Do You Walk too Fast and Make It Tough for Other Christians to Keep Up?
The stronger we become as Christians, the more tempting it is to run at a pace that others cannot keep up. So what do we do about this? Romans 15 has some answers.
Being a strong Christian is good, but it comes with some parameters.
After Paul gives a lengthy discussion on how to treat weaker Christians in Romans 14, he pivots to identify himself with those who are strong. In Romans 15:1-2, he says, 1 “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”
As James Edwards writes, “In Greek the term for strong is literally ‘those who are able,’ i.e., those who have the power and means of dominating others.”[1] In a Christian sense, it’s those who are more mature in their faith, have a fuller understanding of God, and can better discern how Christ would respond in nuanced situations.
As Douglas Moo writes, “The verb ‘bear’ (bastazo) has the same force here that it does in Galatians 6:2, where Paul exhorts believers to ‘Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.’”[2] We should not look down on the weak or distance ourselves from them. We’re to help them bear the heavy loads they carry.
In context, this refers to walking with someone who cannot operate at our pace. They haven’t read as much of the Bible as we have. They are making “dumb” mistakes we haven’t made in years. They place a higher priority on certain topics that we think are tertiary. Still, Paul would say that rather than plunging ahead, we are to slow down and help carry their load.
The primary group responsible for breaking down barriers between the strong and weak is the strong. Everett F. Harrison and Donald A. Hagner note that if strong Christians “are interested simply in maintaining their own position, the gulf between the two groups will not be narrowed and the weak will continue to be critical and resentful. But if the strong will reach out the hand of fellowship and support, this will serve as a bridge. So to the strong belongs the responsibility of taking the initiative.”[3]
The stronger we become as Christians, the more tempting it is to run at a pace that others cannot keep up. We grow frustrated with those in our small groups or church communities who “just can’t seem to get it.” They’re always misinterpreting scripture, acting overly conscientious, and routinely lagging behind. But it’s here where Paul would challenge us to be more like Christ.
In Matthew 23:4, Jesus said of the religious leaders, “They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.” Unfortunately, this is the tale of one too many “strong Christians.” Christians who are so eager to help others reach their level that they stop walking with others as Jesus walked with them. So what should a strong person do? As Douglas Moo writes, “The strong are actively and lovingly to assume the burden that the weak are not able to carry for themselves, moderating their own conduct to identify as much as possible with them.”[4]
What does this look like practically? It means putting others ahead of yourself. Even in those moments you’re tempted to run fast and yell at others to keep up, you slow down and walk beside them. You remember how patient Christ has been with you, and it’s out of this tremendous love you’ve been shown that you choose to extend this same love to others who are weak.
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[1]James R. Edwards, Romans, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series. Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2011), 336.
[2]Douglas J. Moo, Romans, eds. Terry C. Muck, The NIV Application Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000), 471.
[3]Everett F. Harrison and Donald A. Hagner, “Romans,” in Romans–Galatians, vol. 11 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Revised Edition. eds. Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland; Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008), 213.
[4]Douglas J. Moo, Romans, eds. Terry C. Muck, The NIV Application Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000), 471.
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