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Romans Chapter
Fourteen
Romans 14
From the beginning of chapter 14 to the end of verse 7 in
chapter 15 another point is taken up, to which the different positions of the
Jew and Gentile gave rise. It was difficult for a Jew to rid himself of the
sense of difference between days and between meats. A Gentile, having abandoned
his whole religious system as idolatrous, held to nothing. Human nature is
liable in this respect to sin on both sides-a want of conscience, an unbridled
will, and a ceremonial conscience. Christianity recognises neither of these
things. It delivers from the question of days and meats by making us heavenly
with Christ. But it teaches us to bear with conscientious weakness, and to be
conscientious ourselves. Conscience cannot-has not a right to-prescribe a new
thing to us as a duty, but it may, through ignorance, hold to a traditional
thing as obligatory. In reality we have entire liberty, but we ought to bear
with weakness of faith in another, and not put a stumbling-block in his way. The
apostle gives three directions in this respect: First, to receive the weak, but
not for the discussion of questions that have to be settled; second, not to
judge our brother, since he is Christ's servant, not ours; and every one must
give account of himself to God; third, to bear the infirmities of the weak, and
not to please ourselves; to walk in the spirit of love, and, if we are in a
higher state, to shew it by receiving one another, as Christ has received us,
to the glory of God, which eclipses man and his petty superiorities, and which
kindles charity and makes it ardent, earnest in seeking the good of
others-taking us so out of self, and beyond little things, that we are able to
adapt ourselves to others, where the will of God and His glory are not in
question.
Many important principles are brought forward in these exhortations.
Every one shall give account of himself to God. Everyone, in these cases,
should be fully persuaded in his own mind, and should not judge another. If any
one has faith that delivers him from traditional observances, and he sees them
to be absolutely nothing-as indeed they are-let him have his faith for God, and
not cause his brother to stumble.
No one lives to himself, and no one dies to himself; we
are the Lord's. The weak then regard the day for the Lord's sake; the others do
not regard it because of the Lord. This is the reason therefore for not
judging. He whom I judge is the Lord's. Therefore also I should seek to please
my brother for his edification-he is the Lord's; and I should receive him, as I
have been received, to share in the glory of God which has been conferred on
him. We serve Christ in these things by thinking of the good of our brother. As
to the energy of a man's faith, let him have it between himself and God. Love
is the ruler for the use of his liberty, if it is liberty, and not the bondage
of disregarding. For the converse of this principle, when these observances are
used to destroy liberty in Christ, see Galatians 4, where the apostle shews
that, if the observance is taught as a principle, it is really turning back to
Paganism.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Romans》
Romans 14
Chapter Contents
The Jewish converts cautioned against judging, and
Gentile believers against despising one the other. (1-13) And the Gentiles
exhorted to take heed of giving offence in their use of indifferent things.
(14-23)
Commentary on Romans 14:1-6
(Read Romans 14:1-6)
Differences of opinion prevailed even among the immediate
followers of Christ and their disciples. Nor did St. Paul attempt to end them.
Compelled assent to any doctrine, or conformity to outward observances without
being convinced, would be hypocritical and of no avail. Attempts for producing
absolute oneness of mind among Christians would be useless. Let not Christian
fellowship be disturbed with strifes of words. It will be good for us to ask
ourselves, when tempted to disdain and blame our brethren; Has not God owned
them? and if he has, dare I disown them? Let not the Christian who uses his
liberty, despise his weak brother as ignorant and superstitious. Let not the
scrupulous believer find fault with his brother, for God accepted him, without
regarding the distinctions of meats. We usurp the place of God, when we take
upon us thus to judge the thoughts and intentions of others, which are out of
our view. The case as to the observance of days was much the same. Those who
knew that all these things were done away by Christ's coming, took no notice of
the festivals of the Jews. But it is not enough that our consciences consent to
what we do; it is necessary that it be certified from the word of God. Take
heed of acting against a doubting conscience. We are all apt to make our own
views the standard of truth, to deem things certain which to others appear
doubtful. Thus Christians often despise or condemn each other, about doubtful
matters of no moment. A thankful regard to God, the Author and Giver of all our
mercies, sanctifies and sweetens them.
Commentary on Romans 14:7-13
(Read Romans 14:7-13)
Though some are weak, and others are strong, yet all must
agree not to live to themselves. No one who has given up his name to Christ, is
allowedly a self-seeker; that is against true Christianity. The business of our
lives is not to please ourselves, but to please God. That is true Christianity,
which makes Christ all in all. Though Christians are of different strength,
capacities, and practices in lesser things, yet they are all the Lord's; all
are looking and serving, and approving themselves to Christ. He is Lord of
those that are living, to rule them; of those that are dead, to revive them,
and raise them up. Christians should not judge or despise one another, because
both the one and the other must shortly give an account. A believing regard to
the judgment of the great day, would silence rash judgings. Let every man
search his own heart and life; he that is strict in judging and humbling
himself, will not be apt to judge and despise his brother. We must take heed of
saying or doing things which may cause others to stumble or to fall. The one
signifies a lesser, the other a greater degree of offence; that which may be an
occasion of grief or of guilt to our brother.
