Romans 14:1–12

Explore the Bible
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

CONSIDER OTHERS
Romans 14:1–12
In Chapter 14, Paul tackles at length one particular issue, rebuking Christians in Rome for standing in judgment over one another. The community is divided into two groups, those who are “weak in faith” and those who are “strong in faith.” They criticize and condemn each other, and Paul insists this judgmental attitude must give way to tolerance and mutual recognition.

Accept Others (1–2)
While Paul wants both groups in the church to accept each other, he is clearly most concerned about the attitude of the strong. This probably reflects the fact that the strong, mainly Gentile Christians, are the dominant group in the church. It is not surprising that Paul begins by appealing to the strong: “Accept anyone who is weak in faith.”

It is important to understand that “faith” in this context does not refer to one’s belief generally but to one’s convictions about what that faith allows him to do. The weak in faith  are those who do not think their faith allows them to do things that the strong feel free to do. Paul wants the strong to accept the weak. They should not allow differences over “doubtful issues” to interfere with full fellowship in the body of Christ.

In verse 2, Paul alludes to one of the “doubtful issues,” the eating of meat. He does not put it that way here. Instead he distinguishes between the one who “eats only vegetables” and the one who “eats everything.” In light of verse 21, however, it is clear that the weak in faith are those who eat only vegetables while the strong eat meat as well.

Avoid Criticizing Others (3–4)
Paul urges both groups to change their attitude toward the other. The strong should not “look down on” the weak. The strong must not treat the weak as nothing. But the weak are also at fault. They must stop criticizing the strong. The word “criticize” here means to pronounce doom on a person, to deny someone his right to salvation. Paul will later argue that only God has the right to make such a determination. Here Paul points to a more specific issue: God has accepted the strong believer. How can we reject from our fellowship one whom God has accepted?

In verse 4, Paul begins to elaborate on this fundamental principle. “Who do you think you are?” is what he is asking the weak believer. In condemning the strong believer, the weak believer is, in effect, claiming to be the master of the strong believer. The Christian, however, has only one “master,” the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is before the Lord Jesus that the believer must give an account.

Live for the Lord (5–9)
Paul now cites a second “doubtful issue” creating tension between the strong and the weak: judging certain days to be more sacred than other days. This is probably a reference to Jewish holy days, including various festivals and the Sabbath. Paul says every believer must be fully convinced in his own mind.

Paul refers to both the weak and the strong here. The weak consider one day above another and do not eat meat while the strong consider every day to be the same and eat meat. Both groups act out of sincere regard for God and a desire to please Him. That is why it is wrong for them to condemn each other. They may disagree on specific practices, but each group needs to recognize the sincerity of the other.

In verses 7–9, Paul states that the Lord Jesus owns the believer and expects the believer to obey Him. No Christian should act out of regard to himself alone. The believer must always take in to account the interests of the Lord Jesus. The Roman Christians are presuming to dictate to one another what they should eat, or not eat, and what days to observe. But only the Lord has that right.

Remember God’s Judgment (10–12)
Paul rebukes the weak believer for condemning the strong Christian and the strong Christian for looking down on the weak believer. Both are engaged in an activity that is rightly God’s alone. Every believer is ultimately answerable to God, not to other believers, for their conduct in this life.