Romans 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

The expression “It’s Greek to me!” fell into common use for good reason. Here is an example of how purists try and retain Greek meaning without clarity of understanding. None of the English translations bring any real clarity as to the meaning of the Greek, so they all leave it as “please his neighbor” so as not to add confusion.

Perhaps it is to allow the Holy Spirit to bring clarity where linguistics cannot.

Please here in the Greek is aresko which means to accommodate one’s self to the opinions, desires and interests of others. This by itself opposes other scriptures telling us not to be conformed to this world and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

How does verse 14 compare to verse 2 given that Paul is writing to the same people? Is this perhaps a modern the day expression “the carrot and the stick”? In verse 2 he encourages use of the carrot, in 14 the use of the stick. Encouragement should always come before correction. You are on the right path. Stay on the path.

I am persuaded of this because of verse 1 which was not quoted to me, but to which I am familiar.

15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Maturity of faith and grace do not come upon us all in an instant. Wisdom takes time. We who sheppard others have a responsibility to Christ first and not to our own selves. We too are on a journey towards maturity and have not yet been perfected.

15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

To serve and protect.

Proverbs 24:12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

We deal with people every day and I have considered how much easier it would be to deal with people if I knew what was in their heart. That aggressive salesman, is he being honest or deceitful? The man across the street looking at my daughter, is he smitten or a predator? The man buying a gun, is he sound of mind or suicidal?

How trustful or cautious we are is based upon training and experience. If we could know what is in the heart of people couldn’t we eliminate fear of others and their intensions? Wouldn’t life be easier to deal with?

As a Christian, if you are a Christian, knowing the heart of Saul of Tarsus and his intentions to find and kill Christians in Damacus, would you have killed him or saved him?

It seems that knowing what is on a man’s heart does not give you insight to what will change that heart. It will only cause you to react upon what you see. It is judgment without future knowledge and justice without mercy.

Our responsibility as Christians is not to see people for what they are nor what they could be. It is our responsibility to show them what we were and what we are, giving praise and glory to the one who changed our hearts.