Romans 15:2
“Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.”
What does Romans 15:2 mean?
When Paul writes this, he's describing a fundamental shift in how we relate to others: instead of insisting on our own preferences, we look for ways to genuinely help the people around us grow and become stronger in their faith and character. It's not about people-pleasing in the anxious sense, but about deliberately choosing actions and words that serve someone else's wellbeing rather than just our own comfort. The phrase "building him up" suggests we have real power to encourage and strengthen those near us through thoughtful choices. This takes the pressure off constantly protecting our own interests and redirects that energy toward asking: "What would actually help this person today?"