Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Romans 14 addresses a timeless challenge within the Christian community: how to maintain unity and love when believers hold differing views on matters not explicitly defined by Scripture. Paul, having laid the groundwork for understanding God's grace and our transformed lives in Christ, now turns to the practical implications of living together in the church, particularly when disagreements arise. This chapter offers invaluable guidance on how to handle "disputable matters" with grace, wisdom, and a focus on building up one another in love.
The Context: Disputable Matters
Paul transitions from the clear-cut instructions about light and darkness in Romans 13 to the more nuanced area of "disputable matters" (Romans 14:1). These are issues where sincere Christians may hold differing convictions, often stemming from cultural backgrounds, personal experiences, or varying interpretations of Old Testament laws. In the Roman church, these disagreements centered on practices related to Jewish law, such as dietary restrictions (eating meat offered to idols or considered "unclean") and the observance of special days.
The core issue Paul addresses remains relevant today. While God's Word is clear on major moral and theological issues, many aspects of Christian living allow for individual discretion. How do we navigate these differences without causing division or hindering the church's mission?
Welcoming One Another (Romans 14:1-4)
Paul urges those with "stronger" faith – those who understand their freedom in Christ – to welcome those with "weaker" faith, without passing judgment on their scruples (Romans 14:1). The term "weaker" here doesn't imply spiritual inferiority, but rather a more sensitive conscience regarding certain practices. These believers may still be wrestling with the implications of their freedom in Christ.
Paul emphasizes that God has welcomed both groups into His family. Therefore, neither group has the right to reject the other. We are not each other's masters; we are all servants of the Lord, and it is before Him that we stand or fall (Romans 14:4). Each person is accountable to God, not to the opinions of other believers.
Personal Conviction and Honoring the Lord (Romans 14:5-9)
Each believer should be fully convinced in their own mind about their practices and act in a way that honors the Lord (Romans 14:5). Whether one chooses to eat certain foods or observe certain days, the motivation should be to please God and give thanks to Him (Romans 14:6). The focus is on the heart's intention to honor the Lord in all things.
Paul underscores that our lives, whether in life or death, belong to the Lord (Romans 14:7-8). Christ died and rose again to be Lord of both the living and the dead (Romans 14:9). This reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to Him, not to the approval of others.
Avoiding Judgment (Romans 14:10-12)
The apostle strongly warns against judging one another (Romans 14:10). Instead, we should remember that we will all stand before the judgment seat of God and give an account of ourselves (Romans 14:12). Our focus should be on our own relationship with God and our own obedience to His Word, rather than policing the behavior of others. As Jesus said, it is foolish to point out a speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye if you have a two-by-four in your own (Matthew 7:3).
Love and Consideration for Others (Romans 14:13-23)
While we are not to judge, this doesn't mean we are free to disregard the impact of our actions on others. Paul urges believers to "make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister" (Romans 14:13).
Freedom is related to knowledge. As we grow in our understanding of God's grace, we experience greater freedom in Christ. However, knowledge alone is not enough; it must be tempered with love (Romans 14:15). Using our freedom in a way that causes another believer to stumble is a misuse of that freedom and can even be considered sin.
Paul emphasizes that the kingdom of God is not primarily about external things like eating and drinking, but about "righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). Our relationships with one another are more important than adherence to particular rules or preferences.
The goal is to pursue what promotes peace and mutual edification (Romans 14:19). We are given freedom to build up the body of Christ, not to tear it down. It is good to avoid anything that causes a brother or sister to stumble (Romans 14:21).
Paul concludes by reminding us that our conscience plays a vital role. "Everything that does not come from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). If we have doubts about whether something is right for us, we should abstain. Our conscience is like a metal detector, alerting us to areas where we may not yet be free to tread.
Practical Application for Today
Romans 14 provides a framework for navigating disagreements within the church with grace and love. Here are some key takeaways:
- Focus on the Essentials: Prioritize unity on core doctrines and moral principles clearly taught in Scripture.
- Extend Grace: Recognize that believers may hold differing convictions on non-essential matters.
- Respect Conscience: Avoid pressuring others to violate their conscience, even if you disagree with their scruples.
- Prioritize Love: Let love be the guiding principle in all interactions, seeking to build up and encourage one another.
- Examine Motives: Ensure that your actions are motivated by a desire to honor the Lord and serve others, not by a need to be right or to impose your preferences.
- Guard Your Freedom: Be mindful of how your freedom impacts others, and be willing to limit your freedom for the sake of unity and love.
By applying these principles, we can create a church environment where believers can disagree agreeably, grow in their faith, and fulfill their mission together. The kingdom of God is not about the food you eat, but the relationships you have.
