We then that are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Read Chapter 15
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
We that are stronger: The apostle goes on with his exhortation not to scandalize, or offend such as are weak, and not well instructed in faith. He brings the example of Christ, who pleased not himself, who submitted himself to the law of circumcision, when he was above the law, who bore with the weakness and sins of others, their reproaches, their blasphemies, which he could not but hate, but this to gain their souls. (Witham)
1142. The Apostle taught above that the stronger should avoid scandalizing the weak [n. 1081]; here he teaches that the stronger should bear with the failings of the weak. In regard to this he does two things: first, he proposes an admonition; secondly, he clarifies it [v. 2; 1143]. This admonition contains two parts: the first pertains to external behavior. Hence he says: Not only should we avoid scandalizing the weak, but we who are stronger in faith ought to bear with the failings of the weak. For as in a material edifice certain stronger material is selected to support the edifice’s entire weight, upon which weaker material is set, as are the foundation and pillars, so in the spiritual edifice of the Church stronger men are not only chosen but made stronger to support the weight of the others. Hence it says in Ps 75 (v. 4): "I have strengthened its pillars" and in Gal (6:2): "Bear one another’s burdens." But the stronger support the failings of the weak, when they endure the shortc...
