Romans 14

1 weak in the faith. “Holding the faith imperfectly,” i.e., not being able to receive the faith in its strength, so as to be above such prejudices" (Alford).

2 all things. That is, anything.

another . . . eateth herbs. Sometimes, though not in every case, in order to avoid eating the flesh of unclean animals, and things offered to idols: see Dan. i. 8.

4 another man’s servant. Rather, “Another’s servant”; namely, Christ’s, who alone has a right to “judge” whether one who does not abstain “stands” accepted as a Christian, and who will maintain the right of His faithful servant, although you, in your weakness, condemn him.

6-9. In all matters not essential to salvation, every one should obey his own conscience, taking care to be fully satisfied that what he does is right; but we must not seek to force the conscience of another who differs from us; for we are all subject to the same Lord.

10 the judgement seat of Christ. R.V., “of God.”

11. For it is written, etc. This is a free quotation from Isa. xlv. 23 (on which see note).

12 of himself. Emphatic: not of others.

13 occasion to fall. See Mark ix. 42, and note.

14 persuaded by (in) the Lord Jesus. The conviction of a mind in fellowship with Christ, guided by His teaching and His Spirit. The apostle shows that he agrees fully with the stronger brethren in disregarding the distinction of clean and unclean food: see xv. 1.

15 with [thy] meat. That is, “with what thou eatest”: leading him against his conscience to imitate thee. Wilt thou gratify thyself with what grieves thy brother? Cp. 1 Cor. viii. 7-11. “Do not make more of thy food than Christ did of His life” (Bengel).

16. Let not then your good be evil spoken of. Be careful not to use your liberty, which is in itself a great good, in such a way as to make it the occasion of evil and reproach.

17 for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink. True religion does not consist in external observances (such as “eating and drinking”), but in the graces of the Spirit. This great principle is the effectual corrective of ritualism in all its prejudices and scruples.

18 these things. “Righteousness, peace, and joy” (17).

20 destroy not. Or, “overthrow not” (R.V.). The word used here is different from that rendered “destroy” in ver. 15; it probably refers to the word “edify” in ver. 19. Do not, for your own gratification, pull down what God is building up, whether in the soul of the weak brother, or in the church at large.

with silence. Against his conscience.

21 is made weak. Rather, “is weak.” But the words after “stumbleth” are most probably to be omitted.

22. Hast thou faith? Have you a full persuasion that what you allow yourself is lawful? Hold it for your peace before God: he is a happy man who is not always judging himself in regard to what he can approve. But he who does what he doubts about is condemned as doing wrong (23), for whatever is done in doubt of its lawfulness must be sinful: cp. ver. 14. To do what conscience allows is not always right; to do what it questions is always wrong.