“Ought To” Bear The Infirmities Of The Weak?

Rom 15:1  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Rom 15:2  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

Rom 15:3  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

The instruction given by the Apostle Paul in verse one is similar to what a parent would say about their child in whom they love. This is what we were being educated about in chapter 14, having ‘care’ for the weaker brother. And what we should have understood was that their godly edifying ‘care’ is very important to God, and it ought to be for us as well. And we should do all things unto their ‘edifying good.’ We are being educated to teach ‘as a father!’ and notice the instruction given unto the strong; he has a ‘reputation’ as the “strong,” and with that being said, he has a responsibility unto God’s “servant” to edify him for his Spiritual “good.” The strong in Christ has an ‘Ensample’ in Christ’s likeness in the verses above, as Paul says, “for even Christ pleased not Himself;” and we too ought to have this mind as well working within us also.

1Co 4:14  I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 

1Co 4:15  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 

1Co 4:16  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 

1Co 4:17  For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. 

Moreover, when someone says that they “ought to” do something for someone else, this is usually associated with someone who has ‘care’ for another. But the strong in the faith does not ‘have to’ bear the infirmities of the weak, but Paul urges those who are as he is; (“strong”) to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please themselves. And Spiritually caring for the weak concerns the godly edifying with the doctrine which is according to godliness by the sanctifying Word provided by our Father. He has equipped the Saints with His Word to be edified, and to be ‘built up’ unto a perfect man, and one who could also now teach as a ‘father’ unto “him that is weak in the faith.” Our Father Desires strong in the faith Saints who are also desiring to be in the image of His Son as adopted “sons” themselves, but sons that have a desire to teach and bear the burdens of those who have doctrinal infirmities. But this burden placed upon the son is given by the father unto those that have a desire to teach and carry this burden as a debtor unto him, with the desire knowing that like the Father has giving him this adoption he too ought to walk in this identity as a “son” that is strong in the faith, and walk in the selfless example given by our Lord and Savior, “and walk in love as Christ also” for Christ’s sake, and for the sakes of other Saints to their “good to edification,” and not for our own sakes, and as an adopted son BE “like as Christ also,” as “DEAR children,” not just “children” who could be “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” This is ‘sonship.’

Eph 5:1  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 

Eph 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 

Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 

Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 

Therefore, just as Ephesians chapter 4:14 clearly says, a ‘child of God’ could be toss to and fro by men today, but this is done by men who are in a ‘teaching role’ unto the Saint. The men of this world will teach, and it is his desire, and objective to teach the men of this world his wisdom, Satan knows that God has given the man the desire to teach others. This is part of the ‘attribute’ of the man in the likeness of God, God created man to not only desire knowledge and wisdom, but also have a desire to teach it unto others. And looking at the contrast between Ephesians chapter 5, and Ephesians chapter 4, both Saints our children of God, but one Saint Could be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, and this is because he is not coming to the “unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” And a “perfect man” would desire to HAVE the “knowledge of the Son of God,” and in the Likeness of the “fulness of Christ,” but the ‘child of God’ doesn’t ‘have to,’ but based upon what he has been taught, as a “debtor” he “ought to” desire to be as a “dear” child in the sight of our Father.

1Ti 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 

1Ti 4:11  These things command and teach. 

2Ti 2:1  Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

2Ti 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 

2Ti 2:14  Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 

Finally, Part of bearing the infirmities of the weak and not pleasing ourselves has the selflessness of our Lord living in our hearts, and regardless what the “strong” face, it is for the ‘Spiritual infirmities’ of the Saints that “ought to” be kept in view. And with that being said, there are sufferings associated with not only presenting the gospel, but also the spiritual warfare that is associated with the ‘identity of Christ’ and walking in godliness. Satan and the men of this world have a hatred for our Lord and Savior, but also for the doctrine “which is according to godliness” as well, this doctrine exposes the wisdom of this world, in the heart of men who are conformed unto it. And the sufferings of Christ, and the sufferings of this present time will cause the Saint tribulation and distress in this world, but he is given the doctrine by “the God of peace,” and “the God of all comfort” to endure these things and be a partaker of the afflictions of Christ in his sufferings. And as we can clearly see by the Bible verses used in this study, God desires that His Saints be teachers who also desire to teach ‘teachers’ to be teachers of sound doctrine, but also, understand that there is sufferings associated with not only walking as a Saint in this present time, but also there are the sufferings for Christ’s sake in the ministry of the Saints. A son who desires to be a debtor, and a living sacrifice understands the necessity to be transformed by the renewing of his mind unto “the knowledge of His Son, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” this identity, and proving, and likeness. The saint doesn’t ‘have to,’ but based upon the doctrine taught unto him, he knows that the “spiritual mind” can please God, not the carnal mind, he also knows that a ‘son of God’ would “live” as a “debtor” out of selflessness, but again, he doesn’t ‘have to, but he “ought to” desire what is “well pleasing” in his Father’s sight, this is what ‘sonship’ is all about.

2Ti 1:11  Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 

2Ti 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 

2Ti 1:13  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 

2Ti 1:14  That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. 

Rod Jones