Romans 15:2-4
What is written? (ESV)
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.’ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
What does it say?
Let each one of us seek to please his neighbor to encourage him. After all, Christ did not seek to please Himself just as the Psalmist wrote of Him that the insults from those insulting You (God) fell on him. Anything written beforehand is for our instruction, so we have our hope through endurance and encouragement in the Scriptures.
What is its immediate context?
Paul has made the case that the gospel is for all – Jew and Gentile – and that all are in Christ through the “obedience of faith,” a phrase that bookends his letter (1:5, 16:26). Their faithful obedience here relates to those who are weaker in the faith and the responsibility one has toward them, not doing “anything that causes your brother to stumble” (14:21).
Paul is quoting Psalm 69:9 to make his point. In that original context, David is writing about insults aimed at God that have fallen on him.
How Romans 15:2-4 is applied across Bible answers
Top 3: Why ‘Old Testament vs. New Testament’ isn’t the best approach?
Paul, through inspiration, proves a New Covenant principle by citing a verse from a Psalm in the Old Testament and goes on to make the general point that the Old Testament is for the New Testament Christian's instruction.
