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<...Go back

Can you explain Romans 14?


Introduction. Romans chapter 14 contains invaluable teaching for the Christian. Romans 14 is similar to the teaching found in sections of 1 Corinthians 8 and 10. It is also a commonly misunderstood chapter.

The scope of Romans 14. There were those among the Christians in Rome who were "weak." Their weakness was that they believed they could only eat herbs (i.e., were vegetarians), they esteemed one day above another ("to observe it to the Lord"), and they abstained from drinking "wine" (vss. 2, 5, 21). But did these issues involve matters of right and wrong? No. Note the Holy Spirit through Paul notes "...there is nothing unclean of itself..." (vs. 14) and "... the kingdom of God is not meat and drink" (vs. 17). The issues related to the chapter are those that are were morally and doctrinally indifferent to God (see vss. 14, 17).

Resulting attitudes. Because of these differing views, the weak were inclined to condemn or judge those who ate meat, and the strong were of the disposition to do the same to the weak (see vss. 3, 4, 10, 13). But since these matters were morally indifferent to God, Paul commanded:
  • "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.  ... Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." (vs. 13-14, 19)
This acceptance and fellowship of one another stands in contrast to how we are to stand fast and not compromise in matters involving doctrinal and moral purity (Jude 3). Paul himself was set for the defense of the gospel (Phil. 1: 17). We are not to "receive" or have fellowship with fellow Christians who teach or practice false doctrine (1 Cor. 5; Eph. 5:3-12; 1 John 1:7; 2 John 9-11).

What is not taught in Romans 14. Paul is not teaching as some contend that it does not matter what you or others believe. However, he is saying that in matters of moral and doctrinal indifference, we must avoid binding our views on others. Again, Romans 14 is not teaching that each person may believe whatever he desires (and be approved). Even in these inconsequential matters being discussed in the chapter, Paul teaches the weak the truth and urges them to forsake their unfounded views.
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