Romans 14:1-8

 

Rom 14:1 (KJV)
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

This verse is addressed to those who are more mature in the faith that we are to receive those who are weak or better yet, those who do not fully understand or are still on the milk of the word. We are to accept these brethren in the faith since they are also blood bought Christians and there are always going to be Christians on different spiritual levels. We are to receive these brethren so we may help mature them in the faith. The word “receive” carries with it the meaning of “take along or take aside.” We must always remember that one time we were all weak in the faith and somebody was there to help mature us. Now we are not to accept them so we may judge the thoughts and intents of their hearts since God is the only one who can know this. Therefore, it behooves us to accept them with the purpose of helping them grow in the faith and to help them avoid erroneous teaching. New Christians are always vulnerable to false teachings and that is where the maturity of seasoned believers come in to help steer them to the correct teachings.

Rom 14:2 (KJV)
For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

There are always going to be differing opinions in Christianity. Here we read that some will believe it is okay to eat any kind of foods. There were certain foods listed in the law that were considered unclean and Jews were forbidden from eating those foods. When the Lord saved some of them, they then realized that because of Grace they no longer had to keep the dietary laws and were able to eat those things which were formerly considered unclean. Then there are those who believed that God placed those unclean animals in the law for a reason and now it could be considered for our health. As we have today, some believe it is okay to eat meat while some will avoid meat and eat only vegetables and fruits. So the diets of Christians should never be a cause of contention between Christians. If one chooses to eat meats or if one chooses to eat only vegetables, each group is just as blood bought as the other.

Rom 14:3 (KJV)
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.

Therefore, since the dietary laws no longer are in effect, except for health reasons, then neither group should condemn the other for their diets. God has accepted both groups based on the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ and not on the actions related to their diets. Some of the weaker Christians were probably still obeying the dietary laws in the law and this may have become a bone of contention in the Roman church. So what is being said here is that all Christians, no matter what diet they eat, are all accepted on the merit of the Lord Jesus Christ. This must have been a divisive issue in the Roman church because the word “despise” carries with it the meaning of “disdain or make of no account.” This problem may have split the Roman church if it wasn’t halted in its early stages.

Rom 14:4 (KJV)
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.

Here a cutting question is asked about who are thou to judge another’s servant? This question was not asked for the purpose of helping the other Christian but it was asked because the contention was probably so great that severe condemnations were probably being leveled at each group by the other group. Paul is making the statement here that if God’s servants are wrong in their diets, then God will bring them the truth and will mature them in this area. Obviously, the same situation occurred here as it did in Corinth. Christians may have been buying foods that were dedicated to false gods and since the Bible teaches that false gods are no gods, many were eating without conscience. Yet, the conscience of the opposite group was being affected which probably caused the division. Paul is stating here that God is in control and will remedy the situation with His own servants. Each servant stands before his master and before him the servant will either fall or stand. If the child of God falls, then God is able to restore him and cause him to stand once again.

Rom 14:5 (KJV)
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

We see this situation in our own time. There are Christians who celebrate Christmas and Easter, and there are those Christians who will not partake in them because they deem them pagan holidays. If a person is persuaded about something in their mind properly according to the Scriptures, then unless they can be biblically refuted, then they should be left alone in their beliefs. Whether a Christian celebrates Christmas or they do not, should not be a point of contention which can lead to a major division in the church or in individual lives.

Rom 14:6 (KJV)
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.

Let us continue the thought from verse 5. A Christian who celebrates Christmas and Easter may do so for the purpose of using it as a testimony of the Gospel because these are the only two times in a year that unbelievers become a little religious and Christians can capitalize on it by using these days as evangelistic tools. The ones who do not celebrate them, may tell others that these are pagan festivals and that Christians should not celebrate anything linked to pagan festivals. Do you see how both views can be used to the glory of God? That is why there should be no divisions in the body over these matters since both sides can capitalize on them for witnessing purposes. It is the same thing with food, there are Christians who eat questionable foods yet see it as coming from the hand of the Lord and therefore they are thankful for those provisions. The one who is weak continues to eat the herbs and gives thanks for those herbs since he knows that is from the hand of God that those herbs come from. The one who does not eat certain foods, does not eat those foods unto the Lord. In other words, as the one who eats those questionable foods eats them unto the Lord, those who do not eat those questionable foods are not eating them unto the Lord. If there is a steak and a vegetable platter on the table and two Christians approach that table, one who eats steak will take the steak but the one who eats vegetables will take the vegetable platter. So if I believe that we should not be eating meat, then I would not be eating the steak unto the honor of the Lord. There is obedience in both camps in the realm of food.

Rom 14:7 (KJV)
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Here is a statement directed specifically at the believer. Since we are the redeemed of Christ, none of us live our lives independent of Christ and none of us die independent of Christ. Sometimes we may think we are our own entities but that does not coincide with what the Scriptures teach. We belong to Christ both in life and in death. There is no such thing as an autonomous Christian.

Rom 14:8 (KJV)
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.

If we continue to live in this world, then while we are here we belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. If we die, we die unto the Lord Jesus Christ. So no matter how you view it, we belong to Christ both in life and in death. That means we are His totally in every situation, every moment of the day.