1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. 5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. 14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
Preamble
This chapter is one of the most important in the N.T. in guiding our faith in how we let others exercise theirs in the freedom of conscience that God has given us all over all non-essential matters. The only question then is what constituents the non-essential matters? A question which only be answered when one addresses the essential matters of doctrine and faith. Thus matters pertaining to the Lord Jesus Christ's Person are not open for debate or speculation or change. Same with the way of salvation as being only by God's grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ Person crucified for our sins remission and raised from the dead for our justification (Acts 4:12) this too is unchangeable and thus non debatable. Same with God's moral law as incumbent upon all of mankind, as this is a reflection of God's unchanging moral Character, it too is a closed topic. Outside of those three basic things, there are many secondary things that pertain to the Christian's daily life as it is being lived out in various cultures with various norms and such. It is here than that each and every Christian in the glorious liberty of the children of God must follow their own conscience as their guide. For living by faith is the essential way of living obediently to the faith. And that is what is being addressed here in Romans fourteen, our attitudes towards each other regarding these non-essential things. And so we should not hold any brethren in contempt who do not adhere to the same non-essential things that we do or don't do. Nor should we as we exercise this glorious liberty of us all, let our liberty become something that causes one who has not yet come to that place of freedom of conscience in whatever areas we may have, have their conscience assailed by our exercising this glorious liberty of us all. Thus having due regard for each other's person and conscience is the essence of Romans fourteen.
Commentary
Vs. 1 "Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things."
Notice the imperative is to receive, not reject one who is weak in the faith. Now weak in the faith here does not mean weak in their standing or place in the Kingdom of heaven. Since by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person we are all fully in the Kingdom of heaven with a justified standing before God (Rom 5:1). Nor does weak here mean weak in their faith about Christ's Person and doctrine, where one does not adhere to Biblically sound doctrine about Christ's Person and His atoning work done for us all. Weak here is referring to a fellow believers conscience regarding non-essential things. That is fellow believers who as in the historical context of this passage, coming out of judaism had strong convictions regarding eating of certain types of foods, as well as observing the Sabbath etc. None of which is incumbent upon us in the New Covenant era, yet these having been reared under the Old Covenant had a great many convictions of what was acceptable for them to do and what was not before God. And so this principle applies to us as well, where believers because of convictions of conscience whether born out of "religious" views or not, may have certain views regarding food and drink and clothing and whatever else they hold too, that we would not bind ourselves to be in bondage too. And so as a work of love towards our weaker brethren we are to receive them in the faith, meaning we are to welcome them into our churches, homes, and lives, and thus treat them as our equals in Christ. And so our receiving them is not to dispute over doubtful things. That is we don't do this so as to try to change or conform their views to ours regarding non-essential things. We do this because they have by the hearing of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, of His Person and doctrine of salvation through God's grace, have come into the family of faith.
Vs. 2-3 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.
Here we see the contrast between the Christian who embracing all their liberty In Christ is totally at ease to eat all forms of meat or vegetables or bugs (that's a joke, though maybe if I tried some gourmet bugs I might like them?) or whatever else they want to to eat. They simply adhere to no dietary restrictions because their are none imposed on us in the N.T. For that is apart of all our glorious liberty In Christ, to eat and enjoy whatever types of food we want to eat, and enjoy to eat.
While the other Christian holds to only eating vegetables. Maybe they have read the passage in the Book of Daniel where he did so, so as not to defile himself with the meat sacrificed to the Babylonian "gods" and such, and thus thought that would be a good practice for them to follow. Whatever their reason for doing so their conscience being weak, they only eat vegetables. Now in regard to this, the Apostle Paul says that we who eat are not to despise him who does not eat. It's interesting to note that the word translated despise here is also translated despise in Luke 18:9 where it is used of the self-righteous despising others. It's meaning is to despise someone based on something that is worthless and or of no value (LN 88.195). Like foods which are eaten and then eliminated from the body, and thus have no lasting effect on one's heart to "defile" a person, as Jesus said (see Mark 7:14-16, also see Col. 2:20-22). Or in the context of Luke 18:9 the despising of others there is based upon ones own righteousness, which again in light of cross is worthless and of no value (see Phil. 3:7-9). Therefore we are not to despise (hold a low view of) those brethren who are weak in their conscience regarding foods and such. Neither though should those whose consciences are weak judge their brethren who freely eat whatever things they like to eat. For as the Apostle Paul says here God has received him, received him and us all, not based on what we eat or don't eat, but only by our faith in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, for that is the sole basis for our being accepted by God.
