Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

14:1 As for the one who is weak. The exhortation here is directed to the strong, for they are tempted to enter into quarrels with those who have a weaker faith.

14:2 The strong are operating in their belief that all foods are permitted. Notice that Paul does not say that the weak are exhibiting faith by their abstaining. The weak eat only vegetables, probably so that they avoid the risk of eating unclean foods (cf. Dan. 1:8, 10, 12, 16).

14:3 The strong are liable to ridicule and mock the weak with their delicate conscience. Conversely, the weak are prone to pass judgment on those who feel the liberty to eat anything. The weak must not stand in judgment, for God has accepted the strong believer.

14:4 This verse is likely directed to the weak. It is not their place as fellow servants to pass judgment on the strong. The strong stand or fall before God, and they will stand righteous before God on the last day because God will give them grace to keep them from falling away.

14:5 The weak thought some days were more important than others. Given the Jewish background here (see v. 14), the day that is supremely in view is certainly the Sabbath. The strong think every day is the same. Both views are permissible. Each person must follow his own conscience. What is remarkable is that the Sabbath is no longer a binding commitment for Paul but a matter of one's personal conviction. Unlike the other nine commandments in Ex. 20:1-17, the Sabbath commandment seems to have been part of the "ceremonial laws" of the Mosaic covenant, like the dietary laws and the laws about sacrifices, all of which are no longer binding on new covenant believers (see also Gal. 4:10; Col. 2:16-17). However, it is still wise to take regular times of rest from work, and regular times of worship are commanded for Christians (Heb. 10:24-25; cf. Acts 20:7).

14:6 Whether one observes a special day, or eats all foods, or abstains from some foods, the important thing is the honor of the Lord and to give thanks to God.

14:7-8 Fundamental to the whole discussion is the reality that the Christian's life is not his own. Both in life and in death, Christians belong to the Lord, and he alone is their judge.

14:10-12 The strong should not despise the weak, and the weak should not judge the strong, for everyone will stand before God, who will judge all on the last day. The future day of judgment is prophesied in Isa. 45:23. Every person will give an account of his life to God at the judgment. Though justification is by faith alone, what Christians do will affect God's evaluation of their service to him and the rewards they will receive (cf. 1 Cor. 3:10-17; 2 Cor. 5:10).

14:14 Christians are no longer under the old covenant, hence Paul no longer accepts the view that some foods are unclean (cf. Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14). Still, if anyone thinks certain foods are unclean, then they are unclean for that person.

14:15-17 The strong should not cause sorrow to the weak by what they eat but rather should refrain for the sake of the weak. They must beware lest they destroy the faith of a brother or sister. If the strong do not act in love, the goodness of the gospel may be wrongly identified as evil, for their lack of love for the weak contradicts Christ's love. God's kingdom centers on the gifts of righteousness, peace, and joy granted by the Holy Spirit, so that bodily appetites become secondary.

14:18-19 Those who show such love for the weak please God and stand out before others as selfless servants of Christ. All Christians are summoned to edify others and to strive for peace.

14:20-21 Paul urges the strong not to destroy God's work in the weak by eating food that will scandalize the weak. He assures the strong that all food is clean (another indication that Jewish food laws are in view), but even the strong who have no convictions against eating such food fall into sin when others stumble and fall away from Christ upon observing how the strong behave.

14:22 The strong are likely addressed here. The faith that you have means their faith that they may eat anything (cf. vv. 1-2, 23). They are not asked to surrender their convictions, but they should not behave in a way that injures the faith of others and thereby brings judgment on themselves.

14:23 No one should eat unclean food if he has doubts about the rightness of the activity. Indeed, anything believers do apart from faith is sin, for faith glorifies God by trusting him (4:20), and lack of faith dishonors him.

15:1-3 The strong have a responsibility to tolerate and support the weak instead of living selfishly to satisfy their own desires. The Christian life centers on strengthening others. Christ is the supreme example of living for the glory of God, as is shown in the citation of Ps. 69:9.

15:4 Whatever was written in former days includes the whole of the OT Scriptures. Paul expresses confidence that all of the OT was written down for the instruction and encouragement of God's people, thus indirectly implying that all the words of the OT are words of God, words that he wisely directed to be written not only for his purposes at the time they were written but also for later centuries.

15:7 Therefore, in conclusion, both the strong and the weak are exhorted to accept one another, for they have been accepted by Christ even though they are sinners. Such mutual acceptance will bring great glory to God.

15:8 The circumcised refers to the Jews here. In fulfilling God's saving promises to the Jews, the Lord's truthfulness and faithfulness to his word are demonstrated.

15:9-12 Paul cites verses from 2 Sam. 22:50 or Ps. 18:49; Deut. 32:43; Ps. 117:1; and Isa. 11:10, which emphasize the inclusion of the Gentiles into the people of God along with the Jews. If the first reference is from 2 Sam. 22:50, citations are provided from the historical books, the law, the writings, and the prophets. The one people of God, both Jews and Gentiles, will praise God forever for his great mercy extended to them in Christ Jesus, showing that the worship of God is his ultimate aim in salvation history.

15:9 The whole of Romans emphasizes the inclusion of the Gentiles as well in God's saving plan. They will also praise God for his mercy to them.

15:13 Hope is the link word from v. 12 (see also v. 4). Joy and peace come from trust in God, but such trust is finally the gift of God, for believers abound in hope only by his grace.