Romans 14:1-12

KJ

Rom 14:1  Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 

Rom 14:2  For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 

Rom 14:3  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. 

Rom 14:4  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. 

Rom 14:5  One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 

Rom 14:6  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. 

Rom 14:7  For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 

Rom 14:8  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. 

Rom 14:9  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 

Rom 14:10  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. 

Rom 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 

Rom 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 

Main Points:

1.    Explain being “weak in faith.” Is this person “weak in faith” in the subjective sense (weak in his own personal faith and convictions) or in the objective sense (weak in the knowledge of the faith, that is, God’s will)? Explain your answer. Paul qualifies it as “opinion” (1). Opinion is not objective as it applies to doctrine. He has already pointed out just what types of sin are subjective 12:13: Orgies, drunkenness, overt sexual immorality, quarreling, jealousy.  These actions should not be a part of any Christian’s walk. He will later point out those things he is addressing: eating, holidays, etc.

 

2.    What issues is this person “weak in faith “ about? (cf. 14:2, 5, 14, 15:8) See answer #1 (eating and holidays).  The decision not to do these are matters of conscience due to possible upbringing, personal experience or self-imposed restrictions that are personally important to that person. If doing it goes against his/her conscience, then they should not do it. The conflicts happen when personal decisions like this are bound on others. Paul also confronts this issue in I Corinthians:  1Co 8:9  Don't cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just because you have the right to eat anything. AND  1Co 10:28  But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience' sake:  1Co 10:29  conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other's; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience?  1Co 10:30  If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 

 

3.    What are the instructions to the one who eats? (14:3) What are the instructions to the one who abstains from eating? See Answer #2 Also: Whatever it you do, do it for God (living a Godly contextual life). Understand we all belong to Him and answer to Him. HE is the one that makes us “stand.” With that in mind (since God has accepted both), do not judge or despise each other for liberties that are taken.

 

4.    Why are they condemned for passing judgment on each other? (6) Each is accepted and raised up by God. Don’t mess with that. It’s God’s….both the Christian and the place of judgement.

 

5.    Explain Paul’s instruction in verse 5. Paul is speaking about actions that are innocuous by themselves, but have been tainted by human deed. (such as eating meat that has been sacrificed to idols)
If you eat meat that might have been sacrificed to idols, you’d better be sure your conscience completely understands why it is ok for you to eat it. This is what Paul was addressing. Some people could not get past the fact that this was idol worship food and for that reason would never eat it.
Paul’s ultimate advice is that for the other’s conscience, don’t eat it in front of them. The council at Jerusalem said: Act 15:29  But you should not eat anything offered to idols. You should not eat any meat that still has the blood in it or any meat of any animal that has been strangled. You must also not commit any terrible sexual sins.
So this is not a new issue.

 

6.    What principle is taught in verse 6?  See answer #3 also: We are to live or lives contextually as God’s servants. EVERYTHING we do should have that context. This is true for work, home, anywhere, anytime, all the time.

 

7.    Explain verses 7-9. What point is Paul making? See also answers #3, #6.  We no longer live for ourselves. We live for God, because we belong to God. He points this out to open the eyes of those who think “the other guy” is being rejected by God, when it simply isn’t true. These are matters of conscience, not doctrine.

 

8.    What is the lesson from verses 10-12?  Mind your own business. Paul re-uses chapters 1-3: We are all under condemnation and need God. We will all stand before Him on judgment day. Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.