Bible Strands
Romans 15:1
We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Roman church, addressing those with stronger faith ("we who are strong") in the wake of the disputes over dietary laws and holy days in chapter 14.
The words — ἀσθενήματα (asthenēmata) is the noun "weaknesses," not merely "weak people"; the obligation is to bear the specific infirmities themselves.
The thread — The same duty appears in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (be patient with everyone) and 1 Corinthians 9:22 (to the weak I became weak); Romans 14:1 frames it as acceptance without judgment.
Why it lands — The verse is a command, not a suggestion: the stronger party owes the weaker one forbearance, and self-pleasing is explicitly ruled out as the alternative.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Cross-references
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
- Romans 14:1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.
- 1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
- Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
- 1 Corinthians 12:22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
- Romans 4:20 Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
- 2 Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
- 1 John 2:14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
- Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.