Romans Chapter - 14.

What is strong and weak in faith to doubtful disputations?

I am a retired pastor of the Church of God (Tennessee).
My name is Isaac Livingston. I am from Neyyoor India.

Preface

Apostle Paul was writing this letter to the believers among Romans. We assume that the group consists of newly converted gentiles. However, the group may have believers in various spiritual levels. So, Paul could have written the letter to cover all levels of believers. Now we are studying the letter as it is written for us also. So, we should study it with the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we may receive the letter in our level. He begins with faith. According to our level, we may take it as the faith of Abraham that laid his Son Isaac on the altar, or we may take faith as the traditional belief in eating vegetarian or nor-vegetarian food. He also gives freedom in observing the special days as Sabbath days, passover day, any other feast days, and such. He is speaking for the very zealous, who are even live or die for Christ, and for common believers also. So, be cautious not to own such verses, which does not refer to us, and have grief. He gives general advice not to judge others unnecessarily, and only judge righteous judgment. Again he tells to give the lordship to Jesus Christ, be relevant, and to take it lightly. He stress to give high priority to the kingdom of God in heaved, a lot more than our life in this world. His epistle will be appropriate to every level of believers, if we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our study.

Romans Chapter 14, verse by verse Study.

"1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.."This chapter is addressed to matured believers to accommodate and understand the new and slow growing believers, in ordinary matters. Here the word faith is used, but it is not bible faith, let us see it in the next verse.

"2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 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." Here, it is about meat eaters and vegetarians. In India, a group of Hindus think that eating meat is ungodly. Even though this belief is just sentimental, they believe it strongly. God accept them both, and so, do not make an issue about this matter. If you eat meat, and if it is repulsive to a vegetarian, do not eat meat in front of him. It is not a faith, but common decency.

"4 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." It simply says that let God be the boss, and you do not intervene in such opinion matters. But if it is of righteousness, holiness, gospel, faith, and such matters, then correction is needed. If it is not concerned with sin, false gospel, and deception, leave them alone.

"5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 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." About the celebration of sabbath days, feast days, church service days, fasting days, and such things let people do as they like it. Do not intervene. These people do whatever they do, it is for the Lord; so, they are dedicated zealous people. Please do not hinder their dedication, because of formalities of religion.

"7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 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." It is another conformation that the message in this chapter is gear to the mature believers like disciples, who may even be willing to give their life in the ministry as martyrs. Such people were also in the fellowship. Treat them with respect.

"9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living." Jesus Christ is God of all; all is him, but it is not us. We may refer this verse to people who are physically dead or living, or even more appropriate to who are Spiritually dead or living.

"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. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 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." So, Jesus Christ is all in all, but not us. So, we should not judge each other in opinion matter, which does not involve in sin matters. The mature people must advise and guide others in the matter of righteousness, holiness, and godliness. Jesus Christ says in “John 7: 24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” So, the church and elders must judge believers in sin matters.

"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." Please be cautious, be careful about the stumbling verses. This is limited only to food matters, but not to anything that you want to do. "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. 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:" We discussed before. We are under the new covenant, we can eat any food by giving thanks to God, they are not to be rejected, and nothing is unclean. However, if a vegetarian considers not to eat meat, do not eat meat in his presence; not because it is sin, but because he will be offended by it. It is just sentimental, and common decency; anyhow do not destroy him being in the fellowship by eating in his presence.

"17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." So, the key important matter for the kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace with God, which are holiness and godliness. Just do not bring the matters of eating, drinking, ceremonial ritual things, feasts, celebrations, and such, as a matter of importance; these are irrelevant to the kingdom of God. So, do not bother with such things.

"18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 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." It says all things are pure, it is limited only to food, but not to anything else. False preachers use such verses to twist God's word. Always be righteous and godly. Please do not bother with rituals, traditions, and such frivolous things. Have peace with all true believers.

"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." Even if such frivolous things do not do spiritual hindrance to you, but if they hinder the spiritual growth of others, do not do such things in front of them, and so, avoid being a stumbling stone to them. Be careful so that the church may not go weak, but make the church strong and Spiritually healthy.

"22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth." If you are zealous, with Spirit and power, keep it to yourself, but do not become a showoff. If you are abiding by the commands of God, do not be bothered by others.

"23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." If anybody think that they should not eat meat to be godly, they should not eat, despite God approves it; since it is against their tradition. But Paul used the word 'faith' here. It is just a stumbling word for the mischief makers. Eating is not sin, but they considers as sin to them. So, do not bring such matters for godliness.

Note: If any point needs explanation, OR, if you find an error according to scripture,
Please write to me in the 'Mail Box' below. I will reply promptly. Thanks.

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