Commentary on Romans 14:14-18
(Read Romans 14:14-18)
Christ deals gently with those who have true grace,
though they are weak in it. Consider the design of Christ's death: also that
drawing a soul to sin, threatens the destruction of that soul. Did Christ deny
himself for our brethren, so as to die for them, and shall not we deny
ourselves for them, so as to keep from any indulgence? We cannot hinder
ungoverned tongues from speaking evil; but we must not give them any occasion.
We must deny ourselves in many cases what we may lawfully do, when our doing it
may hurt our good name. Our good often comes to be evil spoken of, because we
use lawful things in an uncharitable and selfish manner. As we value the
reputation of the good we profess and practise, let us seek that it may not be
evil-spoken of. Righteousness, peace, and joy, are words that mean a great
deal. As to God, our great concern is to appear before him justified by
Christ's death, sanctified by the Spirit of his grace; for the righteous Lord
loveth righteousness. As to our brethren, it is to live in peace, and love, and
charity with them; following peace with all men. As to ourselves, it is joy in
the Holy Ghost; that spiritual joy wrought by the blessed Spirit in the hearts
of believers, which respects God as their reconciled Father, and heaven as
their expected home. Regard to Christ in doing our duties, alone can make them
acceptable. Those are most pleasing to God that are best pleased with him; and
they abound most in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. They are approved by wise
and good men; and the opinion of others is not to be regarded.
Commentary on Romans 14:19-23
(Read Romans 14:19-23)
Many wish for peace, and talk loudly for it, who do not
follow the things that make for peace. Meekness, humility, self-denial, and
love, make for peace. We cannot edify one another, while quarrelling and
contending. Many, for meat and drink, destroy the work of God in themselves;
nothing more destroys the soul than pampering and pleasing the flesh, and
fulfilling the lusts of it; so others are hurt, by wilful offence given. Lawful
things may be done unlawfully, by giving offence to brethren. This takes in all
indifferent things, whereby a brother is drawn into sin or trouble; or has his
graces, his comforts, or his resolutions weakened. Hast thou faith? It is meant
of knowledge and clearness as to our Christian liberty. Enjoy the comfort of
it, but do not trouble others by a wrong use of it. Nor may we act against a
doubting conscience. How excellent are the blessings of Christ's kingdom, which
consists not in outward rites and ceremonies, but in righteousness, peace, and
joy in the Holy Ghost! How preferable is the service of God to all other
services! and in serving him we are not called to live and die to ourselves,
but unto Christ, whose we are, and whom we ought to serve.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Romans》
Romans 14
Verse 1
[1] Him
that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Him that is weak —
Through needless scruples.
Receive —
With all love and courtesy into Christian fellowship.
But not to doubtful disputations — About questionable points.
Verse 2
[2] For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth
herbs.
All things —
All sorts of food, though forbidden by the law.
Verse 3
[3] 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.
Despise him that eateth not — As over-scrupulous or superstitious.
Judge him that eateth — As profane, or taking undue liberties.
For God hath received him — Into the number of his children, notwithstanding this.
Verse 5
[5] One
man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let
every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
One day above another — As new moons, and other Jewish festivals.
Let every man be fully persuaded — That a thing is lawful, before he does it.
Verse 6
[6] 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.
Regardeth it to the Lord — That is, out of a principle of conscience toward God.
To the Lord he doth not regard it — He also acts from a principle of conscience.
He that eateth not —
Flesh.
Giveth God thanks —
For his herbs.
Verse 7
[7] For
none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
None of us —
Christians, in the things we do.
Liveth to himself — Is
at his own disposal; doeth his own will.
Verse 10
[10] 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.
Or why dost thou despise thy brother — Hitherto the apostle as addressed the weak brother: now he speaks to the
stronger.
Verse 11
[11] For
it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every
tongue shall confess to God.
As I live — An
oath proper to him, because he only possesseth life infinite and independent.
It is Christ who is here termed both Lord and God; as it is he to whom we live,
and to whom we die.
Every tongue shall confess to God — Shall own him as their rightful Lord; which shall then only be
accomplished in its full extent. The Lord grant we may find mercy in that day;
and may it also be imparted to those who have differed from us! yea, to those
who have censured and condemned us for things which we have done from a desire
to please him, or refused to do from a fear of offending him. Isaiah 45:23
Verse 13
[13] 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.
But judge this rather — Concerning ourselves.
Not to lay a stumblingblock — By moving him to do as thou doest, though against his conscience.
Or a scandal —
Moving him to hate or judge thee.
Verse 14
[14] 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.
I am assured by the Lord Jesus — Perhaps by a particular revelation.
That there is nothing — Neither flesh nor herbs.
Unclean of itself —
Unlawful under the gospel.
Verse 15
[15] But
if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably.
Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
If thy brother is grieved — That is, wounded, led into sin.
Destroy not him for whom Christ died — So we see, he for whom Christ died may be destroyed.
With thy meat — Do
not value thy meat more than Christ valued his life.