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Romans 14 addresses a timeless challenge within the Christian community: how to maintain unity and love when believers hold differing views on matters not explicitly defined by Scripture. Paul, having laid the groundwork for understanding God's grace and our transformed lives in Christ, now turns to the practical implications of living together in the church, particularly when disagreements arise. This chapter offers invaluable guidance on how to handle "disputable matters" with grace, wisdom, and a focus on building up one another in love.
The Context: Disputable Matters
Paul transitions from the clear-cut instructions about light and darkness in Romans 13 to the more nuanced area of "disputable matters" (Romans 14:1). These are issues where sincere Christians may hold differing convictions, often stemming from cultural backgrounds, personal experiences, or varying interpretations of Old Testament laws. In the Roman church, these disagreements centered on practices related to Jewish law, such as dietary restrictions (eating meat offered to idols or considered "unclean") and the observance of special days.
The core issue Paul addresses remains relevant today. While God's Word is clear on major moral and theological issues, many aspects of Christian living allow for individual discretion. How do we navigate these differences without causing division or hindering the church's mission?
Welcoming One Another (Romans 14:1-4)
Paul urges those with "stronger" faith – those who understand their freedom in Christ – to welcome those with "weaker" faith, without passing judgment on their scruples (Romans 14:1). The term "weaker" here doesn't imply spiritual inferiority, but rather a more sensitive conscience regarding certain practices. These believers may still be wrestling with the implications of their freedom in Christ.
Paul emphasizes that God has welcomed both groups into His family. Therefore, neither group has the right to reject the other. We are not each other's masters; we are all servants of the Lord, and it is before Him that we stand or fall (Romans 14:4). Each person is accountable to God, not to the opinions of other believers.
Personal Conviction and Honoring the Lord (Romans 14:5-9)
Each believer should be fully convinced in their own mind about their practices and act in a way that honors the Lord (Romans 14:5). Whether one chooses to eat certain foods or observe certain days, the motivation should be to please God and give thanks to Him (Romans 14:6). The focus is on the heart's intention to honor the Lord in all things.
Paul underscores that our lives, whether in life or death, belong to the Lord (Romans 14:7-8). Christ died and rose again to be Lord of both the living and the dead (Romans 14:9). This reminds us that our ultimate allegiance is to Him, not to the approval of others.
Avoiding Judgment (Romans 14:10-12)
The apostle strongly warns against judging one another (Romans 14:10). Instead, we should remember that we will all stand before the judgment seat of God and give an account of ourselves (Romans 14:12). Our focus should be on our own relationship with God and our own obedience to His Word, rather than policing the behavior of others. As Jesus said, it is foolish to point out a speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye if you have a two-by-four in your own (Matthew 7:3).
Love and Consideration for Others (Romans 14:13-23)
While we are not to judge, this doesn't mean we are free to disregard the impact of our actions on others. Paul urges believers to "make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister" (Romans 14:13).
Freedom is related to knowledge. As we grow in our understanding of God's grace, we experience greater freedom in Christ. However, knowledge alone is not enough; it must be tempered with love (Romans 14:15). Using our freedom in a way that causes another believer to stumble is a misuse of that freedom and can even be considered sin.
Paul emphasizes that the kingdom of God is not primarily about external things like eating and drinking, but about "righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). Our relationships with one another are more important than adherence to particular rules or preferences.
The goal is to pursue what promotes peace and mutual edification (Romans 14:19). We are given freedom to build up the body of Christ, not to tear it down. It is good to avoid anything that causes a brother or sister to stumble (Romans 14:21).
Paul concludes by reminding us that our conscience plays a vital role. "Everything that does not come from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). If we have doubts about whether something is right for us, we should abstain. Our conscience is like a metal detector, alerting us to areas where we may not yet be free to tread.
Practical Application for Today
Romans 14 provides a framework for navigating disagreements within the church with grace and love. Here are some key takeaways:
- Focus on the Essentials: Prioritize unity on core doctrines and moral principles clearly taught in Scripture.
- Extend Grace: Recognize that believers may hold differing convictions on non-essential matters.
- Respect Conscience: Avoid pressuring others to violate their conscience, even if you disagree with their scruples.
- Prioritize Love: Let love be the guiding principle in all interactions, seeking to build up and encourage one another.
- Examine Motives: Ensure that your actions are motivated by a desire to honor the Lord and serve others, not by a need to be right or to impose your preferences.
- Guard Your Freedom: Be mindful of how your freedom impacts others, and be willing to limit your freedom for the sake of unity and love.
By applying these principles, we can create a church environment where believers can disagree agreeably, grow in their faith, and fulfill their mission together. The kingdom of God is not about the food you eat, but the relationships you have.