Romans 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.The word please is most commonly used today as a polite verbal accessory to any request. This usage is actually a shortened version of the old phrase: “If it please you…” This antiquated expression was considered polite language because the user expressed consideration for the other person before their own request should be considered.
This remnant of polite verbiage is also a remnant of a Christian principle which flowed out of this section of Romans. The word please, in this passage, means “to express interest in accommodating others by meeting their needs or carrying out important obligations” BDAG It is intended to contribute a tone of special worth and dignity to a relationship.
This passage doesn't instruct us to use this word in our language, it instructs us to live this word in our relationships with others. My attention should be on my neighbor and his needs. And my thoughts should be trailing my attention with questions like, “What can I do to build his life up… make it better?” And then I should act on my thoughts. Ah… this would make for a great neighborhood wouldn’t it?
What if all your neighbors thought this way? It would be an outrageous neighborhood! But this kind of thinking would also make for a great parent/family, friend/church, citizen/nation, colleague/work place, etc… a Great Life!
Jesus was mentioned in this passage as the example of this kind of living. His neighbors were people who “reproached” Him. This word described neighbors who used insulting, dishonorable language against Jesus and His Father. Not the kind of neighbors anyone would want, but, without God's grace, this is a description of all of us. Wow... He endured insults from his neighbors, while putting their needs above His own by bearing away our guilt on the cross. Lord... help me be a good neighbor.
This passage doesn't instruct us to use this word in our language, it instructs us to live this word in our relationships with others. My attention should be on my neighbor and his needs. And my thoughts should be trailing my attention with questions like, “What can I do to build his life up… make it better?” And then I should act on my thoughts. Ah… this would make for a great neighborhood wouldn’t it?
What if all your neighbors thought this way? It would be an outrageous neighborhood! But this kind of thinking would also make for a great parent/family, friend/church, citizen/nation, colleague/work place, etc… a Great Life!
Jesus was mentioned in this passage as the example of this kind of living. His neighbors were people who “reproached” Him. This word described neighbors who used insulting, dishonorable language against Jesus and His Father. Not the kind of neighbors anyone would want, but, without God's grace, this is a description of all of us. Wow... He endured insults from his neighbors, while putting their needs above His own by bearing away our guilt on the cross. Lord... help me be a good neighbor.
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