Vs. 4 "Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand."
The Apostle Paul continues his rebuke of judging brethren in regards to non-moral or non-essential things where there is liberty of conscience, as in what we eat or don't eat, or whether eat all. For when you judge a brother or sister in the Lord, you sin against the Lord (see James 4:11-12). Notice that both are called God's servants, and both will be made to stand by God, though the emphasis here is on the Apostle Paul defending each and every believers right to eat whatever they want to eat in the face of their being judged by those who are of a weak conscience, and thus have placed restrictions on themselves, which only they are bound to obey if they hold to them, but no one else is bound to their weak conscience. Having a weak conscience than regarding non-essential things like food and drink is one thing, but judging other believers through it is quite another.
Vs. 5 "One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind."
The Apostle Paul moves from food and drink into the realm of observing so called "sacred days". That is in the Old Covenant there was a lot of days and months even outside of the Sabbath, such as the 1st, 2nd and 7th month and certain days and weeks within these months that Jews were commanded to observe as sacred. However in the New Covenant there is no such stipulations, even in regards to observing the Sabbath, there is no such stipulations for us to observe it. For all these things find their fulfillment In Christ. Indeed those who try to observe such things to try to find salvation through their observance of them risk not entering God's rest (i.e. salvation) at all (consider Hebrews 4:1-10, vs. 10). And so though there is liberty to observe these things, or not to observe them, no one should allow themselves to be put under the bondage of them (Gal. 4:9-11; Heb 7:18-19). Therefore because there is liberty of conscience regarding these non-essential things (one person esteems one day above another, another esteems every day alike) the Apostle Paul says let each one be fully convinced in their own mind (vs. 5). Thus I'm not bound to obey your conscience regarding these things, and neither are you bound to obey mine, each person is bound to their conscience regarding these things, whether weak or strong.
Vs. 6 "He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks."
Notice that the one who observes the day, and one who does not observe the day, both observe it to the Lord. Thus it is not to themselves that these things are done or not done, it is to the Lord (vs. 6). Thus it is not the day, observing it, or not observing it, it is the Lord that one is to be looking too and is thankful too, for His glorious liberty He has given us all. Thus the Jews who were spiritually reared under the Old Covenants stipulations need not go under a major cultural shock when they come to faith In the Lord Jesus Christ. Same with the Gentiles who have never known such things. These need not seek to become obedient to the Jewish believers weak conscience and traditions, for God has received both solely on their faith In Christ (Acts 21:15-25).
Same with eating or not eating. If a believers eats and gives thanks for their food than God graciously accepts our thanksgiving for His bountiful provisions. Similarly if a believer abstains from eating, (not because someone commanded them too, or told them that there is more virtue in not eating, which there is not), but rather because they want to fast or abstain from something, and thus they give God thanks while doing so, which itself is a great measure of whether or not this is being done unto the Lord, or oneself, or someone else. Than if done in thanksgiving towards God, God graciously receives ones fast and thanksgiving, because it is being done unto the Lord, and not too oneself, or someone else (see Matt. 6:16-18).
Vs. 7-9 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Here the Apostle Paul brings forth the underlying principle that is to behind what we do and why do those things that we do. "None of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself." (vs. 7). Unlike the world than where people do what they do with little or no regards to God's Person or desires, because they do not know Him, nor are they known by Him. We though have been redeemed at the price of Christ's blood, and so we not only belong to Christ, but we are bound to obey Him, whether through His Word or through our conscience. Thus our focus is not on pleasing men (by trying to obey their commandments, traditions, or consciences) but on seeking to be pleasing to the Lord (Gal. 1:10). That is to be our focus, not living for ourselves, or someone else, but living for the Lord who has both called us and equipped us for His service and purposes. Thus if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. For we are the Lord's, whether we live or we die (vs. 8). Christ's Lordship of our persons began the moment of our salvation but it does not end there. For Jesus Christ died and rose again that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living (vs. 9). Notice in verse nine the Apostle Paul reverses the order from verse eight, to Jesus is Lord of both the dead and the living, whereas in verse eight he began with whether we live or die, Jesus is our Lord. The point is whichever state we find ourselves in, Christ is Lord of us, for He is over all those things and all things in them. Which is a most reassuring thought for us all who believe in Him, because whatever state we are in Jesus is our Lord.
