Senior Class Notes – May 31, 2020 – Toonigh Baptist Church

Spring 2020 Unit 3 Session 6 – Accept – Romans 14:1-4, 13-19; PSG p. 152 – 161.

May 31, 2020

The Point: Strong relationships are not hindered by differences of opinion.

Inspirational verse: “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:8-10)

Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. The weak believer is overly conscientious about matters not regulated by Christian revelation. Paul commanded believers to welcome weak Christians but not to get into arguments about doubtful issues (KJV). Scripture is clear as to whether many things are right or wrong. But in this section (14:1-12), Paul addresses those “gray” issues (KJVCRSB). Weak in the faith: The weak brother is sick with reference to the faith. The contention of which Paul speaks is over things that in themselves are morally indifferent. The weak brother attributes a moral value to them and feels he must abstain from certain practices that are in fact not sinful in themselves. The strong brother is to take the weak brother to himself with tenderness. Not to doubtful disputations: The strong brother is not to “split hairs” with the weak brother (KJSB). A weak brother is one who is not convinced that their faith in Christ gives them liberty to engage in certain kinds of behavior (NIVZSB). Those referred to as weak in the faith seem to have been those still trying to earn salvation with ritualistic actions. For example, many Jewish Christians refused to eat meat from an unclean animal (according to the law of Moses) and would simply eat herbs (vegetables) (KJVTSB). Those that are weak in the faith are not unbelievers, but they have not yet understood (or are not able to understand) some of the deeper thinking about the not so clearly defined situations that a Christian faces (KJVFSB). What is the nature of the weakness? Scholars differ dramatically on the root of the weakness in the lives of the Roman believers. But whatever were the particular religious scruples which caused differences between them, the basic problem was that some of the believers had not grasped the great truths Paul has just expounded in his epistle. Those who are weak in the faith were Christians who did not have full understanding that salvation is the free gift of God and that the believer faces no condemnation whatever because of the atonement of Christ. Paul enjoyed his Christian liberty to the fullest and was totally emancipated from foolish superstitions and unbiblical taboos. Some of the Romans, however, were yet clinging to those taboos for they did not fully accept the doctrine of justification by faith alone. In relation to this, Paul addresses both those living freely in Christ and those in Christ who are still bound by fleshly legalism. The strong who had internalized Bible doctrine were to receive the weak, those who did not fully rest in the grace of God. But they were not to argue with them over secondary points of difference (KJBC). Love and fellowship in Christ should be the basis for Christian acceptance of one another (NIVJSB). Fellowship among Christians is not to be based on everyone’s agreement on disputable questions. Christians do not agree on all matters pertaining to the Christian life, nor do they need to (NIV).

Romans 14:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Most Jews were not vegetarians, but see Daniel 1:8-12 (KJV). See 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 for discussion as to why the eating of meat was a problem for some in the early church (KJSB). Believers saved out of Judaism were in the church at Rome. Rather than run the risk of eating non-kosher meats (Kosher meats include all mammals that are ruminants, meaning that they chew cud, or food that is chewed twice to facilitate digestion, and have cloven hooves. This group includes sheep, cows, goats, deer and bison along with less common meat sources, including addax, antelope, gazelle, giraffe, and ibex.) (source: web search of the word kosher), they did not eat meat at all (NIVJSB). Most of the time it had to do with food sacrificed to idols or from an unclean animal (non-kosher) (IMO). So that he may be easily be understood, Paul immediately advances two concrete examples of the weak in the faith verse the strong in the faith. What is the proper diet for the separated Christian? Some believers (whom Paul characterizes as the weak in faith), in order to avoid eating the flesh of animals that had been consecrated to pagan gods (cf. Dan. 1:8), refused to eat anything but vegetables. Converts from heathenism would be especially sensitive to the eating of such meat (KJBC). While the Mosaic law does not forbid meat, many Jews living in pagan environments would refrain from eating meat because of fears that it might have some association with pagan religion (Dan. 1:3-16) (NIVZSB). The strong Christian’s understanding of the gospel allows him to recognize that one’s diet has no spiritual significance (NIV).

