Now God must have reality in the man himself. Sometimes in this world he can make use of the merits of someone else. Do not bring ruin by what you eat to that man for whom Christ died. There is nothing unclean - Greek common. This word was used by the Jews to denote what was unclean, because, in their apprehension, whatever was partaken by the multitude, or all people, must be impure. All his life he had been compassed about by a multiplicity of rules and regulations. A wondrous way, but most blessed! And to this agreed the testimony of the prophet. It is no longer a question of man's guilt, but of his nature. Of a mistaken conscience, Romans 14:14; Romans 14:14. It pronounced on the Jew then. This was not a bare conjecture, nor a mere opinion, but a point of certain knowledge, a matter of faith, and of full assurance of faith; the apostle was thoroughly persuaded of the truth of it, and had not the least doubt nor difficulty in his mind about it; he was as fully assured of it, as he was of his salvation by Christ, and of his interest in the love of God, from which he could never be separated, and therefore expresses it in language equally as strong; and this he came to the knowledge and persuasion of, "by the Lord Jesus"; by his express words, Matthew 15:11; or by a revelation from him, in which way he had the whole Gospel: he might be informed of this matter in like manner as Peter was, by a vision from heaven, Acts 10:10, or he knew this through the abrogation of the whole ceremonial law by Christ, who abolished the law of commandments contained in ordinances, and so these laws relating to the difference of meats among the rest; and he knew, that all the creatures in their original creation were good, and though cursed, for man's sake yet Christ had removed the curse, and sanctified them for the use of his people, who, under the Gospel dispensation, might make use of them at pleasure, without distinction: and the Jews themselves own, that what before was unclean, shall in the days of the Messiah be clean: so they explain Psalms 146:7; "the Lord looseth the prisoners", which they would render, "the Lord looseth that which was forbidden"; and give this as the sense r, "every beast which was unclean in this world (the Jewish state), " , "God will cleanse it in the time to come" (in the times of the Messiah), when they shall be clean as at the first, to the sons of Noah. Well, this was the disease, and we see it remaining in the church to this day; the like differences, in like manner mismanaged, are still the disturbers of the church's peace. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Verse Romans 14:14. What blindness! He shows that, on the responsible ground of being His nation, they were wholly ruined. This is a thing in which all the people of God are one, however they differ in other things; though some are weak and others are strong, yet both agree in this, not to live to themselves. You should work together with God, do not countermine his work. But the Jew might argue that it was an unjust thing in principle this gospel, these tidings of which the apostle was so full; for why should one man affect many, yea, all? Here was the very truth that every Jew, as such, denied. "We have found," said G. K. Chesterton, "all the questions that can be found. And this leads the apostle into the moral history of man the proof both of his inexcusable guilt, and of his extreme need of redemption. Here it seems to be taken more strictly; whatever is not of faith (that is, whatever is done while we are not clearly persuaded of the lawfulness of it), is a sin against conscience. There is the more liberal which sees no harm in many things and is well content that many an innocent pleasure should go on within the Church. So, then, each of us shall render account to God for himself. Paul ends by setting out the Christian aim within the fellowship. See Matthew 18:6; Matthew 18:10. That is what Paul is getting at here. And in this case, the person weak in the faith is the one who has very limited or narrow convictions. By shaking his faith, provoking his passion, and tempting him to act against the light of his own conscience, thou dost, as much as in thee lies, destroy him, giving him an occasion to return to Judaism. So therefore it addressed itself to the obedience of faith; not by this meaning practice, still less according to the measure of a man's duty, but that which is at the root of all practice faith-obedience obedience of heart and will, renewed by divine grace, which accepts the truth of God. At this point we enter upon a most important part of the epistle, on which we must dwell for a little. We have had justification, both by blood and also in virtue of Christ's resurrection. In the Church at Rome there were apparently two lines of thought. In reference to spiritual difficulties and dangers (our own and others), much of our hope and comfort are grounded upon the divine power, 1 Peter 1:5; Jude 1:24. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Because both the one and the other, if they be true believers, and are right in the main, have an eye to God, and do approve themselves to God in what they do, Romans 14:6; Romans 14:6. Should not we be pleased with that which God is pleased with? If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. We have no right to distress another man's conscience in the things which do not really matter. R. Moses Hadarsan in Galatin. This were indeed to deny the value of His death, and of that newness of life we have in Him risen, and a return to bondage of the worst description. There was a rabbinic saying: "Let not thine imagination assure thee that the grave is an asylum; for perforce thou wast framed, and perforce thou wast born. Why would they not allow such a pretension? For, essentially associated as He is with the glory of God the Father, the full deliverance of souls from the realm of death was His also. Romans 14 Commentary - John Gill's Exposition of the Bible But why do you judge your brother? David Guzik :: Study Guide for Romans 14 Helping a Weaker Brother A. Don't judge each other in doubtful things. There we find Christian knowledge as to the matter introduced; but still it is the knowledge of one who is not in this state pronouncing on one who is. To . First of all, the groundwork of it is laid in the first four verses, the last of them leading into every-day walk. Christ the Lord is the one who will judge his servants. The quickening power of God therefore was here set forth, of course historically in a way connected with this life and a posterity on earth, but nevertheless a very just and true sign of God's power for the believer the quickening energy of God after a still more blessed sort. (1.) It is true, it is needful for man to learn; but in nowise is it good news. ver. Him who came in humiliation, according to their prophets, they might despise; but it was vain to deny that the same prophets bore witness to His divine glory. Through the Scriptures, as well as through the example of Christ, God encourages Christians to live in unity with one another (4-6). A DIFFERENT ROAD TO THE SAME GOAL ( Romans 14:5-6 ). We must deny ourselves in many cases for the preservation of our credit and reputation, forbearing to do that which we rightly know we may lawfully do, when our doing it may be a prejudice to our good name; as, when it is suspicious and has the appearance of evil, or when it becomes scandalous among good people, or has any way a brand upon it. In the rest of chapter 15 the apostle dwells on the extent of his apostleship, renews his expression of the thought and hope of visiting Rome, and at the same time shows how well he remembered the need of the poor at Jerusalem. While Paul realized all food may be eaten with Gods approval, he also understood that not every Christian was comfortable with doing this. He specifies the case in hand, concerning the difference of meats. So in this matter our convictions are to be personal things. Christ is the centre, in which all the lines of life and death do meet. Let us not stumble at the starting-point, but leave room for the due extent and depth of "salvation" in the gospel. Because I would not want to do something that would stumble someone else. Why is all this clashing, and contradicting, and censuring, among Christians? Such is the principle. Paul is talking to committed disciples and he told them to focus on peace, upbuilding and avoiding quarrels. It will be observed therefore, that in this connection the apostle shows the place both of conscience and of the law, that God in judging will take into full consideration the circumstances and condition of every soul of man. Thus, I live in the law of love a more stringent life than my own convictions. The narrower people make a great deal of the observance of one special day. To hold the truth in unrighteousness would be no security. When a man follows this principle he becomes the slave of Christ. He quotes from Joel, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. First, Drawing a soul to sin threatens the destruction of that soul. This new law says all foods are acceptable (Mark 7:19). Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. Let not your Christian friendship and fellowship be disturbed with such vain janglings and strifes of words.--Not to judge his doubtful thoughts (so the margin), "not to pump out his weak sentiments concerning those things which he is in doubt about, that you may censure and condemn him." Concerning meats (Romans 14:2; Romans 14:2): One believeth that he may eat all things--he is well satisfied that the ceremonial distinction of meats into clean and unclean is no longer in force, but that every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused; nothing unclean of itself,Romans 14:14; Romans 14:14. Who are you to judge another man's servant? All Israel shall be saved. (iii) We must avoid contempt. It is "the power of God unto salvation." If one may so say, He thus holds the man, instead of letting the man presume that he is holding fast the truth. Those are most pleasing to God that are best pleased with him; and they are those that abound most in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:15. (2.) It is great to have, really, that kind of faith in God that nothing really comes between you and God. There never can be solid peace with God without both. When I was growing up as a child, over and over and over again I heard it preached that you could not go to heaven if you smoked. Is the older man to use his Christian freedom to go on setting an example which may well be the ruin of his young admirer? "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized unto Jesus Christ were baptized unto his death?" 2. Nor will it be asked, "Who was conformist and who was non-conformist?" We all know where it is and must be for the Christian. The terror of every sin is that it starts a new train of evil in the world. Now it was manifested, and not promised or predicted merely. So that is where my problem lies, no problem dealing with those who have stronger convictions as long as they leave me alone. Though he had never visited Rome, many of them were known personally. Help us, Lord, to walk in the path in which it leads us. The advantages of it. His witness to our spirit is this, that we are children of God. Although Christians are free from religious rules and regulations such as those found in Moses law, some have difficulty living with such freedom. (1.) 11, 12). If he be a good Christian, he does not, he dares not, do it from such a principle; and therefore we charitably conclude that to the Lord he does not regard it. a. Study Guide for Romans 14 by David Guzik Because they were sons of Abraham. 