Vs. 10-12 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
The question the Apostle Paul now asks is poignant one. For it is Jesus Christ the Lord who alone is our Judge and our Justifier (Rom 3:26). Therefore when we judge our brothers and sisters in the Lord regarding any non-essential or non-moral thing, we unwittingly exalt ourselves into a role that God has reserved for Himself. Thus if we should not judge our brethren, we most certainly should not show contempt for them, for the views which they hold regarding these non essential and non-moral things. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account of not only our words and deeds, but also our attitudes towards each other (vs. 10). Verse eleven (quoting from Isaiah 45:23) then is a reaffirmation that it is Christ's Judgment of us all which matters. What Jesus thinks of what we do and don't do. Therefore since we are all going to give an account of ourselves to God (vs. 12), it is incumbent upon us all not to exalt ourselves (in our hearts and minds) above any of our brethren, and thus act as their judges in regards to these matters. For it is Christ alone who will judge us all, and thus reward us according to what He truly knows about each and every one of us (2 Cor 5:9-11).
Vs. 13 "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way."
In the light of Christ's Lordship and Judgement of us all we then must forgo our judging of each other, (whether through a strong or weak conscience), and leave the Judgment to Him. For truly love cannot flourish where such things take place. Thus in light of such things, the Apostle Paul warns us who have discovered (or are discovering) our glorious liberty in Christ (2 Cor 3:17), not to use our liberty In Christ in such a way so as to cause another believer to stumble or fall. Since neither Lord Jesus Christ nor the Apostle Paul himself looks favorable on such things where a believer's faith is weakened by one exercising their liberty recklessly (consider 2 Cor 11:29).
Vs. 16-18 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
Having addressed our responsibility towards our brethren whose consciences are weak in regards to our liberties In Christ about food and drink. The Apostle Paul now say's in verse sixteen "Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil." For it can so easily happen in regarding a weak person's conscience that we might allow them to sin against the Lord (who is justifying us all by our faith is Person, not by what we eat or don't eat), if we allow them to speak evil of our exercising our liberties In Christ. Thus in seeking the well-being of our brethren, and thus unity and peace within the household of faith, we must not allow our liberties rightly exercised to be spoken of as evil. For as the Apostle Paul says in verse seventeen "the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Now the Kingdom of God is the sphere or realm where God rules and His Son sits on His throne, both in Spiritual realities, as well as in our hearts and lives (Luke 17:21). Thus the Kingdom of God is not entered into, nor is it governed by dietary restrictions and observing commandments and preferences of men. Nor is the Kingdom of God a place where pursuing food and drink pleasures is it's aim. The Kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, and is only entered into by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person. Thus it is the Spiritual reality and eternal dwelling place of all who are born-again by the Spirit of God, and is manifested to one all when we live in righteously and peacefully and joyfully in the Holy Spirit. "For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men." vs. 18
Thus living righteously as guided by God's Word; for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth (Eph. 5:9); and thus living by the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:22-23), here specifically is mentioned our having peace with each other, and joy in the Holy Spirit is far more commendable to God and men than trying to serve mere food and drink.
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
Word Studies
Vs. 6 "He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks."
Notice that the one who observes the day, and one who does not observe the day, both observe it to the Lord. Thus it is not to themselves that these things are done or not done, it is to the Lord (vs. 6). Thus it is not the day, observing it, or not observing it, it is the Lord that one is to be looking too and is thankful too, for His glorious liberty He has given us all. Thus the Jews who were spiritually reared under the Old Covenants stipulations need not go under a major cultural shock when they come to faith In the Lord Jesus Christ. Same with the Gentiles who have never known such things. These need not seek to become obedient to the Jewish believers weak conscience and traditions, for God has received both solely on their faith In Christ (Acts 21:15-25).
Same with eating or not eating. If a believers eats and gives thanks for their food than God graciously accepts our thanksgiving for His bountiful provisions. Similarly if a believer abstains from eating, (not because someone commanded them too, or told them that there is more virtue in not eating, which there is not), but rather because they want to fast or abstain from something, and thus they give God thanks while doing so, which itself is a great measure of whether or not this is being done unto the Lord, or oneself, or someone else. Than if done in thanksgiving towards God, God graciously receives ones fast and thanksgiving, because it is being done unto the Lord, and not too oneself, or someone else (see Matt. 6:16-18).
