Romans 14
Exhortation to Mutual Forbearance
1 Now receive the one who is weak in the faith, and do not have disputes over differing opinions.
Weaker believers were those who thought that there was something amoral with certain meats and wines. These were neutral issues which were not mentioned in the Word of God. Believers were not to argue over these non-biblical issues.
2 One person believes in eating everything, but the weak person eats only vegetables.
This is a neutral Biblical issue. The believer has freedom to follow his own conscience.
3 The one who eats everything must not despise the one who does not, and the one who abstains must not judge the one who eats everything, for God has accepted him.
Since there is liberty in these non-biblical issues, neither group is to argue about these issues. The strong believer is not to look down upon the weaker believer. The weaker believer is not to judge the stronger believer.
Does the church have an oral law that is not found is Scripture? Yes, it does. Many churches add their own oral law, such as no smoking, no drinking, no dancing, no watching movies, no wearing shorts, no card-playing, etc. There are all amoral issues that are not mentioned in the Bible. Therefore, the believer has Christian liberty to follow his own conscience in these amoral matters.
4 Who are you to pass judgment on another’s servant? Before his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Believers are to judge other believers on Biblical issues. Believers are not to judge other believers on these amoral issues. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can judge the believer on these amoral issues.
5 One person regards one day holier than other days, and another regards them all alike. Each must be fully convinced in his own mind.
There are certain amoral issues that each individual should decide by his own conscience. One person may think that one day is equal and special. Others may think that any day can be special. In the New Testament, there is no specific day to worship. The New Testament believer has liberty to worship on the day of his choice. Believers do not have the right to judge other believers on the choice of the day of worship.
6 The one who observes the day does it for the Lord. The one who eats, eats for the Lord because he gives thanks to God, and the one who abstains from eating abstains for the Lord, and he gives thanks to God.
All of these are amoral issues. As long as they are doing it for God, then this Christian liberty is allowed.
7 For none of us lives for himself and none dies for himself.
The focus on living for Christ is never on oneself. Everything that a believer does should be to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 If we live, we live for the Lord; if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
All believers are accountable to the Lord.
9 For this reason Christ died and returned to life, so that he may be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
Christ is Lord of both the strong and the weak believer.
10 But you who eat vegetables only – why do you judge your brother or sister? And you who eat everything – why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
Both the strong and the weak believer will have to stand before the judgment seat of God. There are two questions asked, one by each group. Why do you weak believers judge the stronger believers? Why do you strong believers look down upon the weaker believers?
11 For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God.”
Paul quoted from Isaiah 45:23 to prove his point. There will be a universality of judgment. Every knee will bow to the Lord Jesus Christ. Every tongue will give praise to God.
12 Therefore, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Every believer will give an account to God at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The believer will be given crowns and rewards. Many teach that the crowns are the rewards, but they are different.
Exhortation for the Strong not to Destroy the Weak
13 Therefore we must not pass judgment on one another, but rather determine never to place an obstacle or a trap before a brother or sister.
The strong believer is free to do anything that he wishes in the issue of amoral issues. However, do not use freedom to cause a weaker brother to fall.
14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean in itself; still, it is unclean to the one who considers it unclean.
Paul was a stronger believer. He knew that there was nothing unclean in all of these amoral issues. This would include pork, lobster, and oysters. These foods were unclean for Israel during the Mosaic Law, but none of these foods are unclean for anyone during this current dispensation.
15 For if your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy by your food someone for whom Christ died.
If a weaker brother is distressed about an amoral issue, then the stronger believer needs to walk in love and maybe refrain from this issue. If there is a possibility of destroying or hindering the spiritual growth of a weaker believer, then it may be best to refrain from this issue.
16 Therefore do not let what you consider good be spoken of as evil.
If the stronger believer does not refrain from the amoral issue, then the weaker brother may speak badly against the stronger believer. This would hurt the testimony opportunity of the stronger believer.
17 For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The Kingdom of God does not concern itself with these amoral issues. The Kingdom of God is about growing spiritually into righteous living. It is about having peace with the other believers inside the church. It is about possessing a joyful attitude in the Holy Spirit.
18 For the one who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by people.
The one who serves Christ in these amoral issues is pleasing to God and he is approved by people. He will have a good testimony and a stronger teaching rapport with them.
19 So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another.
Amoral issues are not worth dividing a church. Sometimes, these amoral issues need to be put away so that there is peace and harmony inside of the church. When there is peace and harmony, then the church will build up one another.
20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. For although all things are clean, it is wrong to cause anyone to stumble by what you eat.
There are no unclean foods. However, it may be best to refrain from those who think that certain foods are unclean.
21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
Believers are not to use their Christian liberty to offend their brother and stunt his physical growth. Before a strong believer uses his Christian liberty, he needs to know the spiritual maturity of the people who are watching him closely.
22 The faith you have, keep to yourself before God. Blessed is the one who does not judge himself by what he approves.
It is important for the strong believer to keep his faith. A strong believer is blessed if he does not judge others by his own amoral belief system.
23 But the man who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not do so from faith, and whatever is not from faith is sin.
If a believer exercises his freedom when he is in doubt, then he has sinned against his weaker brother.