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. Romans 14 - God Likes it When We Think About Others A. Don't judge each other in doubtful things. But this is not all; and the objection of the Jew gives occasion for the apostle to bring out a fuller display of what God is. I worship the Lord all of the time, and every day is alike to me. Along with this he gathers testimonies from more than one prophet. Paul unerringly pinpoints the danger that was likely to arise. Romans 12:1-21 looks at the mutual duties of the saints. This maintains both the glory and the moral universality of Him who will justify the circumcision by faith, not law, and the uncircumcision through their faith, if they believe the gospel. to his own master he standeth or falleth. But on the same token, I can accept the fact that Christian's do smoke.Now, I appreciate your graciousness for not smoking around me. To illustrate this (Romans 14:11; Romans 14:11), he quotes a passage out of the Old Testament, which speaks of Christ's universal sovereignty and dominion, and that established with an oath: As I live (saith the Lord), every knee shall bow to me. But it will be asked, "Who feared God and worked righteousness, and who did not?" 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for . Paul's advice is very practical. But though he knew this, yet he goes on to say Romans 14:15 return to ' Jump List ' [Note: Moo, p. 2. Well, then, let that freedom be something between him and God. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. It is not a fragment of the Kingdom of Heaven; it is simply an earthbound society. The latter formula should not be taken as a mere appeal to the teaching of Christ in the days of his flesh (cf. This is levelled directly against the fault of each party. We have an account of our own to make up, and that is enough for us; let every man prove his own work (Galatians 6:4), state his own accounts, search his own heart and life; let this take up his thoughts, and he that is strict in judging himself and abasing himself will not be apt to judge and despise his brother. If the first book in the Bible showed that it was only the call of God that made Israel what they were, its second book as clearly proved that all was over with the called people, had it not been for the mercy of God. We live to glorify him in all the actions and affairs of life; we die, whether a natural or a violent death, to glorify him, and to go to be glorified with him. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus () that nothing is unclean in itself, () but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. The ground taken by a Jew for supposing God exclusively for Israel was, that they had the law, which was the measure of what God claimed from man; and this the Gentile had not. Let's look at what some of these are. We ought therefore to bear in mind, that if a soul be not brought into conscious deliverance as the fruit of divine teaching, and founded on the work of Christ, we are very far from presenting the gospel as the apostle Paul glories in it, and delights that it should go forth. Though bodily exercise alone profits little, yet, as it is guided by inward fear and reverence, it is accepted. It is grounded upon Christ's absolute sovereignty and dominion, which were the fruit and end of his death and resurrection. Naked we come into the world, and naked we leave it. The law demanded, but could never receive righteousness from man. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.". 2. And what led to the call of Abraham, of whom we hear much in the epistle to the Romans as elsewhere, was the departure of man into idolatry. Rosh Amana, c. 13. fol. 17.) There was no part of heathenism practically viewed now, so corrupting as that which had to do with the objects of its worship. No wonder, if souls confound the two things together, that they never know deliverance in practice. So for the other instance: He that eateth whatever is set before him, though it be blood, though it be swine's flesh, if it be food convenient for him, he eateth to the Lord. Time was when none of the English, nor French, nor of any other nation believed in the Saviour. Whosoever believed should not be ashamed; whosoever called should be saved. (i) We must avoid irritation. Here is the essence of the matter. There is no place where he can leave Christ behind, and there is nothing which he can do unseen. Yet that is not the whole truth. It remains a valuable resource for Christians seeking a deeper understanding of the Scriptures. Every mouth was stopped; the Jew by his own oracles, as the Gentile by their evident abominations, shown already. Paul has shown that judging each other in matters of opinion is wrong. Within the Church there was a narrower party and there was a more liberal party. It is here that you will find a great failure of Christendom as to this. This hope is built upon the power of God, for God is able to make him stand; and, being able, no doubt he is willing to exert that power for the preservation of those that are his own." Just before this Paul has been thinking of the impossibility of the isolated life. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. Christians should take heed of grieving one another, and of saddening the hearts of Christ's little ones. What about His word passed and sworn to the fathers? To one group of people a discussion might be an interesting and stimulating and mind-kindling experience, to someone else a succession of heresies, and even blasphemies. If the good news of God goes out to man, entirely blotting out the difference between a Jew and a Gentile, what becomes of His special promises to Abraham and to his seed? I can't believe it. This is laid down Romans 14:5; Romans 14:5, Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind; that is, "Practise according to your own judgment in these things, and leave others to do so too. Nevertheless the apostle does not expressly mention heaven here. You couldn't go out and buy a pack of cigarettes.
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