Vs. 7-9 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Here the Apostle Paul brings forth the underlying principle that is to behind what we do and why do those things that we do. "None of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself." (vs. 7). Unlike the world than where people do what they do with little or no regards to God's Person or desires, because they do not know Him, nor are they known by Him. We though have been redeemed at the price of Christ's blood, and so we not only belong to Christ, but we are bound to obey Him, whether through His Word or through our conscience. Thus our focus is not on pleasing men (by trying to obey their commandments, traditions, or consciences) but on seeking to be pleasing to the Lord (Gal. 1:10). That is to be our focus, not living for ourselves, or someone else, but living for the Lord who has both called us and equipped us for His service and purposes. Thus if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. For we are the Lord's, whether we live or we die (vs. 8). Christ's Lordship of our persons began the moment of our salvation but it does not end there. For Jesus Christ died and rose again that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living (vs. 9). Notice in verse nine the Apostle Paul reverses the order from verse eight, to Jesus is Lord of both the dead and the living, whereas in verse eight he began with whether we live or die, Jesus is our Lord. The point is whichever state we find ourselves in, Christ is Lord of us, for He is over all those things and all things in them. Which is a most reassuring thought for us all who believe in Him, because whatever state we are in Jesus is our Lord.
Vs. 10-12 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
The question the Apostle Paul now asks is poignant one. For it is Jesus Christ the Lord who alone is our Judge and our Justifier (Rom 3:26). Therefore when we judge our brothers and sisters in the Lord regarding any non-essential or non-moral thing, we unwittingly exalt ourselves into a role that God has reserved for Himself. Thus if we should not judge our brethren, we most certainly should not show contempt for them, for the views which they hold regarding these non essential and non-moral things. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account of not only our words and deeds, but also our attitudes towards each other (vs. 10). Verse eleven (quoting from Isaiah 45:23) then is a reaffirmation that it is Christ's Judgment of us all which matters. What Jesus thinks of what we do and don't do. Therefore since we are all going to give an account of ourselves to God (vs. 12), it is incumbent upon us all not to exalt ourselves (in our hearts and minds) above any of our brethren, and thus act as their judges in regards to these matters. For it is Christ alone who will judge us all, and thus reward us according to what He truly knows about each and every one of us (2 Cor 5:9-11).
Vs. 13 "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way."
In the light of Christ's Lordship and Judgement of us all we then must forgo our judging of each other, (whether through a strong or weak conscience), and leave the Judgment to Him. For truly love cannot flourish where such things take place. Thus in light of such things, the Apostle Paul warns us who have discovered (or are discovering) our glorious liberty in Christ (2 Cor 3:17), not to use our liberty In Christ in such a way so as to cause another believer to stumble or fall. Since neither Lord Jesus Christ nor the Apostle Paul himself looks favorable on such things where a believer's faith is weakened by one exercising their liberty recklessly (consider 2 Cor 11:29).
Vs. 14-15 14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.
And
so returning to foods, though the principal is encompassing, the Apostle Paul
says there is nothing unclean in of itself,
thus there is nothing that a Christian is forbidden to eat. There is then
nothing sinful in eating meat or vegetables or desserts or whatever you like to
eat, unless the person eating feels what they are eating is
unclean to them. And so it's all up to you to decide what is clean and unclean
to you in regards to foods. Not that any foods are forbidden us (1 Tim 4:1-5),
rather out of regards to those who coming out of the Old Covenant dietary
restrictions, the Apostle Paul made this concession to their weak consciences,
so as not to tear apart the household of faith over non-essential dietary
issues. That said, in verse fifteen the Apostle shifts the burden back
onto us who do not have weak consciences, that we not grieve our brethrens
weaker consciences by exercising our liberty in such a way that would do so. (Note:
the word translated grieve in verse 15 is also used of grieving the Holy Spirit
in Eph. 4:30). And so our liberty should always be exercised in such a way so
as not to cause another believer to be grieved in their spirit or stumble in
their faith. For truly walking in love towards each other means having due
regard for each other's conscience in regards to these things. Therefore we
must not destroy with our food the who for one Christ also died.
