Romans,
Chapter 14
© Copyright 1998 Darroll Evans-all rights
reserved
Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith
receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
We are to accept and fellowship with those
Christians whom we perceive to be weak in faith.
Identical Christian theology is not the basis
for Christian fellowship.
Christian fellowship is based on our
relationship with Christ.
"Doubtful disputations" (Gr.
diakriseis dialogismoon-diahriseiV dialogismwn) speaks of judgment of thoughts.
I received a message concerning the word
"King" used in the Psalms.
The writer wanted me to comment on the lower
case k as opposed to the capitol K.
I wrote back that both came from the Hebrew
word "melek," and past that I had no comment.
But, he insisted that the English was the
true word of God and we had to search out the meanings.
So, I wrote that we were comparing apples and
oranges with no end in sight.
That is an example of a "doubtful
disputation."
In his mind, a translation took precedence
over the original language.
People can argue about the strangest things.
We are not to be involved in unnecessary
conflicts, mental or physical.
Romans 14:2-3
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth
herbs.
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.
This is one point that is difficult for many
Christian to accept. Faith is not "one size fits all."
Faith comes in all sorts of sizes and dimensions.
Faith is extremely personal and it is meant
to accomplish those things within us that God wants accomplished.
Paul uses food as an example. One person may
have a faith that allows him to eat many things.
Another may have a faith that allows him, in
all good conscience, to eat only vegetables.
Our dietary habits must never be the basis
for Christian fellowship.
We are to regard all Christians as brothers
and sisters in the faith.
Race, education, and social standing are
never determining factors in our love for one another.
John 13:35---"By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another." Since the days of Paul and
perhaps before, the Church has never lived up to that verse. John 13:35.
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.
Judgest (Gr. krinoon-krinwn) involves assuming censorial power over the one being
judged.
In that the judge renders an opinion much in
the way the U.S. Supreme court does, without benefit of a jury. The opinion
(judgment) may be beneficial or adverse.
Under God’s plan, those that do not
acknowledge Christ are self-judged to the detriment.
John 3:18 "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but
he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the
name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Able (Gr. dunatos-dunatoV) speaks of God’s ability, and power.
Never lose sight of the fact that God is God!
Stand (Gr. steesai-stsai) means establish.
The KJV, Romans 14:4, does not lend itself to modern understanding.
The verse ends by literally saying, "God
is able to establish him."
Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above
another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in
his own mind.
Some Christians worship on Sunday, while
others are Sabbatarian Christians.
I may make some angry, but there is
absolutely no biblical mandate to worship on Sunday.
Most Christians believe that all of the Ten
Commandments are in force, EXCEPT the fourth.
That is a false concept.
When Paul wrote, "Let every man be fully
persuaded in his own mind," he was not attempting to condone sin.
Romans 14:6 He that regardeth the day,
regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he
doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God
thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God
thanks.
This verse deals with opinions.
In some of his writings, Paul gave his
opinion---and told us so.
Here, he tells us that we too can have
opinions.
It is my opinion that he was not referring to
the Sabbath in this context.
As Christians, most of us do not celebrate
the day of Pentecost, even though a case may be made for that day being the
actual birthday of the Church.
We celebrate Easter instead of the actual
date, Passover.
That is due to opinion.
Whether you are Sabbatarian or
non-Sabbatarian, Christ died for you!
Romans 14:7 For none of us liveth to
himself, and no man dieth to himself.
This verse is a precursor to the next.
Romans 14:8 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.
We, Christians, live to honor Christ.
Our death, to self, also honors Christ.
Knowing that God expects certain moral
teachings to be our standard, we live for the Lord.
Whether we live or die, Christ Jesus paid the
price for us and we are the His.
As we look at the statistics for out of
wedlock births, we can easily understand that far too many Churches do not teach morality!
Churches are to teach Christ and His grace
without failing to teach biblical morality.
Churches that do not teach biblical morality
are not Churches!
They may be social or political gatherings,
but they are not Churches of Jesus Christ!
Churches that teach people to ignore God’s
Law are not Churches!
It is the Law, the Ten, that are taught to
bring us to Christ and His grace.
Churches that ignore moral teaching may be
social or political gatherings, but they are not Churches of
Jesus Christ!
Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ both
died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
Christ died to bring about our fellowship
with the Father.
He died and rose again to prove to all
humanity that JESUS IS LORD.
When we acknowledge Christ as Lord, it does
not alter His position at all.
Confession alters our position.
Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy
brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand
before the judgment seat of Christ.
Again, Paul returns to judgment.
He does not say that we should not judge, but
he questions our ability to judge brothers and sister in the faith.
Judgment is based in having a clear eye to
see how to judge.
Godly judgment can only be achieved when we
are able to see clearly (Matthew 7:1-5).
When Paul says, "we shall all stand
before the judgment seat of Christ," he is speaking of all people.
You may have been told that this is a
reference to Christians only, but God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) shall
judge us all.
