Romans 14:1–19; James 4:11–12

Bible Studies for Life
Assistant Professor of Religion, Department of Religion, Samford University

Don’t Criticize One Another
Romans 14:1–19; James 4:11–12
The letters written by Paul and James express a deep concern for the well-being of Christian congregations. Both writers insisted on unity over discord, and both could condemn divisive behavior with some force. They were not “nice” about it. This week, we look at particular behaviors that both warned against, all of them center around caustic criticism, whether through words or actions.

It is important to distinguish between the kinds of criticism that James and Paul thought was bad and the kind they thought was necessary. These authors were engaging in a type of criticism by telling people not to criticize. But the issue is not correcting destructive behavior, for sometimes that has to be done. The problem is being critical in a way that tears down the community rather than building it up or seems as if we have divine authority. James talked about the tongue’s power to set things ablaze.

The Problem With Criticism (James 4:11–12)
In this passage, James warned about “speaking evil” against a brother or sister, which he likened to judging. That verb “judge” reveals what James meant: divine judgment. He was not talking about pointing out destructive behavior (which he did) but about speech that questions fellow believers’ standing before God, that judges them as unworthy of God (“I just can’t believe that a Christian could vote for so-and-so”; “She calls herself a Christian, but she sure doesn’t act like it”). To speak evil against a brother or sister in this way is to act as if we are God, for He alone has the power and the right to save or condemn a person.

The Need for Acceptance (Rom. 14:1–4)
Paul said something similar in this passage, which extends to the end of the chapter (see verses 10, 13); whereas James spoke generally, Paul was talking about dietary regulations (compare 1 Corinthians 8, 10). Some followed strict guidelines; others did not. Some regarded particular days to be holy (Jews had the Sabbath; Gentiles had other days of the month), while others regarded all equally (see verses 5 and following). Paul was probably not calling those who adhere to such rules “weak in faith” but using irony: He probably wished to make his point stick by adopting the language of those who considered themselves “strong.” The point was that people who hold either opinion did what they did in order to honor the Lord, and like a good Jew, Paul knew that God takes a person’s intention into account. So there was no room for arguing for this or that practice when God welcomes both those who did it and those who did not.

The Goal of Edification (Rom. 14:5–19)
Paul continued his discussion, making the point that both keeping strict regulations and keeping none are not done for our sake but for God’s. The goal is to honor God in everything. That means that even if a person, such as Paul, regards nothing as unclean, he or she ought to abstain from what “injures” or “grieves” or “offends” (all good translations of the word in verse 15) someone who does. Why? Because the goal is to “walk in love” with one another, to pursue the things that make for peace and build up one another. Arguing about matters that have no bearing on the community’s standing before God and causing offense because we think we are more spiritually mature than others do the opposite.

We used to be able to count on Baptists to be abstainers from all sorts of things, including violating the Sabbath. Increasingly, however, we can find Baptists who no longer abstain from some of the most famous Baptist taboos. Less and less, therefore, can Baptists relax about giving offense through our actions. No longer are these instructions for “other” kinds of Christians. All — those who continue to abstain as well as those who do not — need to ask, “What is really at stake here, my own opinion or God’s glory?”

What we have learned this week is that both words and actions can either build up or tear down the community. Both can edify or criticize. Let us seek the greater good.