Romans 15:1-4

1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

ought — in old English, this was the past tense of “owe.”

for his good — The point isn’t to satisfy another person’s selfish desires, but to look out for his best interests.

The quote in verse 3 is from Psalm 69:9 —  For the zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached Thee are fallen upon me.

Christ voluntarily allowed man’s hostility to fall on Him. Our suffering for others is insignificant in comparison, especially when our suffering is for a weaker brother while His was for an enemy.

The quote in verse 3 is about Christ, but it was written for our benefit, so we can be comforted and so we can have the same mind as Christ.

Patience and comfort — should be “the patience and the comfort of the Scriptures.” It should also read “the hope,” specifically referring to the hope of Christ’s return.

comfort = consolation, encouragement

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