Romans 15:3

The apostle illustrated the commitment to doing the will of God that he advocated with the example of Jesus Christ. In Him we can see the difference between a people pleaser and a people lover. Sacrificing His own preferences for the welfare of others did not make Him acceptable to everyone, but it did make Him acceptable to His Father. David voiced the testimony that Paul quoted here regarding his zeal for God’s house (Psalms 69:9). Christians need to show as strong commitment to building up God’s spiritual house as David displayed in promoting His physical house.

"Convictions about what constitutes Christian conduct sometimes reflect ecclesiastical and social backgrounds, but the principles written in this passage are timeless. They may be stated as follows: Christians (1) are not to judge the practice of other Christians in respect to doubtful things (Romans 15:3); (2) are personally accountable to God for their actions (Romans 15:12); (3) are not to do anything that will put a stumbling block before their brethren (Romans 15:13); (4) have Christian liberty regarding what they do (Romans 15:14; Romans 15:20); (5) are to do what will edify their brethren (Romans 15:19); (6) should, for the sake of their weaker brethren, voluntarily abstain from certain practices (Romans 15:21); (7) are to do only what can be done without self-condemnation (Romans 15:22); and (8) are to follow the example of Christ, who did not live to please Himself (Romans 15:1-3)." [Note: The New Scofield . . ., p. 1228.]