Romans 14

1 The Apostle now teacheth further how believers must carry themselves towards the weak who did not yet well understand the doctrine of Christian liberty, especially concerning the differences of meat and days , namely, that they must receive the weak, and therefore not contend with them, that the weak must not condemn the others. 5 That booth weak and strong must aim at one end to serve God thereby, 7 seeing we are always bound to promote his glory both in life and death, 9 even as also Christ therefore died and rose again, that we might give him as our Lord and Judge, an account of all actions 13 that therefore the strong take heed that they give no scandal to the weak. 14 That now indeed the difference of meats and daise ceaseth, but that this liberty must not be used to the grieving and weakening of others for whom Christ died also, 17 Seeing Chr. Rel consisteth not in mear and drink. 19 that in these things men must always seek after peace, 20 and rather not eat and drink that which would offend the weak 22 and further in these things do nothing on either side with a doubting conscience, seeing that is sin.

1. NOW him that is weak in the faith [That is, he that out of weakness doth not yet rightly understand the point of the abolishing of the ceremonies of the Old Testament: as they were many Jews at that time, who were converted to the Christian Religion, who because the ceremonies were instituted by God himself, and they were brought up in the same, could not then believe that they might or ought to be laid aside, and therefore took offence when the believers of the Gentiles did not observe the same. Therefore he doth not here speaks of those who out of obstinacy maintained and taught that the observation of the ceremonies was still necessary to salvation, against whom he deals in the Epistle to the Galatians] receive ye, [namely, as a brother, with all kindness, bearing the weakness in him. See Phil. V. 12.17.] (but) not to contentious [Gr. To contentious of conferences, or doubting of the thoughts, namely, they that do not bring him thereunto] conferences. [or reaspnings, disputations, i.e. that you do not too much and too eagerly dispute & strive with him thereabout, and so perplex him, and bring him to greater doubting: or that to please you, he doth nothing against his conscience.]

2. One indeed [Namely, that he rightly understand the Christian liberty] believeth that all things [that is, all manner of meat that is to be eaten, without difference of clean or unclean, which was in the old Testament Levi 11.4. Deuteronomy 14:7.] may be eaten, but he that is weak [i.e. in the faith.v.1.] eateth pot-herbs, [namely, rather than the herein he would not keep the Law, i.e. contents himself with meat food which was permitted in the Law, and abstains from flesh of swine, hairs, conies, and others forbidden on the Law, Leviticus 11:5. &c.]

3. He that eateth [That is, he that believeth that a man may eat all manner of food, and doth so also] let him not despise him [Gr. Let him that account him as nothing. See of this word, Mark 9:12. Luke 23:11.] that eateth not : [namely, all manner of food, because he thinketh that this is not lawful] and he that eateth not, let him not judge [that is, condemn, namely, that he sins therein, or that therefore he is an irreligious man, or a condemner of the Law] him that eateth; for God hath received him. [that is, brought as well one as the other to the faith, and received him for one of his children in the communion of his church: and therefore he ought not be despised or condemned by men.]

4. Who art thou [He reproves both the weak and the strong, that they despised and condemned one another] who judges [that is, condemns, v.3,] another servant? [that is, thy brother, who is not thine but Gods servant. Whereby he showed that such condemning is repugnant to the Law of nature itself, according to which no man may condemn another mans servant, over whom he hath no right] He stands [that is, if he do well] or he falleth [that is, if he sin] to his own master: [namely, to whom he belongs, and who only hath right to judge him; when therefore he doth not condemn him, his fellow servants ought not to condemn him] but he shall be set fast: [that is, more and more increase and be confirmed in faith] for God is able to set him fast: [that is, hath not only the will, for he hath received him, v.3. but also the power to strengthen him in the faith, so that you need not to or contend much with him thereabout.]

5. The one [Namely, the believing Jew, who doth not yet understand Christian liberty] indeed esteemed [Gr. Judgeth, i.e. thinketh that the feast days of the old Testament must yet be observed, and that therefore one is holier then another] the one day above the (other) day: but the other [namely, the believing Gentile, who understandeth Christian liberty] esteemed all days [Gr. Everyday, or each day, i.e. holds that the difference of days now ceaseth, and that we are not obliged to the feast-days of the old Testament] (alike) Let every one [namely, whether he eateth or eateth not: makes difference of days, or makes no difference] be fully assured, [namely, that in so doing sinneth not, and intendeth not to offend God, and wittingly to do contrary to his will, and that consequently he also search diligently which of the two is pleasing to God] in his own mind. [or in his own understanding.]

6. He that taketh notice of a day, [That is, the feast days of the old testament, which the weak amongst the Jews thought must also be observed in the new Testament] he takes notice of (it) to the Lord: [that is, intendeth nothing else but thereby to give God service and honour: So that both the weak and the strong aim at all one end and scope, and therefore must not condemn one another] he that taketh no notice of a day, he taketh no notice of (it) to the Lord, He that eateth [namely, all kind of meat, and thinketh that this is lawful, v.2.] he eateth (that) to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; namely, the strong for his liberty, and for the meat which he enjoyeth with a good conscience] and he that eateth not, he eateth (that) not to the Lord, and he giveth God thanks. [namely, the weak one, howsoever he thinketh some meat to be forbidden, that nevertheless God afford him wherewith may be fed with a good conscience, 1 Tim. 4.5.]

