"Should we try to please others?" (Alleged Contradiction #E4000)
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
Romans 15:2-3
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
I Corinthians 10:33
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10
Response
We are to put others before ourselves and not to be selfish. In this way, we attempt to please others rather than ourselves. However, when it comes to preaching the truth, we cannot be concerned about what others think: we must please God. Otherwise, we are no longer preaching the truth but simply preaching what others want to hear.
Put another way, we are to put God first, others second, and ourselves last. Thus, we should please others above ourselves, but when there is a conflict between pleasing others and pleasing God, we should please God.
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