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.