Vs. 16-18 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
Having addressed our responsibility towards our brethren whose consciences are weak in regards to our liberties In Christ about food and drink. The Apostle Paul now say's in verse sixteen "Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil." For it can so easily happen in regarding a weak person's conscience that we might allow them to sin against the Lord (who is justifying us all by our faith is Person, not by what we eat or don't eat), if we allow them to speak evil of our exercising our liberties In Christ. Thus in seeking the well-being of our brethren, and thus unity and peace within the household of faith, we must not allow our liberties rightly exercised to be spoken of as evil. For as the Apostle Paul says in verse seventeen "the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Now the Kingdom of God is the sphere or realm where God rules and His Son sits on His throne, both in Spiritual realities, as well as in our hearts and lives (Luke 17:21). Thus the Kingdom of God is not entered into, nor is it governed by dietary restrictions and observing commandments and preferences of men. Nor is the Kingdom of God a place where pursuing food and drink pleasures is it's aim. The Kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, and is only entered into by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person. Thus it is the Spiritual reality and eternal dwelling place of all who are born-again by the Spirit of God, and is manifested to one all when we live in righteously and peacefully and joyfully in the Holy Spirit. "For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men." vs. 18
Thus living righteously as guided by God's Word; for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth (Eph. 5:9); and thus living by the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:22-23), here specifically is mentioned our having peace with each other, and joy in the Holy Spirit is far more commendable to God and men than trying to serve mere food and drink.
Vs. 19 "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another."
In light of our mutual citizenship in the Kingdom of heaven, we should all pursue the things that make for peace amongst ourselves and the things by which we may edify one another. And so instead of useless wranglings over non-essential things which only lead to factions and infighting. We should give each other grace in regards to these things; and allow each person to have their own opinions on these things, so that we might do and pursue those things that will make for peace amongst us, and by which we may edify each other.
Vs. 20-21 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
Food is morally neutral (neither good or evil), yet food like anything else a believer has liberty in can be used in such a way so as to harm another believer's conscience, and or ones faith or potential faith In Christ. And so in verse twenty and twenty one the Apostle Paul now cautions us against such careless use of our liberties In Christ. For too destroy the work of God for the sake of food is untenable. For God goes to great unseen lengths to nurture our persons and faith, both to bring us to faith In Christ, as well as to preserve us while there, while He matures us all in the faith. Therefore to exercise one's liberties, in such a way that might destroy the work of God, and that for food, again is untenable. For though all things are indeed pure to us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Titus 1:15), it is evil for us to eat with offense, that is too exercise our liberty regarding food and drink with a sense of causing offense to another believer (vs. 20). Therefore, "It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak." (vs. 21)
Again the Apostle Paul warns us about misusing our liberty in Christ in such a way that another believer is made to stumble (that is either to fail in their faith, or they are made made to feel repulsed by our doing something that is a violation of their conscience), or is offended (here the offense is something that again causes another believers faith or convictions to fail), or is made weak. If for example a believer has an addiction issue to say food or drink, it would incumbent upon us not to not to exercise our liberties in regards to these things in such a way that would weaken their resolve to abstain from such things. It is then incumbent upon us all who have more readily embraced our liberty in Christ (something which itself is a growth process), and so we must always have due regard for the consciences of those who coming out of the Old Covenant stipulations regarding foods and drink, or any non moral thing, have not yet grown up into. And thus not knowingly practice our liberty so as to cause our brethren to stumble, or is an offense, or makes them weak.
Vs. 22-23 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
The Apostle now exhorts us to exercise our liberties in the faith before God alone. And so when in fellowship with those who are of a weaker conscience we are to regard their person and respect their conscience and not knowingly violate it. Those then who have stronger consciences must not flaunt their liberties in the face of those who still hold to tighter scruples on all non-essential things. For Christian grace and love allows each to follow their own conscience in regards to these things.
Therefore "happy (or blessed, "joy-filled") is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves." Condemn himself by exercising his liberties In Christ with doubt, or in such a way so as to turn them into causing offenses and such. And so verse twenty three sets forth the encompassing principle of faith that is the New Covenant. Thus whether it's food or drink or whatever one does, one must do it in faith. For anything that is not from faith is sin.
