Romans 14:1-5

We begin a somewhat lengthy section on a matter of practical import, not only in New Testament times but in our own day.  In 14:1 Paul says to “receive those who are weak in the faith.”  In 15:1 he is still talking about the “weak.”  In 15:7-13 he is still talking about receiving each other.  This (14:1-15:13) is all tied together, addressing how we are to treat one another in the body of Christ when we have disagreements about lifestyle issues that are Biblically debatable.  Paul gives two illustrations where the Biblical principles can be applied.

Consider the first illustration that has to do with diet and dietary laws in the Old Testament.  God had instructed Moses that Israelites were to eat no unclean animals (pork, camel, etc; Lev. 11:4-8) nor meat with the blood still in it (Lev. 17:13-15).  The meat had to be “kosher.”  Thus the practice of Jewish believers, when around Gentile believers, was to eat no meat at all but only vegetables.  You may remember that Daniel and his friends did this in Babylon (Daniel 1).  It was not that Moses commanded vegetarianism.  But they knew the meat was improperly prepared and so chose to abstain rather than risk violating the Law.

On the other hand, Christ had declared all things clean (Mark 7:19).  God’s method of teaching Peter not to be prejudiced against Gentiles was through a vision commanding Peter to eat all manner of unclean animals (Acts 10:11-15).  Paul also taught that believers were free to eat anything as long as they could and did gave thanks for it (1 Tim. 4:1-5).  For many of the new believers from Jewish background it was not all that easy to break away from having been raised to be obedient to the law given by God to Moses.  So in a desire to obey God they went to the extreme of eating no meat at all.  Meanwhile the new Gentile believers, in a desire to obey God, gave thanks for and enjoyed whatever was set before them.  But what were they to do when eating together, especially at the Lords Table when unity was such a fundamental necessity?

The other illustration had to do with the day of worship.  Jews were steeped in Sabbath-worship, meaning the seventh day, Saturday.  It was even one of the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:8-11).  But now, apparently, in recognition of Jesus’ resurrection on the first day of the week, many believers were wanting to make that the special day for the meeting of the local church.  What were they to do?  One side quotes the Old Testament; the other pleads the honor of Christ.

Think about this in your own church family.  What are some of the things that divide the body?  What are some of the things that differentiate you from other believing friends?  Further, when around new Christians, what are some of the lifestyle matters of conscience that differentiate?  Are you divided over these?  The multitude of principles in Romans 14-15 will be of great value in these, as well as in all our relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ.  This will help us to obey Jesus’ new commandment: LOVE ONE ANOTHER!