Pleasing Others, Not Ourselves

15 Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength,^(A) and not to please ourselves. ² Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.^{(B) 3} For even Christ did not please himself.^(C) On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.^{[a](D) 4} For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction,^(E) so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. ⁵ Now may the God who gives^[b] endurance and encouragement^(F) grant you to live in harmony with one another,^(G) according to Christ Jesus, ⁶ so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ^(H) with one mind and one voice.

Glorifying God Together

⁷ Therefore welcome one another,^(I) just as^[c] Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God. ⁸ For I say that Christ became a servant of the circumcised^[d] on behalf of God’s truth,^(J) to confirm the promises to the fathers,^{(K) 9} and so that Gentiles^(L) may glorify God for his mercy.^(M) As it is written,

¹⁰ Again it says, Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people!^{[f](O) 11} And again,

¹² And again, Isaiah says,

¹³ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe^(S) so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.^(T)

The Life of the New Man

3 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^{(A) 2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^{(B) 3} For you died,^(C) and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life, appears,^(D) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(E)

⁵ Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity,^(F) lust,^(G) evil desire, and greed,^(H) which is idolatry.^{(I) 6} Because of these, God’s wrath^(J) is coming upon the disobedient,^{[b] 7} and you once walked in these things when you were living^(K) in them. ⁸ But now, put away^(L) all the following: anger,^(M) wrath,^(N) malice,^(O) slander,^(P) and filthy language from your mouth.^{(Q) 9} Do not lie^(R) to one another, since you have put off^(S) the old self^(T) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on^(U) the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your^[c] Creator.^{(V) 11} In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.^(W)

The Christian Life

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved,^(X) put on compassion, kindness,^(Y) humility,^(Z) gentleness,^(AA) and patience,^{(AB) 13} bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.^{(AC) 14} Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called^(AD) in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,^[d] singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name^(AE) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Christ in Your Home

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.^{(AF) 19} Husbands,^(AG) love your wives^(AH) and don’t be bitter^(AI) toward them. ²⁰ Children,^(AJ) obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers,^(AK) do not exasperate^(AL) your children, so that they won’t become discouraged. ²² Slaves, obey your human^(AM) masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.^{(AN) 23} Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,^{(AO) 24} knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For the wrongdoer^(AP) will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

Psalm 86

Lament and Petition

A prayer of David.