7. For no man of us [Namely, believing Christians, whether strong or weak] liveth to himself, [that is, must order his life not according to his own lust or profit: or as he will, seeing he is not his own, but is subject to another, namely, to the Lord, according to whose command, and for whose service he must frame his life] and no man dieth to himself. [namely, as if with his death it was wholly done with him.

8. For whether we live, we live to the Lord, [That is, we are subject to the command of the Lord Jesus Christ, as being his proper servants, bought by his blood, and must therefore bestow our lives for his service and honour] whether we dye, we dye to the Lord. [that is, we must be ready to lay down our lives for the service and honour of our Lord, whensoever it pleaseth him: and after our death shall give an account of our doings] Therefore whether we live, or whether we dye, we are the Lords, [that is, we are Christ’s property & servants, which are subject to him, and according to his command must live and & dye.]

9. For this purpose also Christ died, [Here he proves that Christ is our Lord; and that he got his right of dominion over us, by his death and resurrection, 1 Cor. 6.20. 1 Pet. 1.18.] and rose, and became alive again, that he might have dominion both over dead and living. [that is, over all believers, as well they are that are yet alive, as those that are dead in the Lord, and that shall be raised up by him again.]

10. But thou [Namely, weak one] why dost thou judge [that is, condemn v,3.] thy brother? [that is, the believing Christians, which understand and use their Christian liberty] Or thou also [namely, strong in faith] why despiseth thou [see v.3.] thy brother? [namely, who doth not yet understand Christian liberty, no dares to use it because of his weakness] For we shall also be set before the judgement-seat of Christ. [that is, before the judgement of God, where Christ shall sit as judge, 2 Cor. 5.10. to whom alone also belongs to judge over the consciences, and to whom we must give an account of all that we have done or omitted, v.12.]

11. For it is written, I live [That is, as truly as I live: manner of taking an oath which the Lord often useth, Num. 14.v.21.28. Isaiah 49:18. Jeremiah 22:24. Ezekiel 5:11. and 14.16,18. and 20.3.] saith the Lord: [that which is spoken by the Prophet of Jehovah the true God, is here ascribed to Christ, to show that he is also true God] every knee shall bow [that is, yield reverence and obedience as to their Lord. See Philippians 2:10.] before me, [namely, Christ the Son of God, and Saviour. See Eph.1.20,22. Philippians 2:10.] and every tongues and mouths confesses me to be true God, and their Lord Judge, Rom. 10.v.9,10.] shall confess [or praise, thank] God.

12. So then every one of us [Whosoever he be, great or small, weak or strong] shall give an account [namely, how we have carried our selves in this life. See Mat.25. 2 Co. 5.10.] for himself, [that is, of his own actions and omissions, and not of another mans actions] to God. [that is, to the Lord Christ, who is true God, and shall transact the judgement of God.]

13. Let us not therefore judge [That is, condemn, v.4,10. namely, seeing judgement belongeth to the Lord Christ] one another anymore: but judge this rather, [that is, esteem and acknowledge that this is best and most seemly, namely, that ye [namely, that are strong] give [Gr. Put or lay] no stumbling-block or offence [namely, that by your unreasonable use of Christian liberty, or rash condemning, he be not estranged from the Christian Religion. See 1 Cor. 8.9.] to your brother. [namely, who is yet weak.]

14. I know [That is, although I know well] and am assured in the Lord Jesus, [that is, by the Lord Christ. See Acts 10:15.] that nothing [i.e. no meat] is unclean, [Gr. Is common. See Acts10.14. namely, now in the New Testament, since the coming of Christ] in it self [or by it self, i.e. of its own nature, Gen. 1.v31. and chapter 9.2,3. He speaks of meats to be eaten Howsoever therefore afterwards sow of them respect of Gods prohibition were unclean of time, yet now they are all to be accounted clean, forasmuch as those shadows now cease, Colossians 2:16. 1 Tim.4.v.3.4.] but he that esteemed any thing to be unclean. [that is, who doth not yet believe that the difference of meat now ceaseth, but thinketh that this prohibition of God must still be continued. For indifferent things are such as we esteem the same, when they may not be done or omitted without offence] to him it is unclean [that is, he may not against his judgement eat such meat, for therein he should that which he himself holds to basin]

15. But if thy Brother [That is, thy weak fellow-believer] be grieved [namely, when he seeth that thou who art strong, eats meat which was forbidden in the old Testament, thinking that therein thou sinest against God, which grieveth the godly. Or seeing that thereby thou dost as it were despise and condemn them] because of meat, [that is, because he seeth that thou eat meat which he holds to be forbidden by God to Christians] thou walkest no more according to love. [for that grieveth or offendeth no man, but seeks to condescend to the weak to yield to them, and strengthen them in faith, 1 Cor. 13.4, &c.] Destroy him not [namely, as much as in thee is, thereby estranging him from the Christian Religion. Or if he follows thine example against his conscience, thereby wounding the same, whereby his faith is brought to danger] with thy meat, [that is, eating meat before him which he thinks to be still forbidden] for whom Christ died. [namely, to save him, whom thou as much as lieth in thee, destroyest, which is an abominable sin, which is also committed against Christ, 1 Cor. 8.12. Otherwise according to the judgement of charity we must account all those that confess the faith of Christ, for such whom Christ hath redeemed by his death. For that they that are once truly redeemed by the death of Christ shall not perish, is taught, Matthew 24:24. John 10:28. 1 Pet. 1.5.]