Romans 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. Apparently some in the church who felt free to eat meat passed judgement on those who did not. When Paul suggests vegetarians also judged those who ate meat, he is saying the sin despising and disgracing brothers and sisters can work both ways. Neither behavior is acceptable to the Lord; both must be avoided in the body of Christ (Romans 14:10, 13; James 4:11, 12) (NIVJSB). Mutual toleration is a Christian virtue. God accepts each believer, along with issues stemming from his background and maturity level, and is able to sanctify him (KJV). In receiving people with diverse convictions in questionable areas, receive them tenderly, recognize their different convictions or practices, and let them alone (KJSB). Paul’s contention is that the meat itself is not destroyed of nutritional value because it was offered to idols. Since these idols have no validity before God, there is no reason not to partake of this meat. However, he counsels those who do eat, not to despise those who do not. Those who feel no compelling reason not to eat are to refrain from ridiculing those who have definite scruples against meat. The reason is God has received this brother who is weak in the faith and we must as well (KJBC). Another example of differences involved the observance of various Jewish holy days by those who came to Christ from a Jewish background. Paul himself continued such observances after he became a Christian “For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.” (Acts 20:16) but did not force others to do the same. Whatever one’s personal convictions were on these matters, Paul told them to honor God with their actions and to recognize the right of others to see such a matter differently from them. If each one has surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, then God hath received him (KJVTSB). Paul refrains from correcting either the “strong” or the “weak,” showing that he views the issue dividing them as belonging to the adiaphora – practices that scripture neither requires nor prohibits (NIVZSB).

Romans 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. In Romans 14, Paul was addressing “gray areas” in the Christian life. Still, in verse 4, he made it plain that each of us will have to answer to God for the way we have lived this life. God is not going to ask me what I thought about another person’s actions. God is the Lord and Judge over the other person. I’m not (PSG p. 156). Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? Essentially addressing the weak in faith, Paul draws a principle which is found many times in Scripture (cf. Matt. 7:1; Luke 6:37; 1 Cor. 4:3ff). Each Christian is the property of God and we are not in a position to see the inner motives of others. God’s jurisdiction over all believers is not to be infringed upon by either those who are weak or those who are strong. God is judge and not we ourselves (KJBC). Paul quotes Isaiah 45:23 “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear” (see Phil. 2:10) to point out that a day is coming when every believer will give account to God concerning why he did or did not do everything. At this time the weaker and stronger brothers will give their own explanations to God for their divergent practices (KJSB). Though we may be used of God to help inform a weak believer, we must never judge God’s servant (KJV). Rather than being critical of one another, people should attend to their own spiritual conditions and devote themselves to God (KJVCRSB). God is Master, and to Him alone all believers are responsible (NIV).

Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. Our goal must be to help all believers grow into spiritual maturity and not hinder their progress (KJV). A stumblingblock – Greek (proskomma) – the literal sense of the word is of an obstacle that if run into will cause a person to stumble or fall. In the New Testament, however, the usage is figurative in every instance: something one’s soul might “stumble” over (that is, causing a person to sin). An occasion to fall – Greek (skandalon) – The image presented by this word is of a stick or sapling bent over with bait that would trap an animal. It means “snare, stumbling block, something that causes offense.” In Scripture it is most often used metaphorically, as in Romans 9:33 and 1 Peter 2:8 where it describes Jesus as a stumbling block because He did not fit the mold of what people thought the Messiah should be (KJVWSB). The phrase “occasion to fall” is translated by the NIV as Obstacle which refers to an object that is purposefully placed where it will make someone trip and fall like a snare. A stumblingblock is not an intentional hindrance but placing an obstacle is. Believers do not act in Christian love if they force their freedoms on others, causing them to sin against their consciences (1 Cor. 8:9) (NIVJSB). Only the Lord has the right to judge, and He will judge the believer’s use of his freedom in amoral things (matters of conscience, not clear biblical teaching). Judgement must stop now, because it mars the harmony in the church by focusing attention on something that is of secondary importance to God. A stumblingblock is conduct that is offensive or causes shock to another. In this case it brings an occasion to fall. It causes a believer to imitate the conduct of another, with the result that he is conscience-stricken and feels that he has sinned against God (KJSB). Instead of dwelling on the occasions when an individual has stumbled, let us determine what we can do to keep that person from stumbling again. Staying in touch, becoming a prayer partner, providing words of encouragement, and offering good options to potentially harmful choices can help someone stand rather than fall (KJVTSB). The Bible widely uses both words – stumblingblock and obstacle – to refer to matters that might cause a believer to stray from their commitment to God (v. 14:20; cf. Exod. 23:33; Josh. 23:13; Psalm 106:36; Isa. 8:14; Matt. 18:7; 1 Cor. 8:9; 1 John 2:10) (NIVZSB).

Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Unclean means common, and refers to the things prohibited by the Jewish ceremonial law. If anyone considers some activity to be wrong, then for him it is wrong to engage in that activity (KJVFSB). Martin Luther, in his treatise On the Freedom of a Christian Man, wrote, “A Christian man is a most free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian man is a most dutiful servant of all, subject to all.” By this he meant that even though our liberty in Christ may permit us to engage in a certain activity, we nevertheless may not be wise in doing so. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself. Paul casts his lot with the strong in faith who are not given to the legalism of the weak. However he is well aware that he may become a stumbling block to the weaker brother for the conscience of the weak will not allow him to engage in the activities of Paul (KJBC). Paul’s background as a Pharisee trained him to emphasize the distinction between clean and unclean (Lev. 20:25), but Jesus persuaded him that this distinction was no longer valid. Amazingly, Paul adopted a new stance, but he also recognized that some believers, especially those from a Jewish background, had not made this transition. Mature believers should not recklessly push “weak” believers (v.1) into such a transition (KJV). Now that Paul was a Christian, the old food taboos no longer applied (see Matt. 15:10-11, 16-20; Mark 7:14-23), there is nothing unclean of itself translated by the NIV as “no food is unclean in itself”. For Paul’s teaching elsewhere on this subject see Acts 10:15, 28; 1 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:15 (NIV). Jewish people separated “clean” and “unclean” foods, following the Old Testament (Leviticus 11; Dt. 14). (Leviticus 11:44-45 deals with holiness as separation and may suggest that God gave special food laws to Israel particularly to keep it separate from other nations, because most cultures had their own special dietary practices. For Jesus’ followers called to reach the world, however, its principle of moral separation could be retained without cultural separation.) Although some elite Diaspora Jews believed that this division was primarily for symbolic purposes, most continued to practice the food laws literally. Although Paul does not discourage his own people from observing kosher rules (i.e., observing the food regulations of Lev. 11), his language (here and in verse 20) would shock many of them. He may have found precedent in Jesus’ teaching. In Mark 7:19, Jesus said “don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) (NIVCBSB). Peter is told by a voice in Acts 10:15 “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (NIV).

Romans 14:15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. This chapter concerns weak and strong Christians and their attitudes toward each other in practical matters within the church. If a stronger brother fails to consider the scruples of the weaker brother, the stronger brother violates the obligations of love. He is selfishly putting his own desires above the real needs of one who is weak in faith (KJVFSB). There is no virtue in flaunting Christian liberty. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Believers must not insist on their liberty in the presence of those whose conscience would be offended. To do so is not to walk in love under the lordship of Christ. To the strong in faith Paul admonishes, Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. If we are to live a life of consideration for our neighbor then we must learn that even though there are things we feel we biblically may do, many of those same things, for the sake of others, we should not do (KJBC). Destroy means to tear down or keep something or someone from reaching its potential (1 Cor. 8:8-12). A lack of love and care for another can cause them to engage in behavior that wounds their conscience and keeps them from growing spiritually (Romans 14:20; 1 Cor. 8:11) (NIVJSB). Love is the key to proper settlement of disputes. Christ so valued the weak brother as to die for him. Surely the strong Christian ought to be willing to make adjustments in his own behavior for the sake of such brothers (NIV). A strong Christian must live in love and not violate the conscience of a weak believer. The conscience is the moral faculty of the mind. It can be educated by God through the Holy Spirit, but we must never encourage anyone to go against his conscience. We can cause a person’s spiritual ruin by teaching them to ignore or violate their conscience (KJV). A problem between “strong” and “weak” Christians is the exercise of one’s religious freedom with callous disregard for how others might be affected. In the first century when one group was sensitive to dietary restrictions and whether or not meat had been sacrificed to idols, and another group had no concern about such things, sharing a meal together could be awkward (KJVCRSB).

Romans 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: Christian liberty will get a bad name if love does not govern it (KJV). A Christian’s testimony can be hurt if what he or she does in the name of good is spoken of as evil by others. Paul is not recommending surrendering one’s freedom but using it wisely (NIVJSB). To exercise freedom without responsibility can lead to evil results (NIV). Paul reaffirms that the position of the strong is right and good, but advises them not to let what is good become the object of misunderstanding (KJBC). Christian freedom is not license. If one’s exercise of freedom impairs the growth of others, it’s better to voluntarily do without such excuse. Paul recognized that believers develop at their individual paces. People are not required to reach total agreement in all matters of church function, and they should learn to respect differences of opinion (KJVCRSB). The stronger brother might destroy his testimony. The stronger brother says his liberty comes from God, but the weaker brother says it comes from Satan (KJSB).

