Laying Some Groundwork for Romans 14
Some things to consider before we start Romans 14.
There will be certain aspects of Romans 14 that we - myself included - will find challenging in properly applying to ourselves what is being taught.
I pray this brief introduction will be helpful as we prepare to dive into a highly practical, yet challenging, section of Romans much needed in the Lord’s church today - just as it was needed in the first century.
Who Are the “Weak” and “Strong” in Romans 14?
Paul will say much about the “weak” and the “strong” in this chapter. But who is he referring to?
The most surprising thing in this chapter is that the “weak brother” is identified as the over-strict one, and not as one who exercised his liberty in Christ! - Coffman, Commentary on Romans, 450
The “weak” were extremely conscientious regarding dietary matters and the observance of special days. The “strong” had no regard for either and insisted on their freedom in Christ, refusing to be bound by Jewish scruples in these matters. - Pollard, Truth for Today Commentary, 493
Five Observations from Romans 14.
The following observations come from Jim McGuiggan in his commentary on Romans (p. 380-385). He makes other observations as well, but I’ve selected these five. I think he does a good job helping us get our heads around what’s to come in Romans 14.
#1 - “The final arbiter, for the Christian, is LOVE.”
Love and knowledge or truth are not opposites. Some would throw truth out the window for the sake of “love” while others would have no problem sacrificing love for the sake of “truth.” However, love and truth go hand-in-hand (1 Corinthians 13:6).
What we will notice in Romans 14, is that sometimes love must be willing to sacrifice what is true in matters of opinion - “Eating meat is fine” - for the sake of a weak brother’s conscience - “I can’t eat that meat.”
#2 - “Romans 14 is not dealing with a situation in which the truth of the Gospel is being attacked.”
While some of the issues Paul references in Romans 14 are also covered in Galatians and Colossians, the tone Paul used in those two letters is drastically different than his tone in Romans.
It appears the difference was that the brethren who received Galatians and Colossians were making issues like this a matter of fellowship and salvation (Acts 15:1), which undermined the doctrine of justification by faith in Jesus Christ.
However, the Christians in Rome viewed the matters of dietary restrictions, religious days, etc., as a personal matter of conscience.
#3 - “Weak brothers and sisters are to be taught.”
We must teach truth when the occasion arises. Nevertheless, we are not to become so anxious about the scruples of people that we can’t wait to “straighten them out.” This spirit Paul explicitly forbids in Romans 14:1. - McGuiggan, Romans, 381
But even when the truth has been taught, sometimes we have difficulty letting go of matters of conscience or scruple.
Romans 14 allows Christians who have been correctly taught - “Hey, eating meat is just a matter of opinion” - to still abstain if they choose, and others are urged to remember the conscience of their brethren.
#4 - “Congregations must not fragment because there are views and practices within the membership with which some other members disagree.”
If the issue in question is a fundamental issue and of basic importance (if it is a salvation issue) we must work toward the reconciling of the parties. If that can’t be accomplished withdrawal of the offenders must take place. If it isn’t a salvation issue we must agree to differ. In areas like these we don’t have to separate. - McGuiggan, Romans, 383
I’m afraid many Christians will stand before the Lord on judgment day and have to answer for how they agitated, splintered, and divided the church of Christ over trivial matters of opinion and conscience.
May God help us to see the errors of our ways and change!
#5 - “Some doctrinal errors will cost people their salvation.”
The Bible teaches there are doctrinal errors that will cost Christians their souls (such as Galatians 5:4; 2 John 7-9). When the Scriptures link our salvation to properly understanding and correctly teaching certain doctrines, who are we to disagree with God?
However, not every doctrinal error will cost a Christian their soul - as we see from Romans 14.
A doctrinal position may be incorrect and not essentially connected with salvation. No one with sense believes that every error is soul-destroying. How do you tell which are and which are not? How about beginning with the plain warrant of Scripture?! If the Bible doesn’t connect the error, with direct clearness (either explicitly or manifestly), to redemption, how dare we do it! - McGuiggan, Romans, 384
I’m looking forward to our study of Romans 14 together!
Looking forward to the study, Jameson.