Romans 14 - The Law of Liberty
Accepting Differences and Living in Harmony Within the Body of Christ
Romans 14
Principles of Conscience
Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.
One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.
The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.
Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One person regards one day above another, another * regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.
He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;
for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether * we live or * die, we are the Lord's.
For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD."
So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this -not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.
I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.
It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.
The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever * is not from faith is sin.
Three Questions
How does Romans 14 address internal conflict within the early Christian community?
What principles of Christian conduct does Romans 14 emphasize for believers?
How does Romans 14 balance individual liberty with communal harmony?
Question 1 - How does Romans 14 address internal conflict within the early Christian community?
The book of Romans, chapter 14, addresses conflicts within the early Christian community that stemmed from differing opinions about permissible practices, specifically regarding diet and the observance of special days.
Some Christians believed it was permissible to eat any food, while others, referred to as the "weak," adhered to a vegetarian diet.
Similarly, there were disagreements regarding the significance of specific days, with some observing certain days as more important than others, while others viewed all days as equal.
Paul urges mutual acceptance and respect among believers despite these differences.
He emphasizes that God welcomes both those who eat all foods and those who abstain.
He encourages individuals to be fully persuaded in their own minds regarding their practices, acknowledging that each person's actions are ultimately for the Lord, whether they choose to eat certain foods or observe particular days.
Paul highlights that all believers belong to Christ, both in life and in death.
He reminds them that they will all stand before God's judgment seat and give an account of their actions.
Therefore, he cautions against judging or looking down upon fellow Christians for their choices, emphasizing that such judgment belongs to God alone.
Paul underscores the importance of love and consideration for fellow believers.
He acknowledges that while something might be permissible in principle, it becomes wrong if it causes a brother to stumble.
He implores Christians to prioritize the well-being of others over personal freedom.
Paul emphasizes that true faith is not merely about external practices but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
He highlights that pursuing peace and mutual edification within the community should be paramount.
Paul urges believers to act in ways that please God and receive approval from others.
Ultimately, Romans 14 calls for unity and understanding within the early Christian community.
It encourages believers to exercise their freedom responsibly, considering the consciences of others and prioritizing love and peace above personal convictions.
The passage underscores that the kingdom of God is not defined by food or drink but by the virtues of righteousness, peace, and joy.
Question 2 - What principles of Christian conduct does Romans 14 emphasize for believers?
The main principles of Christian conduct emphasized in Romans 14 are:
Do not judge or look down on other believers for their differing opinions on non-essential matters: The passage begins by addressing disputes over opinions on practices that are not fundamental to the Christian faith, such as dietary choices and observance of special days. It emphasizes that believers should welcome one another in faith without engaging in judgment or condemnation over these matters.
Respect the conscience of weaker believers: Paul uses the term "weak" to refer to those whose conscience restricts them from certain practices that others may deem permissible. He instructs stronger believers not to cause offense or stumbling to these weaker brothers and sisters through their own freedom. He urges believers not to let their "good" (referring to their freedom in these matters) be "reviled" or spoken against because of their inconsiderate actions towards weaker consciences.
Act in love: The passage strongly emphasizes love as the guiding principle for Christian conduct. It states that if a believer's actions, even if permissible, cause harm to another believer, it is no longer acting in love. This applies specifically to dietary practices in this context, where Paul urges believers to consider the impact of their choices on others.
Pursue peace and build each other up: Romans 14 encourages believers to prioritize actions that promote peace and unity within the community. They are to avoid causing division or offense and instead seek to edify one another. This involves making choices that contribute to the spiritual well-being of fellow believers, even if it means restricting one's own freedom in certain areas.
Live and die for the Lord: Ultimately, the passage underscores the overarching truth that believers belong to the Lord, whether in life or death. Therefore, their lives should be lived for His purposes, and their actions should reflect His Lordship over them. This principle provides the foundation for all other instructions in the chapter, reminding believers that their choices should honor Christ, who is Lord of both the living and the dead.
Each person is accountable to God: Romans 14 emphasizes the individual accountability of believers before God. It reminds them that they will each stand before the judgment seat of God to give an account of their lives. This understanding should motivate believers to live in a way that pleases God, considering the impact of their actions on others.
Faith is essential: The passage concludes by highlighting the importance of acting from faith. Whatever a believer does should be grounded in faith, and if there is doubt, it is considered sin. This principle applies to the specific issue of eating certain foods but also has broader implications for all areas of Christian conduct.
This passage in Romans emphasizes that true Christian living goes beyond mere adherence to external rules and regulations. It calls for a sensitive and loving approach toward fellow believers, recognizing their differences in conscience and striving for unity and peace within the body of Christ.
Questions 3 - How does Romans 14 balance individual liberty with communal harmony?
To maintain communal harmony, Romans 14 encourages individuals to exercise their liberty in a way that does not cause a fellow believer to stumble. The passage addresses disagreements regarding the observance of certain days and the consumption of certain foods.
Individual Liberty and Its Limits
Some individuals have the freedom to eat anything, while others may only consume vegetables. Similarly, some might consider one day more important than others, while others view all days alike. The author emphasizes that individuals should be fully persuaded in their own minds regarding these matters. This suggests a degree of individual liberty in matters of personal conscience.
However, the passage warns against using this liberty to the detriment of another believer. If an action, even if permissible, would cause a fellow believer to stumble, it should be avoided. For instance, if eating meat causes a brother to stumble, it is better to abstain from it. The principle is to prioritize the well-being and spiritual growth of others over personal preferences.
Communal Harmony and Mutual Respect
The passage stresses the importance of mutual respect and understanding within the community. Those who eat should not despise those who abstain, and vice versa. Each person stands accountable to God, and it is not for others to judge them. Recognizing that all believers will stand before God's judgment seat should foster humility and discourage passing judgment on others.
The author encourages believers to prioritize peace and mutual edification over personal freedom. Instead of focusing on disagreements about food and drink, the emphasis should be on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, serving Christ in this way is pleasing to God and brings approval from others.
By following these principles, believers can navigate the tension between individual liberty and communal harmony, creating an environment where all can grow in faith and love.
Today’s Action
One action you can take to apply the teachings of Romans 14 is to practice acceptance and understanding:
Respect Different Convictions: When interacting with others who have different beliefs or practices, especially on non-essential matters, choose to respect their convictions. Avoid arguments over these differences and focus on building unity and peace.
This action reflects the message of Romans 14:1-3, which advises accepting those whose faith is weak without quarreling over disputable matters, and Romans 14:19, which encourages making every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification. By respecting different convictions, you foster a more inclusive and harmonious community.
Check out this podcast as the hosts dive deeply into this topic.