Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that "pleasing" others isn't about just making them feel good; it's specifically about their spiritual growth and well-being. Paul is saying our efforts to accommodate others should always be aimed at genuinely building them up in their faith, not just avoiding conflict or seeking human approval.
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing the early church, specifically navigating disagreements between Jewish and Gentile believers over practices like dietary laws and special days. He's just argued that those who are "strong" in their faith shouldn't assert their freedom in ways that might stumble their "weaker" brothers. This verse then offers the positive principle: instead of just focusing on not offending, believers should actively seek to benefit and build up one another for the good of the whole community.
The Bible talks a lot about pleasing people, but not all pleasing is good. How do we know the difference?
Paul calls believers to 'please his neighbor for his good.' This isn't about blindly agreeing with everyone or flattering them to gain favor. It's about seeking their genuine benefit.
What’s the ultimate aim when we interact with fellow believers? It's more than just getting along.
The ultimate goal in pleasing our neighbor, according to Paul, is 'to build him up' – or 'edification.' This term speaks to constructing, strengthening, and maturing someone in their faith.
Ask a follow-up
Paul doesn't just give commands; he points to the perfect model. Who is that model, and what did He do?
Paul grounds this command in the ultimate example: Jesus Christ. He says in the following verse, 'For even Christ pleased not himself.' This is the heart of Christian motivation.
Understand the original words
oikodomēn · Greek Noun/Verb (root)
To edify or build up. It signifies the process of strengthening, encouraging, or maturing someone in the faith, much like the construction of a building.
This passage echoes the principle of Romans 15:2 by urging believers not to seek their own advantage but the good of others, aiming to please everyone in everything for their spiritual benefit.
Galatians 1:10This verse presents a contrast to pleasing others for their good, highlighting that if the goal is to please people rather than Christ, then one is not a servant of Christ.
Ephesians 4:29This verse speaks to the 'building up' aspect of Romans 15:2, emphasizing that our speech should be useful for building others up according to their needs, rather than being destructive.
Philippians 2:4This passage reinforces the 'please his neighbor' command by instructing believers to look not only to their own interests but also to the interests of others, reflecting Christ's selflessness.
1 Thessalonians 5:11This verse is a direct parallel to Romans 15:2, encouraging believers to encourage and build one another up, just as they are already doing.
cambridgeRomans 15:2: "Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification."
2 . for his good to edification ] These words taken together perfectly define the principle of Christian complaisance . Cp. 1 Corinthians 10:33 , and contrast Galatians 1:10 , where St Paul treats the case of radically false doctrine, not, as here, a question of secondary practice.—“ Edification: ”—see on Romans 14:19 . The Christian’s aim in “pleasing his neighbour” was to be the harmony, advance, and strength…
bengelRomans 15:2: "Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification."
Romans 15:2 . Εἰς τὸ ἀγαθὸν , πρός οἰκοδομὴν , for good, to edification ) εἰς , unto , denotes the internal end, in respect of God; πρὸς , to , the external end, in respect of our neighbour. Good , the genus; edification , the species.
The verse highlights that "pleasing" others isn't about just making them feel good; it's specifically about their spiritual growth and well-being. Paul is saying our efforts to accommodate others should always be aimed at genuinely building them up in their faith, not just avoiding conflict or seeking human approval.
Paul is addressing the early church, specifically navigating disagreements between Jewish and Gentile believers over practices like dietary laws and special days. He's just argued that those who are "strong" in their faith shouldn't assert their freedom in ways that might stumble their "weaker" brothers. This verse then offers the positive principle: instead of just focusing on not offending, believers should actively seek to benefit and build up one another for the good of the whole community.
Paul is addressing the early church, specifically navigating disagreements between Jewish and Gentile believers over practices like dietary laws and special days. He's just argued that those who are "strong" in their faith shouldn't assert their freedom in ways that might stumble their "weaker" brothers. This verse then offers the positive principle: instead of just focusing on not offending, believers should actively seek to benefit and build up one another for the good of the whole community.
"Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." — The verse highlights that "pleasing" others isn't about just making them feel good; it's specifically about their spiritual growth and well-being. Paul is saying our efforts to accommodate others sho…
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Last reviewed October 2026