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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Romans 14
Verse Commentaries:
Chapter Level Commentary:
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary ,which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS ON Rom_14:1-12
A. This chapter tries to balance the paradox of Christian freedom and responsibility. The literary unit runs through Rom_15:13.
B. The problem which precipitated this chapter was possibly the tension between Gentile and Jewish believers in the church of Rome (or possibly Paul's current experience in Corinth). Before conversion the Jews tended to be legalistic and the pagans tended to be immoral. Remember, this chapter is addressed to sincere followers of Jesus. This chapter does not address carnal believers (cf. 1Co_3:1). The highest motive is ascribed to both groups. There is danger in the extremes on both sides. This discussion is not a license for nit-picking legalism or flaunting liberalism.
Remember that Paul wrote Romans from Corinth. The problem there was a party spirit, but here there were different types of believers.
C. Believers must be careful not to make their theology or ethics the standard for all other believers (cf. 2Co_10:12). All believers must walk in the light they have but understand that their theology is not automatically God's theology. All believers are still affected by sin. We must encourage, exhort, and teach one another from the Scriptures, reason, and experience, but always in love. The more one knows the more one knows he does not know (cf. 1Co_13:12)!
D. One's attitude and motives before God are the real keys in evaluating other believers' actions. Christians will stand before Christ to be judged on how they treated one another (cf. Rom_14:10; Rom_14:12 and 2Co_5:10).
E. Martin Luther said, "A Christian man is a most free Lord of all, subject to none; the Christian man is a most dutiful servant of all, subject to all." Biblical truth is often presented in a tension-filled paradox.
F. This difficult but crucial subject is dealt with in the entire literary unit of Rom_14:1 to Rom_15:13 and also in 1 Corinthians 8-10 and Col_2:8-23. A helpful book for me in this area is Gordon Fee and douglas Stuart, How To Read the Bible For All Its Worth, pp. 75-86.
G. However, it needs to be stated that pluralism among sincere believers is not a bad thing. Each believer has strengths and weaknesses. Each must walk in the light he/she has, always open to the Spirit and the Bible for more light. In this period of seeing through a glass darkly (1Co_13:8-13) one must walk in love (Rom_14:15) and peace (Rom_14:17; Rom_14:19) for mutual edification.
H. The titles "stronger" and "weaker" which Paul gives to these groups prejudices them to us. This was certainly not Paul's intent. Both groups were sincere believers. We are not to attempt to mold other Christians into ourselves! We accept one another in Christ!
I. The entire argument could be outlined as
1. accept one another because God accepts us in Christ (cf. Rom_14:1; Rom_14:3; Rom_15:7);
2. do not judge one another because Christ is our only Master and Judge (cf. Rom_14:3-12);
3. love is more important than personal freedom (cf. Rom_14:13-23);
4. follow Christ's example and lay down your rights for others' edification & good (cf. Rom_15:1-13).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Describe the "weaker" brother? Does Paul imply they are immature?
2. How does Christian freedom relate to Christian responsibility?
3. Is everything in nature "clean" or morally neutral (Rom_14:14; Rom_14:20)?
4. Why was the question of food so important at Corinth (cf. 1 Corinthians 8, 10), remember Paul wrote Romans from Corinth?
5. Explain the relationship between knowledge, freedom, and love in this chapter.
6. On what should we base fellowship in the church?
7. On what do we base our individual choices and actions?
8. How do our actions affect others? What does this demand of us?
9. How do we determine proper Christian ethics?
10. Is it possible for mature Christians to disagree and both be acceptable to God?