Instructions for the strong
After completing the rather lengthy section consisting mainly of negative commands, Paul now turns to positive encouragement. In this section he provides the incentive and motivation necessary for proper treatment of the weak Christian. That motivation consists basically of urging his readers to look at what Christ has been willing to do for them.
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
The NIV’s translation “We who are strong ought . . . not to please ourselves” is a literal rendering of the original, but perhaps it falls a bit short of our English idiom. Paul’s point is that we shouldn’t be guided simply by selfinterest and do as we please. Rather, our concern should be for our neighbor. We should act “for his good, to build him up.” That kind of looking out for others doesn’t come naturally. We are all inclined to be very protective of ourselves—to look out for number one.
Then where are we to find the strength to rise above such natural, selfish inclinations? Paul’s answer: Christ, who didn’t do just as he pleased but rather looked wholly to the interests of others. His situation was like that which the psalmist describes: “The insults of those who insult you fall on me” (Psalm 69:9). What happened to the psalmist as a result of following God’s will was but a dim foreshadowing of the ultimate “insult” that fell on Christ for doing his Father’s will. In describing his mission on earth, Jesus says of himself, “Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). In Christ’s sacrifice lies the power source. Christ’s love for us enables us in turn to love our weaker brother and do what’s in his best interest.
Still thinking of the psalm quotation, the apostle continues, “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” It is therefore as true for us as it was for the Twelve to whom the Son of Man first said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43,44).