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Food is never to be a major concern in our lives, but we are to promote righteousness, and peace, and joy in the churches (KJV). The kingdom of God does not consist in observing days, eating or not eating meats, or any other secondary issues of religious scruples, but in righteousness (perfect uprightness in our daily walk), peace (perfect peace with God and a consistent attempt to be a peacemaker of the brethren), and joy (perfect union and intimate love through the Holy Spirit, cf. Matthew 5:6, 9, 10, 12; 6:31) (KJBC). Many Judeans longed for the coming kingdom, when God would reign unchallenged. That would be the era of the outpoured Spirit “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call – KJV” (Joel 2:32), an era characterized by justice, peace and rejoicing. Because believers already experience the Spirit in the present, we have a foretaste of that coming world. We should therefore live at peace with one another (NIVCBSB). Even if you have decided that eating certain foods is in accord with your understanding of what is pleasing to God, if it causes another believer to be grieved by the choice you have made, you should be eager to change. Your freedom should not look like license or gluttony. The kingdom of God is a lot more important than the things we eat and drink (KJVFSB). The believer’s focus should be on the values of the kingdom of God, not worship styles or modes of dress. The enemy does all he can to drive people toward division. The Spirit drives God’s family toward unity (NIVJSB).

Romans 14:18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. The word serveth – Greek (douleuō) – literally means “to be a (bond) slave,” “to perform the service of a slave,” or “to serve.” The related noun doulos, slave, bondservant, is often used in the New Testament to refer to the believer’s relationship to God or Christ (Phil. 1:1; James 1:1). Christians belong to God. They happily give to Him, their Master, unconditional obedience as His due and their obligation (cf. Luke 17:7-10). In Greco-Roman society, it was both a great honor and privileged opportunity to be slaves of an important master. Slaves gained benefits and status from the authority delegated to them. Christians are also admonished to offer such service to one another (Gal. 5:13) (KJVWSB).

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Our actions should serve Christ and help other Christians grow and flourish (KJV). True spirituality is not shown in the manifestation of liberty, but in the manifestation of the Spirit. True liberty may be shown by refraining from the exercise of one’s liberty. The stronger brother might disrupt the peace of the body, so he should forego his liberty in the interest of peace in the assembly (KJSB). The word translated edify comes from the Greek (oikodomē), figuratively meaning building up, enlightening, informing. The sense is of actively contributing to a person’s spiritual betterment or enlightenment or increasing wisdom (see Romans 15:2) (KJVWSB). Paul cautions the Romans not to ride moral or theological hobbyhorses but to pursue those issues which will tend toward building the common bond of faith between the weak and the strong. The basis of fellowship is not peripheral matters of eating or drinking but the salvation which both enjoy in Christ (KJBC).

References: Spring 2020

(CWB) – Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry Copyright © 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(ESVSB) The English Standard Version Study Bible, Personal Size. Copyright © 2008 by Crossway. Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway.
(ETB) – Explore The Book by J. Sidlow Baxter. Copyright © 1960 by J. Sidlow Baxter. Published 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(IMO) – On occasion, with the prayerful guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will make comments of my own, based on my understanding of the events. I will indicate such times with In My Opinion.
(LG) – Bible Studies For Life – KJV Adults Leader Guide Summer 2019 Unit 2 Session 5
(NIVBTSB) – The New International Version Biblical Theology Study Bible © 2018 by The Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. previously published as The New International Version Zondervan Study B
(NIVCBSB) – The NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible Copyright © 2016 by The Zondervan Corporation Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. published by The Zondervan Corporation.
(NIVJSB) – The NIV Jeremiah Study Bible, Copyright © 2016 by David Jeremiah, Inc. Using The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.
(NIVSB) – The New International Version Study Bible Copyright © 1985 by The Zondervan Corporation Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the New York International Bible Society.
(NIVMEB) – The Ministry Essentials Bible, Copyright © 2014 by Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC. Based on The Holy Bible, New International Version NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(NIVZSB) – The New International Version Zondervan Study Bible © 2015 by the Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(NCBD) – Nelson’s Compact Bible Dictionary Copyright © 2004 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. with Scripture Quotations from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
(PSG) – Bible Studies For Life – KJV Adults Personal Study Guide Spring 2019 Vol. 6, No. 3.
(SEC) – Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Dictionaries of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Testament words. Copyright © 1890 by James Strong. Based on the King James Version of the Bible
(TDNT) – Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
(VCED) – Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, © 1984, 1996, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Nashville, TN