Romans 14
by Pastor David Groendyk

This chapter is very much similar to the same issue Paul addressed in 1 Corinthians 8–9. There are two groups of people in mind. One is those who are “strong in faith”; the other is those who are “weak in faith”. Those who are weak in faith still held to some of the former Jewish laws that had been abolished, such as certain foods being unclean and certain days or festivals that must be kept. Their consciences bound them, and they thought it would be sinful not to keep these Jewish laws. The strong in faith recognized the freedom they had and that they were no longer bound. What does Paul say to each of these groups?

To the strong, Paul says make sure that those who are weak in faith are welcomed in your midst, and not just so that you have an opportunity to debate and fight with them (v. 1). Do not despise the one who is weak (v. 3), because when the weak do what they do, they are doing it in honor of the Lord (v. 6). Moreover, do not cause one who is weak to stumble by forcing them to adhere to your own standards (v. 13). Remember that those who are weak are bound by their consciences, and if they go against their consciences, it is sin for them. If you cause a weaker brother or sister to go against their conscience, you are causing them to sin, destroying their faith, and bringing about judgment on yourself (vv. 15, 22). In a country where we are blessed with many freedoms and value individual liberty highly, this is a countercultural message. Individual freedom should never be prioritized over loving others and laying down your life for them.

To the weak, Paul has one main command that he repeats multiple times: do not judge the strong (vv. 3, 10). Especially in the context of this chapter, these issues will have no bearing on whether or not a believer is delivered and saved on the final day of judgment. It can be easy when you feel as though you’re doing a better job than everyone else of obeying God to become haughty, look down on others, and stand in the place of God over them. The weak must bear in mind that everyone will face the judgment seat of God one day and will only be held accountable to him and what his Word says. Yes, the weak must follow their consciences, but they must also do whatever they can to be sure that their consciences are being bound according to what Scripture teaches.

To everyone, Paul says that your life is not your own but belongs to the Lord (v. 7), and the citizens of the kingdom of the Lord ought to seek peace and mutual edification above all else (v. 19). It takes a great deal of maturity and holiness to be bold enough to rebuke open and obvious sin, but it also takes a great deal of maturity and holiness to be gentle and humble and peaceable in the face of minor disagreements. The only issues that should ever divide the church are issues that strike at the very vitals of the gospel message. Foods and holy days do not. What issues are facing the church now where some believers are bound by their conscience while other believers are exercising freedom? What would it look like for the church to put these exhortations from Paul into practice?