Verse 16
[16] Let
not then your good be evil spoken of:
Let not then your good and lawful liberty be
evil spoken of - By being offensive to others.
Verse 17
[17] For
the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy
in the Holy Ghost.
For the kingdom of God — That is, true religion, does not consist in external observances. But in
righteousness - The image of God stamped on the heart; the love of God and man,
accompanied with the peace that passeth all understanding, and joy in the Holy
Ghost.
Verse 18
[18] For
he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of
men.
In these —
Righteousness, peace, and joy.
Men —
Wise and good men.
Verse 19
[19] Let
us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith
one may edify another.
Peace and edification are closely joined.
Practical divinity tends equally to peace and to edification. Controversial
divinity less directly tends to edification, although sometimes, as they of
old, we cannot build without it, Nehemiah 4:17.
Verse 20
[20] For
meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil
for that man who eateth with offence.
The work of God —
Which he builds in the soul by faith, and in the church by concord.
It is evil to that man who eateth with
offence — So as to offend another thereby.
Verse 21
[21] 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.
Thy brother stumbleth — By imitating thee against his conscience, contrary to righteousness.
Or is offended — At
what thou doest to the loss of his peace.
Or made weak —
Hesitating between imitation and abhorrence, to the loss of that joy in the
Lord which was his strength.
Verse 22
[22] Hast
thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself
in that thing which he alloweth.
Hast thou faith —
That all things are pure? Have it to thyself before God - In circumstances like
these, keep it to thyself, and do not offend others by it.
Happy is he that condemneth not himself — By an improper use of even innocent things! and happy he who is free
from a doubting conscience! He that has this may allow the thing, yet condemn
himself for it.
Verse 23
[23] And
he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for
whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Because it is not of faith — He does not believe it lawful and, in all these cases, whatsoever is not
of faith is sin - Whatever a man does without a full persuasion of its
lawfulness, it is sin to him.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Romans》
Chapter 14. Carry Out Love
Love to the
Lord
Die to the Lord
I. Do not Judge
One Another
II. Do Not
Stumble One Another
III. Three Principles
of the Kingdom of God
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》
Chapter Fourteen General Review
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To learn how strong and weak brethren should deal with one another 2) To see the importance of being true to our conscience SUMMARY
In this chapter Paul discusses the relationship strong and weakbrethren are to have towards each other. He admonishes the strong to be careful in their dealings with those whose faith and knowledge is weak, and for the weak not to judge those who are doing what God allows (1-4). In such matters, each brother should be true to their conscience and do what they do as service rendered to the Lord (5-9). There is no place for condemning or despising one another in these matters, for Jesus will be the judge (10-12). Of primary concern is not to put stumbling blocks in a brother's way (13). The importance of being true to one's own conscience, and not encouraging the weak brother to violate his own, is the emphasis of the last half of the chapter. Things harmless within themselves can destroy those whose consciences do not permit them, so those who understand the true nature of the kingdom of God forego personal liberties to maintain peace and build up their weaker brethren (14-23). OUTLINE
I. ADMONITIONS TO STRONG AND WEAK BRETHREN (1-13)
A. HOW TO TREAT EACH OTHER (1-4) 1. The strong are to receive and not despise the weak (1-3a ) 2. The weak are not to judge those God approves (3b-4) B. HOW TO BE TRUE TO THE LORD IN THESE MATTERS (5-9) 1. Be fully convinced in your own mind (5) 2. Do what you do as to the Lord (6-9) C. DO NOT JUDGE ONE ANOTHER (10-13) 1. Christ is to be our judge (10-13a ) 2. Our concern should be not to put stumbling blocks in a brother's way (13b) II. FURTHER ADMONITIONS TO STRONG BRETHREN (14-23)
A. DO NOT DESTROY A BROTHER FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED (14-18) 1. Food is harmless in itself, but we can misuse it to the destruction of those who are weak (14-16) 2. The kingdom of God (17-18) B. PURSUE THINGS WHICH MAKE FOR PEACE (19-23) 1. Build up your brother, don't destroy him over food (19-20) 2. Be willing to forego your liberties for the sake of your brother (21) 3. Appreciate the importance of a clear conscience in your weak brother (22-23) WORDS TO PONDER
judge - setting oneself up as accuser, judge, and sentencer; it does
not mean we cannot make decisions about the right or wrong of another's action (cf. Mt 7:1-6,15-20; Jn 7:24; 1 Co 5:9-13) stumbling block - that which causes another to fall; it does not have
to be something wrong within itself offended - made to stumble; the word does not mean the way we commonly
use it today, that is, to have one's feelings hurt or "offended" REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) List the main points of this chapter
- Admonitions To Strong And Weak Brethren (1-13) - Further Admonitions To Strong Brethren (14-23) 2) How are strong and weak brethren to treat each other? (3)
- The strong are not to despise the weak - The weak are not to judge the strong 3) What is important according to verse 5?
- "Let each be fully convinced in his own mind" 4) In all matters, whom is it we should try to please? (6-8)
- The Lord 5) Who will be the Judge in such matters? (10-12)
- The Lord 6) What is important according to verse 13?
- Not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way