‘Give way!’ says the road sign, as the traffic lanes merge. Are you the sort of person in life who tends to give way when there’s conflict or do you dig in your heels? The truth is, of course, that sometimes we need to be able to stand firm and sometimes we need to be able to give way, or to negotiate. Love ‘is not self-seeking,’ says the apostle elsewhere (1 Corinthians 13:5). Paul is saying here we need to develop an ability to give way to others (‘not to please ourselves’, v 1). 

The supreme example is so obvious we might miss it – the Lord Jesus himself. His whole ministry and sacrifice could be summed up as not pleasing himself. The Old Testament reinforces this, highlighting for us how he willingly suffered in his Father’s service (v 3).

All this is very practical. The Scriptures, as always, give us encouragement to endure (v 4). Jesus’ example inspires us to live for the good of others, not just for our own pleasure (v 2). In the church fellowship, there are bound to be some tensions and differences of opinion. But, if everyone shows this same generosity of spirit toward each other that Jesus showed, then our worship and our fellowship will glorify God so much more (vs 5,6).