Beauty in the Book: Romans 14
Themes
Using the topics of food, drink, and sacred days as illustrations, Paul describes how Christians are to refrain from judging others when their grey-area convictions land in different places. Explore themes of Christian freedom, church interactions, and true kingdom values.
Questions
This chapter addresses the following questions:
How am I to respond when a fellow Christian thinks something is wrong, but I don’t? (Or, what if they are comfortable with something that I’m not okay with?)
What role does my own personal conscience play in my Christian walk?
How can I live to please God in areas that aren’t black-and-white?
Moving Forward
This writing will break down the chapter section-by-section, offering commentary for your reflection. Don’t miss the ending titled Beauty in the Book where it all gets wrapped up in a bow—highlighting how every chapter is woven with uplifting realities of God’s goodness and grace.
Romans 14:1-3
While there are some subtle implications in this passage for what the life of the individual Christian may or may not involve—regarding eating meat or observing particular days—the focus in this passage is less about what we do and more about how we relate to fellow believers who view things differently than we do.
There are three categories at play:
The Weak, Judgmental One: This person feels conflicted about certain things, questioning if God is displeased with them for their actions. They judge and resent those who partake freely in the things they feel conflicted about.
The Strong, Contemptuous One: This person feels no conflicting feelings about their actions and believes they stand right with the Lord. They treat those weaker in faith with scorn, looking down on them.
The Surrendered, Accepting One: Paul invites both groups to understand that the Lord accepts us, and we are to accept others regardless of where they’re at in their faith. This group surrenders judgment to God, knowing that he is the only one worth answering to.
The beautiful thing about people’s lives being transformed by the Lord, is that whether they lean any particular way—generally partaking or abstaining—by the work of the Spirit, they may grow in acceptance of the one who views things differently, cultivating unity in the body of Christ.
Regarding the varied levels of faith in the church, I love how David Guzik describes weakness in his Enduring Word Bible Commentary. Check out this quote:
“There are many reasons why a Christian might be weak.
· They may be a babe in Christ (babies are weak).
· They may be sick or diseased (by legalism).
· They may be malnourished (by lack of good teaching).
· They may lack exercise (needing exhortation).”
While there are many reasons for spiritual weakness, it’s important to note that a person’s weakness doesn’t disqualify them from being loved and accepted into the family of God.
Weak faith is still faith, and as they sort through and grow in their comprehension of God’s mercy, we are to extend welcoming arms that display God’s prevalent grace, not hold them at arm’s length with a cold rejection misrepresentative of the heart of God.
Regarding the strong, it’s almost as if Paul is enticing them to use their strength—not just to partake freely in that which they are allowed by God—but to extend to others the same free acceptance they themselves have received.
A similar topic is covered in the book of Galatians—specifically in chapter five if you want to explore further. This next verse sums it up well:
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13 NIV
For those who are strong in faith and in an understanding of their Christian freedom—with all their choices, they are to choose to be willing servants who build up those around them. Not bound as slaves, but serving as beloved children and members of the family.
It’s not that the Lord disregards weakness or doesn’t desire for people to be strengthened; it’s just that a person’s strength or weakness isn’t a contingency for acceptance. In fact, God has equipped the church—in accordance with his grace—all the tools required for people to come to maturity in the faith. This task however, is to be garnered in peace and unity.
As Ephesians 4:3 calls believers to “make every effort for unity in the Spirit through the bond of peace”, we are to pursue maturity in faith with peace at the forefront. Perhaps this is why the emphasis Paul offers here is on acceptance amidst differences rather than the specific differences themselves.
All of Ephesians 4 is beneficial on this topic of maturity in the faith. Take a moment to comb through it, taking special note of how grace, love, and unity play a vital role in maturity:
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4, NIV
Equipping in faith is a spiritual gift from God, accomplished through the body of Christ by the means of love. When we come down on each other with contempt and judgement—as described in these opening verses of Romans 14—we are neglecting the royal law for which we were intended as God’s holy people: to love one another deeply, from the heart. (1 Peter 1:22)
Romans 14:4
Romans 14:4 is a powerful, humbling verse that reminds us what our role is—and what our role isn’t. Our job is to live our lives submitted to an audience of one. We are to keep God’s judgement in mind as we seek to walk out obedience to all he calls us to as believers in the faith.
Our role is not to judge others. It’s entirely out of place.
