"Now under obligation are we, the able, to bear the weaknesses of the unable and not [merely] to please our own selves. Let each of us please his neighbor for the Good with a view to upbuilding." Romans 15:1 Lenski
I love some of Lenski's commentary on this. He says, "If those who regard themselves among the strong and able fail to carry the weaknesses of the unable, they demonstrate that they are mistaken, that they still belong to the unable, that they, too, must still be carried."
Amen. I've seen this so clearly in some of the churches I've been to. This should teach us all to look at ourselves closely and be honest with ourselves. So we "take heed when we THINK (imagine) that we stand, lest we fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12) And to realize our weaknesses so that God is able to give us the strength (ability) to actually DO what He says. If we think we are able and yet are unable God cannot give us what we need. The very root word of petition and prayer is the acknowledgment of our lack, and bringing that acknowledgment before God so that He may give us what we so desperately NEED.
"Able" and "unable" are exact opposites, antonyms (dunatos and A/dunatos - Strong's Greek 1400/102). "Ought" means OBLIGATED [to]. To OWE. "Bear" is the English translation of the Greek word βαστάζω (Strong's 941). The exact Greek word is used by Paul in Galatians 6:2 when he says, "Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ." Later Paul says something similar, but very different. He says, "For each one should bear his own burden." (Galatians 6:5) "Burdens" in Galatians 6:2 is the English translation of the Greek word βάρος (Strong's 922). "Burden" used In Galatians 6:5 is the English translation of the DIFFERENT Greek word φορτίον (Strong's 5413). One of these burdens is heavier than the other. One of these burdens requires assistance, while the other does not. The second is the exact same Greek word in which Christ tells us "for my burden is LIGHT..." (Matthew 11:30b) THAT is the "burden" Paul tells us we must carry ourselves!
This is one example of why it is important to look at the Greek words underneath the substandard English translation. Especially the substandard KJV translation which makes it look like Paul is contradicting himself in Galatians 6:2 and 6:5!
And as in Galatians 6:2 we have the most powerful statement possibly in the New Covenant writings ("and so fulfill the law of Christ"), Paul's similar teachings in the epistle to the Romans expounds with a few more details and brings us to the very important statement,
A. "For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
B. "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."
Christ did this for us and we are taught to follow Christ's example. The whole written word of God tells us the same thing, "Love your neighbor as yourself." And thus fulfill the law of Christ!
Tommy Richards
I love some of Lenski's commentary on this. He says, "If those who regard themselves among the strong and able fail to carry the weaknesses of the unable, they demonstrate that they are mistaken, that they still belong to the unable, that they, too, must still be carried."
Amen. I've seen this so clearly in some of the churches I've been to. This should teach us all to look at ourselves closely and be honest with ourselves. So we "take heed when we THINK (imagine) that we stand, lest we fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12) And to realize our weaknesses so that God is able to give us the strength (ability) to actually DO what He says. If we think we are able and yet are unable God cannot give us what we need. The very root word of petition and prayer is the acknowledgment of our lack, and bringing that acknowledgment before God so that He may give us what we so desperately NEED.
"Able" and "unable" are exact opposites, antonyms (dunatos and A/dunatos - Strong's Greek 1400/102). "Ought" means OBLIGATED [to]. To OWE. "Bear" is the English translation of the Greek word βαστάζω (Strong's 941). The exact Greek word is used by Paul in Galatians 6:2 when he says, "Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ." Later Paul says something similar, but very different. He says, "For each one should bear his own burden." (Galatians 6:5) "Burdens" in Galatians 6:2 is the English translation of the Greek word βάρος (Strong's 922). "Burden" used In Galatians 6:5 is the English translation of the DIFFERENT Greek word φορτίον (Strong's 5413). One of these burdens is heavier than the other. One of these burdens requires assistance, while the other does not. The second is the exact same Greek word in which Christ tells us "for my burden is LIGHT..." (Matthew 11:30b) THAT is the "burden" Paul tells us we must carry ourselves!
This is one example of why it is important to look at the Greek words underneath the substandard English translation. Especially the substandard KJV translation which makes it look like Paul is contradicting himself in Galatians 6:2 and 6:5!
And as in Galatians 6:2 we have the most powerful statement possibly in the New Covenant writings ("and so fulfill the law of Christ"), Paul's similar teachings in the epistle to the Romans expounds with a few more details and brings us to the very important statement,
A. "For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
B. "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."
Christ did this for us and we are taught to follow Christ's example. The whole written word of God tells us the same thing, "Love your neighbor as yourself." And thus fulfill the law of Christ!
Tommy Richards
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