Romans Part 43 – Romans 14:1-9
Verse 1
• “Him that is weak in the faith” – The one that is weak here is weak in the faith and not in the flesh. The one abstaining and keeping is the one weak in the faith because he has lack of knowledge of the mystery – 1Cor 8:4-8,
• “receive ye” – Just because one is weak doesn’t mean we kick them out of our assembly, the purpose of the church is to edify on another – 1Cor 14:12, Eph 4:29, 1Thess 5:11,
• “but not to doubtful disputations” – Not judging a mans thoughts or conscience – 1Cor 8:7-13, 1Cor 10:24-33.
• Remember the context of Romans and how you had Jews and Gentiles mixed.
• This verse does not mean we don’t talk about doctrine in the church or dispute with others over the truth – Acts 15:2,7, Acts 17:16-17, Gal 2:11-16.
• This is not talking about letting a weak in the faith brother be a teacher and teach his weakness to a congregation especially if it goes against clear teaching.
• We have to be able to discern what weakness in a brother can be excused and what weakness needs to be addressed. Not every weakness needs to be corrected in a brother but rather they need sound, contextual, biblical teaching that will, in time, correct their beliefs.
Verse 2-4
• “For one believeth that he may eat all things” – 1Tim 4:1-4, 1Cor 10:29-30.
• “another, who is weak, eateth herbs” – Maybe they think we should be under the doctrine of the garden of Eden? – Gen 1:29-30. Or they were scared to eat any meat bought in Gentile cities because it may have been first offered in sacrifice to idols.
• “vs 3” - Do not judge one another over matters of conscience when God has received both.
• “vs 4” – The brethren are not our servants, but Gods. And we will all answer to God. This is contrary to the Catholics papal system.
• “God is able to make him stand” We will not make our brethren stand but God. Again, it is only sound biblical teaching that will strengthen the weaker brother.
Verse 5-9
• “One man esteemeth one day above another, another esteemeth everyday alike” – The weaker brethren is the one who esteems one day above another – Col 2:16, Gal 4:9-11.
• “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” – Again the context is important. Keep certain days and abstaining from certain meats was once required by God, but no longer is.
• Verse 5 does not mean you believe what you want and I believe what I want – Matt 16:1-12, Rom 16:17, 1Tim 1:3, Eph 4:14.
• “vs 6” – Its about motive, why you do what you do should be done unto the Lord. As long as it is not prohibited by scripture and done with a pure conscience.
• “vs 7-8” – We don’t live to ourselves. The common ground between the weak and the strong brother is that “we are the Lord’s” – Eph 4:25, 5:30, 1Cor 12:12-13.
• “vs 9” – Christ is Lord of all, he is the Lord of the dead because he will resurrect them – Matt 22:23-32.