In this short section, we see both God’s perfect judgement and incredible mercy walking hand-in-hand. His judgement, because he is the only one worthy to assess us with clarity and truth. His mercy, because he alone is able to make us stand on our judgement day.
It is because of God’s love, Christ’s sacrifice, and the work of the Holy Spirit that we are both labeled eternally righteous through justification, and being made righteous through sanctification.
If this is the steadfast grace with which we are met with in the Lord, who are we to tear down fellow believers, and recipients of this glorious grace?
It reminds me of what we read way back in Romans 2 about judging others. God’s kindness perseveres in his judgement. We, however, are faulty and unworthy judges. We are better to pass judgment over to the mercy of God—the only Holy and Righteous One.
Here’s Romans 2:1-4 on the matter:
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:1-4 NIV
God is the only appropriate judge because his judgement is rooted in absolute truth. And blessed are we that his perfect judgement is matched only by his perfect kindness.
Romans 14:5-6
As believers in Jesus, we have stepped “out of the darkness and into God’s glorious light”, as 1 Peter 2:9 so beautifully puts it.
All that we do, we seek to do in light of Jesus—living purely before him, eager to please him, and choosing to love him. Which is why that sometimes, it’s less about what we do and more about the heart with which we do it.
Like a parent who has grace for their toddling child—sometimes in step, sometimes out of step—but who who delights in every ounce of their sincere attempts at obedience, so God values his servant who genuinely seeks to please him with every move they make.
This isn’t to say we aren’t to learn and discern God’s ways, growing in wisdom and maturity along the way, but the greater lesson is that for every bit of black-and-white wisdom we attain, there is going to be a whole lot more of grey areas. These are the circumstances in which we are to allow the Lord to search our hearts as we aim to please him the best we can, in accordance with our furthest understanding.
We may be strong in faith, or weak in faith, but may we always aim to love the Lord with the entirety of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:30)
Romans 14:7-9
The divine reality described to be at play here is worth leaning into: there is no height, width, or depth that could separate us from all Jesus is for us:
I’m reminded of the truth relayed in Romans 8:38-39:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Death can’t keep us from the love of God, found in Jesus.
The full span of life can’t keep us from the love of God, found in Jesus.
No angel. No demon. No powers. No height, depth, or anything else! If such is the case, surely our choice to partake or abstain in a particular meat or holiday isn’t going to forbade us from Christ’s love!
The word that keeps standing out to me here is “Lord”. That’s what Jesus is for us. Christ died and came to life so that he might be “the Lord” for us, fully and completely.
Let’s explore further what exactly this role entails:
Lord, krios, κύριος:
the one to whom a person belongs
that which has the power of deciding
the owner or master
the one with ultimate control
the supreme ruler
a title of respect or reverence, given to a master from their servant
God’s title/the Messiah’s title!
(Definition summarized/paraphrased from blueletterbible.org.)
Here’s what I think is pretty groovy about this whole definition… it drives home the idea that we were always meant to live our lives in focus of what Jesus thinks about things. He is meant to be the one we aim to please in our decision making. He is the one we are to serve. He is the one we belong to. And he is the only worthy judge.
We aren’t intended to look to the right or to the left, but to look up. To live vertically (not horizontally). He gave everything to be our Lord. May our gaze remain fixed steadfastly on him.
Romans 14:10-12
A natural segue from describing Jesus as the one who is to be rightfully called Lord—master, ruler, powerful one—Paul asks his listeners why they are treating one another with contempt and judgement.
The people had been putting themselves on a ruling seat never intended for them. As Paul continues,
“…we will all stand before God’s judgment seat”. Romans 15:10 NIV (my underline added)
It is out of place for us to step into the position of either judgement (for the one who partakes in things) or contempt (for the one who abstains). (Romans 14:3)
I took a moment to dig into those words—to judge or to treat with contempt, as worded in the NIV—and I wanted to offer a simple explanation.
To “judge” is to condemn or pick someone apart. To “treat with contempt” is to write them off as nothing. One is too involved in another’s choices. The other disregards a person completely.
Neither of these are the balance we are to strike in Jesus. We are to walk the path of love, not appraising our neighbor, but not despising them either.
Paul taps into just how we are to treat others in the church in verses ahead.
Romans 14:13-15
Rather than devaluing others around us—disregarding their thoughts, judgement calls, or feelings—we are actually to regard others highly through-and-through.
It seems I can’t go more than a few chapters without nestling back into Christ’s humility as depicted in Philippians 2, and this section is no exception.
