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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - Romans 14:1 - 14:1
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Rom 14:1-23. Same subject continued - Christian forbearance.
The subject here, and on to Rom 15:13, is the consideration due from stronger Christians to their weaker brethren; which is but the great law of love (treated of in the thirteenth chapter) in one particular form.
Him that is weak in the faith - rather, “in faith”; that is, not “him that is weak in the truth believed” [Calvin, Beza, Alford, etc.], but (as most interpreters agree), “him whose faith wants that firmness and breadth which would raise him above small scruples.” (See on Rom 14:22, Rom 14:23).
receive ye - to cordial Christian fellowship.
but not to doubtful disputations - rather, perhaps, “not to the deciding of doubts,” or “scruples;” that is, not for the purpose of arguing him out of them: which indeed usually does the reverse; whereas to receive him to full brotherly confidence and cordial interchange of Christian affection is the most effectual way of drawing them off. Two examples of such scruples are here specified, touching Jewish meats and days. “The strong,” it will be observed, are those who knew these to be abolished under the Gospel; “the weak” are those who had scruples on this point.