Judgment is not totally negative.
Those for whom Christ died shall be judged
innocent by reason of Christ’s scourging and death.
They have become His “purchased possession”
(Ephesians 1:14).
Being in a consuming fire may not necessarily
be a bad thing.
God Himself is a Consuming Fire.
Deuteronomy 4:24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a
jealous God.
Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live,
saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to
God.
This is a reference to Isaiah---chapter 49.
Did you know Romans 14:11 is in the Bible?
As very good commentary, The Liberty
Commentary on the New Testament (Copyright © 1978, Old-Time Gospel Hour)
completely ignores it.
I wonder how many others ignore the truth,
because it does not fit their theology.
"Shall confess" (Gr.
exomologeesetai-exomologhsetai) speaks of acknowledgment and open confession of sin.
Confession results in forgiveness!
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Some may argue that the Greek words
translated "shall bow" and "shall confess" are both future
indicative.
That is true and seems to be a good point
until we understand the indicative tense.
The indicative tense is used to tell what the
author thinks shall happen.
Paul may be the writer (scribe), but the Holy
Spirit is the Author!
Others may say that 1 John 1:9 is a
"Christians only" verse.
How are "we" saved?
"We" confess our sins and He
cleanses us!
1 John 1:9 was written to all people.
There is a theological with this verse and
the attending verses in Philippians.
1
Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you
to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus
accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy
Ghost. (KJV)
It is obvious that under the direction of the
Holy Spirit, none may be led to declare Jesus cursed.
But, this verse goes on to tell us that it is
impossible to (from the Spirit of truth) declared that Jesus is Lord unless we
are led to do so by the Holy Spirit.
The reason that is a problem is that every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall
confess to God!
The implication is
that at some point in time all shall come under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit.
Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall
give account of himself to God.
There are no exceptions to this rule!
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.
Let me address something that is
controversial.
It is clear in the Bible that God does not
condone infanticide!
Those that love God cannot condone or support those that practice or condone
abortion.
If you live in a nation that freely elects
governmental officials, you cannot
vote for killers of unborn children.
To do so puts you in opposition to God!
If every four years, your Church turns its
pulpit over to a supporter of legalized abortion, find another Church---one
that follows Christ, not social sin as the basis for their beliefs.
If you, as a Pastor, have done this sin
against God and humanity---REPENT!
Turn from the condemnation of abortion, and
be reconciled to God.
In this case, stumblingblocks are sins!
If we sin, and shout “grace,” the world
considers Christ as one that condones sin.
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” (Gr. koinon-koinon) may refer to things that are ritually unclean in the
Levitical sense, or it may mean to be held in common.
Christians may live under the Law of the
Spirit, but the Holy Spirit will never lead us in a manner in opposition to the
Ten.
We do not live under the OT Levitical law.
But, we are not free from all Law.
Christians are not lawless.
Even many Christians misunderstand our
liberty.
Let me give this example of Levitical law in
Christianity: The Seventh Day Adventists follow certain dietary rules.
Those rules are followed because of health
concerns and not as a requirement for salvation.
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.
When I eat meals with Adventists, I eat what
I am served and am thankful for it.
To argue over a type meat or lack of meat is
ridiculous!
Besides, I enjoy meatless steamed or cooked
vegetable meals.
I also enjoy meals containing meats.
I grew up in the Baptist denomination. Among
Baptists, fellowship means food.
That "birthright" presents a
problem.
There are far too many good cooks in the
Baptist Churches.
My dietary rules are summed up in this: Pray
over it and eat whatever is set before you.
Romans 14:16-18
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and
approved of men.
Don’t let what God gave for your benefit
become a stumblingblock for others.
Just because we live under grace, we do not
have license to flaunt grace.
The
It is
righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
That is a plain straightforward concept.
If we serve Christ correctly all the rest
will fall into place.
Romans 14:19-21
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things
wherewith one may edify another.
20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it
is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby
thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
"Let us follow" (Gr. diookoomen-diwkwmen) actually means, "Let us pursue."
God may control the events, but Christianity
is proactive.
“Pure” (Gr. kathara-kaqara) reflects cleanliness in the physical, Levitical and
ethical sense.
However, in verse 21, we find that we are
"made weak" (Gr. asthenei- asqenei), or
spiritually impotent if we act in opposition to our conscience.
Until the Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us,
we are working in opposition to God.
Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to
thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which
he alloweth.
“Condemneth not” (Gr. mee krinoon-mh krinwn) speaks of negative judgment.
God does not need our self-condemnation.
God does not condemn those of the
faith---even if it is a weak faith.
That is Satan’s job.
Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is
damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of
faith is sin.
Doubt is the opposite of faith.
If we are mature in faith, all doubt has been
expunged, and we act according to faith.
Walking by faith and walking by sight are
opposed to one another.
The mature Christian cannot judge what he/she
does by faith according to what he understands by humanly acquired knowledge.