See here the Christian call to regard others significantly:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
Playing it out with illustrations, Paul says that when we encounter someone who feels conflicted about partaking in a certain food or event, rather than treating them with contempt—or dishonoring their view—we are to humble ourselves and actually commit to not putting a stumbling block in their way, or encouraging them to take an action that, in their heart, they feel would be sinning against the Lord.
In verses 13-14, Paul discusses why a food would be outlawed for someone based on their own conscience, but then in verse 15, he takes it a step further and describes how—if a person is conflicted about what another is eating, it is advisable for that person to abstain as well.
This is humble, others-focused love in action. This is what it means for a Christians to use his freedom to love, as described in Galatians 5:13.
Romans 14:16-21
Depending on your translation, verse 16 might sound like a plot twist. Here’s how it reads in the NIV Bible:
Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. Romans 14:16 NIV
This isn’t an encouragement (after calling believers to lay their rights down) to then dig their heels in and not let certain things “be spoken of as evil”.
But rather, I believe it’s the encouragement to not let the name of Christian freedom be tarnished for the sake of a meal. To not stubbornly hold fast to getting one’s way, and in doing so, cause one’s faith to be spoken against.
After all, as Paul continues, life in the Spirit isn’t about doing what it takes to get one’s own way, but rather it’s about pursuing what leads to joy, peace, and mutual edification.
The word “edification” is simply described in the Apple Dictionary as this: “the instruction or improvement of a person morally or intellectually”.
We are to seek actions that help a person be built up to do what they believe is right (morals). For the Christian, this is to do what we believe is right in God’s eyes—to serve Jesus as our one and only master. May we help those around us to live in order to please the Lord as their number one.
We already referenced Ephesians 4 in this section, but 4:3 is worth revisiting:
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3 NIV
In the church, the operation of the Holy Spirit is a divine mystery—perhaps the most fascinating part of that mystery is that God chooses to appoint supernatural work of the Holy Spirit to be enacted via ordinary human church members.
God’s Spirit moves and breathes amongst his church. Keeping unity of the Spirit—unity in the church—is worth upholding. (Even if it means passing on that meat plate you really wanted.)
Romans 14:22-23
First, Paul talked about us (believers) judging others. (Romans 14:1-12)
Then, he talked about others judging themselves. And others judging us. (Romans 14:13-21)
Finally, he discusses us judging ourselves.
And I love what he says:
So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. Romans 14:22 NIV
I’m also going to add this verse here from the Amplified Bible, as I find it very helpful:
The faith which you have [that gives you freedom of choice], have as your own conviction before God [just keep it between yourself and God, seeking His will]. Happy is he who has no reason to condemn himself for what he approves. Romans 14:22 AMP
It never gets old to me that the word “blessed” can be simply translated to happy. Good-ol’-fashioned happy. (blueletterbible.org)
The person who holds a personal conviction before God—and operates in accordance with that conviction—is happy! This way of living brings clarity and simplicity, keeping the waters from being muddied by legalism and other people-oriented systems of thinking.
We live in the light of Christ, in pursuit of God’s will, by the power of the Spirit. Knowing (as we saw in verse 18) that the one who seeks to please God isn’t focused primarily on the do’s and don’t’s of diet or calendar, but is seeking the to fulfill the law of neighborly, Christ-like love. (Romans 13:10)
In the end, if a person believes they are going against God’s will when they do something, then they ought not to do it. At the same time, if they believe something is allowed in accordance with their Christian freedom, may they take into account how their choices impact those around them, as they seek to hold love in high pursuit—for the glory of their Master.
Beauty in the Book
I love it! I just love-love-love it. The Christian life is about loving God and loving others. And while the nuances are as widespread as meals on a menu or days on a calendar, it really is as simple as can be: we are to live our lives with the aim of loving our Holy God and those around us.
It’s the question asked of Jesus, and his basic, profound answer in Matthew 22:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:36-38 NIV
We see this mindset played out as Paul addresses specific circumstances with the Roman church. When believers come together with varying levels of faith and varying opinions on grey matters, how is the church to proceed? Simply put: by putting others above themselves.
They are to be convicted in their hearts and minds before a Holy God—living not in the fear of man, but in the fear of Him only—but they are to be willing to lay down their rights at a moment’s notice to serve the weakest among them.
This is to uphold his way of love as we hold fast to the simplicity of his law—scripted onto our hearts, being brought to fruition by the work of the Spirit. For the betterment of the church, the furthering of his kingdom, and the glory of His Name.