Scripture QuotationsIn light of our mutual citizenship in the Kingdom of heaven, we should all pursue the things that make for peace amongst ourselves and the things by which we may edify one another. And so instead of useless wranglings over non-essential things which only lead to factions and infighting. We should give each other grace in regards to these things; and allow each person to have their own opinions on these things, so that we might do and pursue those things that will make for peace amongst us, and by which we may edify each other.
Vs. 20-21 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
Food is morally neutral (neither good or evil), yet food like anything else a believer has liberty in can be used in such a way so as to harm another believer's conscience, and or ones faith or potential faith In Christ. And so in verse twenty and twenty one the Apostle Paul now cautions us against such careless use of our liberties In Christ. For too destroy the work of God for the sake of food is untenable. For God goes to great unseen lengths to nurture our persons and faith, both to bring us to faith In Christ, as well as to preserve us while there, while He matures us all in the faith. Therefore to exercise one's liberties, in such a way that might destroy the work of God, and that for food, again is untenable. For though all things are indeed pure to us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Titus 1:15), it is evil for us to eat with offense, that is too exercise our liberty regarding food and drink with a sense of causing offense to another believer (vs. 20). Therefore, "It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak." (vs. 21)
Again the Apostle Paul warns us about misusing our liberty in Christ in such a way that another believer is made to stumble (that is either to fail in their faith, or they are made made to feel repulsed by our doing something that is a violation of their conscience), or is offended (here the offense is something that again causes another believers faith or convictions to fail), or is made weak. If for example a believer has an addiction issue to say food or drink, it would incumbent upon us not to not to exercise our liberties in regards to these things in such a way that would weaken their resolve to abstain from such things. It is then incumbent upon us all who have more readily embraced our liberty in Christ (something which itself is a growth process), and so we must always have due regard for the consciences of those who coming out of the Old Covenant stipulations regarding foods and drink, or any non moral thing, have not yet grown up into. And thus not knowingly practice our liberty so as to cause our brethren to stumble, or is an offense, or makes them weak.
Vs. 22-23 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
The Apostle now exhorts us to exercise our liberties in the faith before God alone. And so when in fellowship with those who are of a weaker conscience we are to regard their person and respect their conscience and not knowingly violate it. Those then who have stronger consciences must not flaunt their liberties in the face of those who still hold to tighter scruples on all non-essential things. For Christian grace and love allows each to follow their own conscience in regards to these things.
Therefore "happy (or blessed, "joy-filled") is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves." Condemn himself by exercising his liberties In Christ with doubt, or in such a way so as to turn them into causing offenses and such. And so verse twenty three sets forth the encompassing principle of faith that is the New Covenant. Thus whether it's food or drink or whatever one does, one must do it in faith. For anything that is not from faith is sin.
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
Word Studies
Vs. 3 despise, quoted from LN. 88.195 ἐξουθενέω: to despise someone or something on the basis that it is worthless or of no value—‘to despise.’ ὅτι εἰσὶν δίκαιοι καὶ ἐξουθενοῦντας τοὺς λοιπούς ‘and they were righteous and despised everyone else’ Lk 18:9; ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω ‘the one who eats should not despise the one who does not eat’ Ro 14:3.
Vs. 21
stumbles: Str 4350; GK 4684; TDNT 6.745; TDNTA 946; LN 15.228; 19.5; 25.182 (Matt 4:6; 7:27; Luke 4:11; John 11:9-10; Rom. 9:32; 14:21; 1 Peter 2:8) 8x
offended: Str 4624; GK 4997; TDNT 7.339; TDNTA 1036; LN 25.179; 25.180; 31.77-78; LN 88.304 (30x)
weak: Str 770; GK 820; TDNT 1.490; TDNTA 83; LN 23.144; 74.26 (36x)
Vs. 21
stumbles: Str 4350; GK 4684; TDNT 6.745; TDNTA 946; LN 15.228; 19.5; 25.182 (Matt 4:6; 7:27; Luke 4:11; John 11:9-10; Rom. 9:32; 14:21; 1 Peter 2:8) 8x
offended: Str 4624; GK 4997; TDNT 7.339; TDNTA 1036; LN 25.179; 25.180; 31.77-78; LN 88.304 (30x)
weak: Str 770; GK 820; TDNT 1.490; TDNTA 83; LN 23.144; 74.26 (36x)
Additional Resources Consulted
Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
Kittel, Gerhard, Gerhard Friedrich, and Geoffrey William Bromiley. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1985.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1737). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Note: Draft Version
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