John Calvin Commentary Romans 15:1

"Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves." — Romans 15:1 (ASV)

We then who are strong, etc. Lest those who had made more progress than others in the knowledge of God should think it unreasonable that a greater burden was to be laid on them than on others, he shows for what purpose this strength, by which they excelled others, was given to them: namely, that they might sustain the weak in such a way as to prevent them from falling.

For as God has destined those to whom he has granted superior knowledge to convey instruction to the ignorant, so to those whom he makes strong he commits the duty of supporting the weak by their strength. Thus, all gifts ought to be shared among all the members of Christ. Therefore, the stronger anyone is in Christ, the more obligated he is to bear with the weak.

By saying that a Christian ought not to please himself, he implies that one ought not to be intent on satisfying oneself, as those are accustomed to be who are content with their own judgment and heedlessly neglect others. This is indeed a most suitable admonition on the present subject, for nothing impedes and checks acts of kindness more than when anyone is too much absorbed in himself, so that he has no concern for others and follows only his own inclinations and feelings.