, believers of different backgrounds must follow Christ's love and accept one another in order to give glory to God with one mind.

When we know the truth of Scripture and are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, we come to realise that loving and helping our brothers is not hard. Then will we, as Christ delighted to do, live lives that embrace and serve one another with a faith that pleases God?