Read & explore together
Accept One Another
Romans 15:1-6 teaches believers to use strength for the good of others. Paul points away from self-pleasing, points to Christ’s example, and ends with a prayer for shared thinking and shared praise to God.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of Romans gives direct teaching to believers about relationships within the church. Paul speaks about the strong and the weak, brings in Christ as the example, explains what earlier Scriptures were written for, and prays for unity that leads to glorifying God together.
Romans 15:1–6Main takeaway
Believers are to bear weaknesses, seek a neighbour’s good, learn hope from Scripture, and glorify God together with one accord.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Strength is for bearing weaknessPaul begins by addressing those who are strong. Their strength is not for pleasing themselves.
Explanation
Paul begins by addressing those who are strong. Their strength is not for pleasing themselves. They ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak. He then broadens the instruction to each one of us: please a neighbour for what is good, with the aim of building that person up.
02Christ did not please himselfPaul supports this teaching with the example of Christ. Christ did not please himself. Paul then quotes words about reproaches falling on him.
Explanation
Paul supports this teaching with the example of Christ. Christ did not please himself. Paul then quotes words about reproaches falling on him. In this passage, the point is clear and direct: Christ is the pattern for refusing self-pleasing and bearing reproach.
03Earlier Scriptures were written for our learningPaul explains why the earlier writings matter. They were written for our learning. Through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures, believers might have hope.
Explanation
Paul explains why the earlier writings matter. They were written for our learning. Through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures, believers might have hope. This verse connects Scripture with learning, perseverance, encouragement, and hope, all named plainly in the text.
04God gives perseverance and encouragementPaul turns from explanation to prayer. He calls God the God of perseverance and of encouragement, matching the words he has just used about Scripture.
Explanation
Paul turns from explanation to prayer. He calls God the God of perseverance and of encouragement, matching the words he has just used about Scripture. He asks that believers be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus. Unity here is presented as God’s gracious gift.
05One accord and one mouthThe prayer has a purpose. Paul wants believers to glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one accord and with one mouth.
Explanation
The prayer has a purpose. Paul wants believers to glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one accord and with one mouth. Shared thinking is not an end in itself. It leads to united praise directed to God together.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What contrast does Paul make in Romans 15:1-2 about how the strong should act?
Look for the difference between pleasing ourselves and doing what is good for a neighbour so that the neighbour is built up.
02How does Romans 15:3 strengthen Paul’s instruction about others?
Notice the two parts of the verse: Christ did not please himself, and Paul adds a quotation about reproaches falling on him.
03What does Paul ask God to give, and why, in Romans 15:5-6?
Trace the movement from being of the same mind to having one accord and one mouth to glorify God.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Romans 15:1–6
1Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.
3For even Christ didn’t please himself. But, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
4For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
6that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.