14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Using the same Greek word first found in Romans 2:1 (‘krīnō’, used eight times in this chapter alone), Paul returns to the subject of judging others. In this chapter and a portion of the following chapter, Paul discusses those that might be identified as being less-than-mature Christians (that have either recently accepted Jesus as their Savior or those that have not grown in Christ, sadly some choose to remain weak in faith) and how more-mature believers should interact with them. First, Paul wants the ‘seasoned’ believer to welcome those that might be weak in faith (Christians should not form cliques). He also wants them to not quarrel over opinions (Greek ‘dialogismoú’, thoughts and directions, in context this likely pertains to theological opinions). As discussed, several times in this commentary, the issue of improper interpretation can be misleading and dangerous (leading away from Jesus), however, there are some theological errors that are not necessarily hazardous to one’s salvation, many of which are just unnecessary. Paul uses the “acceptable food versus unacceptable food” argument as one example (a carryover from Old Testament law), as one believes that they can (and therefore do) eat any food and the other eats only vegetables. He explains that neither one is allowed to pass judgment on the other, as both are accountable to Jesus and He alone will decide.
Does that mean that a Christian should remain quiet regarding the actions of another believer? No, they are to lovingly teach and equip others through the Word of God (see Ephesians 4:12-13; Colossians 3:16-17; Romans 15:14). Mentors are also to come along the side of new believers and guide them through example (see 2 Timothy 2:2; Hebrews 13:7). So, what is Paul warning against doing here? First, not to be smug or prideful about your knowledge of the Bible. Secondly, don’t think too highly of yourself, in Christianity there is no “higher calling,” we are all redeemed sinners, no one is greater than another.
14:5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
Paul continues the discussion regarding potential arguments between believers using another misunderstanding from the law, namely how some days may be considered more sacred than others. He compares how one might think that one day (like the Sabbath or one of the festival days) is greater than another, while the other believes that each day is alike with none being special. With both being convinced their perspective is correct, one observes the day in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, does so giving honor to the Lord, as he gives thanks to God. The one who abstains, also gives honor to the Lord, giving thanks to God. Paul in his epistle to the church in Colossae clarifies, “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.” (Colossians 2:16). It is clear that both the weak in faith and the mature Christian are honoring Jesus in their actions. Paul then states that no believer lives to himself, and none dies to himself. When a believer lives, they live for the Lord, if they die, they die for the Lord. “So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.” (Romans 14:8b-9, NLT)
But what if these practices become like a crutch and the weak in faith become more legalistic? This is a valid concern, as legalism can be defined as the ‘religion’ of human achievement, focusing on the ‘what’ you do, instead of the motivation of why you are doing it. God cannot be served through ritualism nor anything else that is not from our hearts, as it takes our eyes off of Jesus. Legalism requires people to conform to man-made rules and rituals (or those ordained by God in the past). As Christians, we are ‘complete’ in Christ, He did all the work, having fulfilled the law, providing complete salvation, complete forgiveness and complete victory for each believer. There is nothing that we can do to add to something that is already complete. However, if a believer understands that they cannot add nor perform any ritual for their salvation, that their actions are nothing more than a way to honor God with nothing expected in return, we are not to judge regarding what someone eats or drinks, nor judge regarding the day of the week or if someone wishes to participate in an Old Testament festival.
The issue of retaining the desire to continue compliance with the law was a hindrance to both a Christian’s spiritual growth and to evangelism as those practices begin to eclipse the gospel message. Many of the earlier churches struggled with those that are often referred to as Judaizers (see Galatians 2:14, people who insisted that keeping the law, especially the practice of circumcision, was required for salvation). The church at Galatia may have had the most difficulty, as Paul clearly spoke against in his epistle to that church.
14:10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Paul inquires as to why one would be motivated to judge a fellow believer, could it be that they despise the person? He reminds us that all believers will stand before the judgment seat. The Greek word translated as “judgment seat” is ‘bēma’, something very different than the “Great White Throne” described in Revelation 20:11-15 to judge non-believers. This ‘bēma’ is the location where Christians will be judged, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) Not to be judged for entry to heaven, but to receive rewards (see Psalm 62:12; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15) for their obedience and involvement in growing the kingdom. Jesus will be the judge as He knows the heart of each individual, we are not qualified to judge nor capable of reading a person’s heart. If someone seems to be heading towards legalism, instead of judging, a Christian needs to learn how to lovingly admonish and teach. Paul also wrote, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)
Not only will all Christians be required to give an account of their lives to God, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10b-11, both this verse and Romans 14:11 reflect the wording of Isaiah 45:23) Sadly, that confession will come too late for salvation for those who rejected the gospel message.
Do Not Cause Another Believer to Stumble
14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 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. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Paul now clearly instructs believers to stop passing judgment on fellow believers, as that behavior can be potential stumbling blocks (Greek ‘próskomma’, an obstacle that causes one to stumble) or a hindrance (Greek ‘skándalon’, a trigger used in a trap that results in entrapment) that could result in either minimizing or preventing a Christian’s Spiritual growth.
Regarding food eaten, Paul proclaims that in the Lord Jesus, nothing would be considered unclean. But he also recognizes that if a person thinks something is unclean, then to them it is unclean. So, if they see a fellow Christian eating or drinking something that they believe to be wrong (unclean), it could cause them to grieve and ultimately cause them to stumble, a behavior that Paul considers to be unloving. Christians are not to let something permissible be the cause of something potentially evil that can cause a fellow believer to stumble in their faith. He points out that, “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Whoever serves Jesus in that manner (living a life of righteousness, peace and joy), they are acceptable to God and have the approval of others as well. The goal is to, “aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.” (Romans 14:19b, NLT) This means that every Christian is to be aware of what they are doing in public and understand that they may be being observed. This is still a valid concern today, especially when associated with the consumption of alcohol.
14:20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Paul reiterates that everything is indeed clean and proper to consume and emphasizes again that Christians should not destroy the work of God over any issue regarding improper food or drink. When the epistles were written it was common for establishments to serve meat that was once offered to idols, that even though “an idol has no real existence” (see 1 Corinthians 8:4), some Christians believed that the meat was then defiled (see Acts 15:28-29; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13). Paul is asking that those who have the stronger faith and know all food is acceptable to God, to keep that between them and God during these situations. He further acknowledges that one is blessed when they don’t put themselves in a situation that they could be later judged for. Then regarding the one concerned about eating something that they are not sure they should be eating and then proceeds to eat it anyway, Paul calls that a sin. The New Living Translation says, “If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.” (Romans 14:23b, NLT) Which is essentially the inverse of what James taught, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:17) If you do something you believe is wrong or fail to do what you believe is right, it’s a sin either way.