Romans 15 2

Romans 15:2 kjv

Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

Romans 15:2 nkjv

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

Romans 15:2 niv

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

Romans 15:2 esv

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Romans 15:2 nlt

We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.

Romans 15 verses

Romans 15 2 Meaning

This verse commands every believer to prioritize the spiritual well-being and growth of their fellow believers. It calls for an active, intentional pursuit of what truly benefits another person, leading to their edification and strengthening in faith, rather than merely pleasing oneself or seeking superficial approval. It frames Christian interaction within the community as an opportunity to build up one another in the Lord.

Romans 15 2 Context

Romans 15:2 stands as an essential exhortation in the latter part of Paul’s letter, immediately following his call for "strong" believers to bear with the weaknesses of the "weak" (Rom 15:1) rather than pursuing their own satisfaction. This verse is deeply embedded within Paul's extensive discussion in chapters 14 and 15 concerning unity within the diverse Roman church. This diversity included both Jewish and Gentile Christians, leading to tensions over practices such as dietary laws and the observance of specific days. The "strong" believers understood their liberty in Christ, while the "weak" believers, perhaps due to conscience or lingering cultural ties, still felt bound by certain scruples. Paul's instruction here, as with the preceding verse, addresses these differences directly, urging self-sacrificial love. The historical backdrop of a religiously pluralistic and sometimes contentious community underscores the necessity of valuing brotherly love and corporate spiritual well-being above personal freedom or preference.

Romans 15 2 Word analysis

• "Let each of us" (Greek: ἕκαστος ἡμῶν - hekastos hēmōn):

  • Signifies individual responsibility; this is a personal command to every single member of the Christian community, not merely a general guideline for the group.
  • Emphasizes the universal applicability among believers.

• "please" (Greek: ἀρεσκέτω - aresketō):

  • Present active imperative, indicating a continuous, intentional action commanded of believers.
  • Meaning "to make acceptable" or "to be pleasing to." However, crucial here is its qualification by "for his good," which prevents it from being a command to engage in superficial people-pleasing, flattery, or compromising truth for mere popularity. Instead, it refers to making one's actions, words, and demeanor agreeable in order to benefit the other person spiritually.
  • It contrasts sharply with "not to please ourselves" from Rom 15:1.

• "his neighbor" (Greek: τῷ πλησίον - tō plēsion):

  • A broad biblical term meaning "the one nearby," "fellow man," or "neighbor."
  • In the immediate context of Romans 14-15, it primarily refers to fellow believers within the Christian community, especially those with whom one might have differences in conviction or practice ("weak" or "strong" brothers).
  • Encompasses anyone impacted by one's actions within the church family.

• "for his good" (Greek: εἰς τὸ ἀγαθόν - eis to agathon):

  • A critical qualifying phrase that defines the purpose and nature of the "pleasing."
  • The "good" (ἀγαθόν - agathon) refers to what is genuinely beneficial, morally sound, and spiritually wholesome for the individual, as defined by God's truth, not merely what is comfortable or personally desired.
  • It specifies that actions must genuinely contribute to the spiritual welfare and growth of the neighbor, aligning with divine purposes.

• "to build him up" (Greek: πρὸς οἰκοδομήν - pros oikodomēn):

  • This phrase indicates the ultimate aim and result of the action.
  • Οἰκοδομή (oikodomē) uses an architectural metaphor, meaning "building" or "edifice," and is frequently used by Paul to denote spiritual edification, construction, and growth in faith, knowledge, and character.
  • It means strengthening the neighbor spiritually, helping them mature in Christ, and affirming their faith journey within the community. It's about constructive spiritual development.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Let each of us please his neighbor": This initial clause emphasizes that Christian love and responsibility are individually applied, active choices directed toward others within the faith community. It underscores a posture of proactive care, putting the spiritual well-being of the neighbor ahead of personal inclinations.
  • "for his good, to build him up": These phrases are inextricably linked, serving as both a guiding principle and the ultimate goal for pleasing one's neighbor. The "good" ensures that the pleasing is never superficial or compromising, but rather focused on genuine spiritual health. The aim of "building him up" then defines this "good" as active spiritual growth and strengthening within the faith, transforming interactions into opportunities for communal spiritual construction.

Romans 15 2 Bonus section

• The instruction in Romans 15:2 is a practical application of the second greatest commandment: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt 22:39; Lev 19:18). It translates theoretical love into tangible action within the community.
• The emphasis on "his good" and "to build him up" sets a clear boundary against actions that are merely expedient, flattering, or intended to gain personal favor. True Christian pleasing always points towards spiritual benefit and never compromises God's truth or enables sinful behavior.
• This verse directly counters an individualistic approach to Christianity, asserting the communal responsibility believers have towards one another. Personal liberty is always understood within the framework of corporate unity and mutual edification.
• For the "strong" believers in Rome, this meant that while they had the right to eat certain foods, for example, their love for their "weak" brother demanded they forgo that right if it caused spiritual harm. It elevates corporate health over individual freedom in non-essential matters.

Romans 15 2 Commentary

Romans 15:2 serves as a pivotal command in Paul's call for unity and love within the diverse body of Christ. It directs every believer away from self-centered living (as contrasted in Rom 15:1) towards an intentional, altruistic posture where the spiritual flourishing of their neighbor becomes a primary concern. This "pleasing" is profoundly different from seeking human approval; it is intrinsically tied to achieving what is truly "good" for the other, meaning their spiritual welfare and growth. The ultimate objective is their "edification," an architectural metaphor highlighting the steady, careful construction of faith and character. This means considering how our actions, speech, and choices—even those we consider our Christian liberties—impact another's spiritual journey. If a freedom exercised by a "strong" believer could cause a "weak" believer to stumble or violate their conscience, love dictates restraint for the purpose of mutual upbuilding. The verse encapsulates a self-sacrificial love, modeled perfectly by Christ (Rom 15:3), that seeks to fortify and encourage others on their path of faith, preventing division and promoting harmonious spiritual development within the community.

• Example: A believer might refrain from a permissible activity if they know it consistently causes a weaker believer to struggle with temptation or doubt their own convictions.
• Example: Rather than asserting one's rights in a discussion, choosing words that affirm and instruct kindly, helping others understand biblical truth in a gentle manner.