16. Let not therefore your good [That is, your Christian liberty and the use of the same] be reproached. [as well by the weak Christians as by those that are without, when they shall see that the Christians contend one with another for such slight matter.]

17. For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, [That is, the Kingdom of glory or eternal salvation, is not obtained by eating or not eating of meat, neither is the Kingdom of grace or true godliness promoted thereby. See 1 Cor. 8.8.] but righteousness, [namely, of God or Faith, which is described before, Romans 4:5. wherewith holiness of life must be joined also] and peace, [namely, quietness in our hearts and consciences, by being assured that we and our actions are acceptable to God by faith, Romans 5:3. and also outward peace and unity amongst brethren] and joy, [that is, a spiritual joy in heart, arising from a firm hope of salvation, and from observing the welfare of the Church flourishing in peace] by the Holy Ghost. [Gr. In the Holy Ghost, i.e. which is wrought and kindled by the Holy Ghost, and is a spiritual, not a worldly joy.]

18. For he that in these things [That is, he that seeketh his righteousness by faith in Christ, strives after true holiness, and feels in himself the peace and joy of the Holy Ghost, and always endeavours after peace] serveth Christ, [that is, gives Christ the obedience and worship which he requireth of us] is well-pleasing to God, and acceptable [Gr. Approved, i.e. found and esteemed good and godly] to men [namely, who judge aright.]

19. So then let us pursue [Gr. Follow after, i.e. seek all manners of ways. See the like Psalms 34:15.] that which (serves) for peace, [that is, let us use all means to keep peace among the faithful, and avoid whatsoever might break or hinder the same] and that which (serves) for edification, [a similitude taken from the building up of an House or Temple. i.e. let us seek after that whereby the church of God which is the House of the living God, 1 Tim. 3.15. Hebrews 3:6. may be built up and edified, Matthew 16:18. 1 Cor. 3.9. 2 Cor. 13.10. Ephesians 4:12. 1 Tim. 1.4.] one among other. [that is, on both sides, each contributing that which is serviceable for the edification of the Church, the weak by increasing in the knowledge of Christian liberty, and not condemning the others: and the strong in receiving of the weak, with avoiding of giving offence, and of despising of the weak.]

20. Break not [Gr. Unloose not, or dissolve not, namely, as much as lies in you, by unreasonable use of Christian liberty, despising and scandal: this is opposed to the building up or edifying] the work of God [that is, the faith of the weak brother, which God hath begun to work in him for his salvation: for it is a great sin to break down that which Hod builds] because of meat. [that is, for such a slight matter as it is to eat this or that meat] All things indeed are clean, [that is, I acknowledge indeed that it is now lawful for Christians to eat all kinds of meats. See v.14.] but it is evil [that is, sinful and hurtful] to the man who eateth with offence. [namely, of the weak.]

21. It is good [that is, useful for the edification of the weak in the Church] to eat no flesh, nor to drink neither wine, nor (anything) whereat thy brother [namely, is yet weak in faith] stumbleth, [that is, when that eating or drinking, &c. gives offence to the weak. So that the abstaining from such meat or drink is good for avoiding of offence. See 1 Cor. 8.13.] or is offended, or (wherein) he is weak.

22. Hast thou faith [Namely, whereby thou knowest and art assured Christians have the liberty to eat all kinds of meat. See v.2.14. and 1 Cor. 8.1.] have (it) to thy self namely, in thine own conscience, without showing the same with offence before the weak brethren] before God, [namely, who knows nevertheless that thou hast that faith, although though show it not in such a manner, Or have it so, that the use of it may please God, to whom we must give an account, and to whom we must not provoke] Blessed is he who is judgeth not [that is, condemneth not, namely, so abusing his liberty with offence, that thereby he deserves to be reproved by brethren, and to be judged by God] himself, in that which he approveth. [that is, that which he understand and esteemed to be lawful, when it is done without offence. Gr. In that which he proveth.]

23. But he that doubteth [That is, who is not yet perfectly assured, that all kinder of meats are now clean and allowed] if he eat [namely, any meat forbidden in the old Testament] is condemned, [that is, wounds his conscience and makes himself liable to damnation] because he (eateth) not of faith: and whatsoever is not of faith, [that is, is done without being assured that the works which we do is pleasing to God in Christ . Or that proceeds not out of a believing heart, without which neither our works nor our persons can please God. Hebrews 11:6.] that is sin.