We who are strong: Paul includes himself among those he calls strong in faith. This shows that the division in the Roman church was not simply between Jews and Gentiles. Like Paul, some Jews had informed consciences and were counted among the strong. In the same way, some Gentiles were deeply influenced by Jewish teaching and tradition and were counted among the weak in faith.
ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak: This idea is similar to Galatians 6:2. Paul did not want the strong merely to tolerate those who were weak in faith. Instead, the strong were to help them actively and with care, so the weak could live out their Christian faith with integrity (see also Galatians 5:13–15).