Romans 14
The Weak and the Strong in Faith In this section, Paul teaches Christians how to treat one another when they have different opinions about matters that are not essential to the faith. He encourages believers to welcome those whose faith is weak, especially regarding rules about food and special days. Paul warns against judging or looking down on each other because of these differences. Instead, Christians should accept one another and remember that everyone stands or falls before God, not before other people. v. 1: Paul says, “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things” (Romans 14:1 a). Christians should welcome those whose faith is not strong, and not argue with them about opinions that are not clear or necessary for salvation. v. 2: “For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables” (Romans 14:2 b). Some believers feel free to eat anything, while others, perhaps because of their background, think it is wrong to eat certain foods and so eat only vegetables. v. 3: “Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him” (Romans 14:3 c). Those who feel free to eat everything should not look down on those who do not, and those who do not eat certain foods should not judge those who do. God has accepted both kinds of believers. v. 4: “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:4 d). Each believer is a servant of God, not of other Christians. Only God can judge his own servants, and he is able to help them do what is right. v. 5: “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5 e). Some Christians think certain days are special, while others think all days are the same. Each person should be sure in their own mind about what they believe. v. 6: “He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks” (Romans 14:6 f). Whether someone keeps a special day or not, or eats certain foods or not, they should do it for the Lord and thank God for what they have. v. 7: “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself” (Romans 14:7 g). Christians do not live only for themselves; their lives are meant to honor God. v. 8: “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8 h). Whatever happens, Christians belong to the Lord and should live their lives for him. v. 9: “For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living” . Jesus died, rose again, and lives now so that he could be Lord over everyone, both the living and the dead. v. 10: “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Romans 14:10 i). Christians should not judge or despise one another because everyone will have to answer to Christ one day. v. 11: “For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God’” (Romans 14:11; Isaiah 45:23 j). One day, everyone will recognize God’s authority. v. 12: “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12 k). Every person will have to explain their own actions to God, not to other people. v. 13: “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way” (Romans 14:13 l). Instead of judging, Christians should be careful not to do anything that would make another believer stumble or do wrong. v. 14: “I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean” (Romans 14:14 m). Paul is sure that no food is unclean in itself, but if someone thinks it is, then for that person it is wrong to eat it. v. 15: “Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died” (Romans 14:15 n). If eating certain food hurts another believer, you are not acting in love. We should not let our freedom harm someone for whom Christ died. v. 16: “Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil” (Romans 14:16 o). Do not let what you think is right become the reason for others to speak badly about your faith. v. 17: “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17 p). God’s kingdom is not about rules about food and drink, but about living a right life, having peace, and experiencing joy through the Holy Spirit. v. 18: “For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men” . If you serve Jesus by focusing on righteousness, peace, and joy, God will accept you and others will respect you. v. 19: “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” . Christians should try to do what leads to peace and builds up other believers. v. 20: “Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense” (Romans 14:20 q). Do not ruin what God is doing in someone’s life just for the sake of food rules. All foods are clean, but it is wrong to eat in a way that causes someone else to sin. v. 21: “It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak” (Romans 14:21 r). Sometimes it is better to give up your rights for the sake of a fellow believer’s conscience. v. 22: “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves” (Romans 14:22 s). If you have confidence about what is permitted, keep it between you and God, and be glad if you do not feel guilty for your choices. v. 23: “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23 t). If someone is not sure whether something is right and does it anyway, that person is sinning, because true obedience comes from acting in faith and a clear conscience.
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