“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. {2} One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. {3} Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. {4} Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. {5} One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. {6} The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. {7} For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. {8} For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. {9} For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. {10} Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.”
Rom. 14:1-10
In Romans 14 Paul deals with two issues that were causing much dissension and strife among the brethren in Rome.
One issue dealt with whether or not a person should consume meat they had purchased at the marketplace which later might be proven to have been used as a sacrifice in idolatrous worship. Some felt that to eat this meat was the same as participating in idol worship. Because they felt so strongly about this, they would abstain from eating meat altogether and eat only vegetables lest they unknowingly partake of such. Others felt this was a foolish notion and that there was nothing wrong with eating such meat — even if it was later proven to have been involved in such a sacrifice (cf. 1 Cor. 8:4-8). As Paul himself would observe — “I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself” (Rom. 14:14a).
The other issue involved the observance of holy days and feasts. Jewish Christians had a sentimental attachment to the holidays and festivals they enjoyed with their families when they were young. It was hard not to celebrate those occasions when they came around on the calendar. To not acknowledge these occasions felt wrong to them. Likewise, there were holidays that the Gentile Christians had grown up with and, even though they now rejected the pagan meaning attached to those days, they still longed to enjoy the family and community elements that were a part of them. Others felt strongly that no significance should be attached to any day other than the Lord’s Day, and so these holidays should be forgotten and not celebrated by anyone who named the name of Christ.
Both of these issues were in the realm of opinion. I will say that again: both of these issues were in the realm of opinion. There was no “Thus saith the Lord” which spoke to either issue. Consequently, Paul instructed them that “each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5b) and do whatever their conscience allowed them to do. For, as he states, “whatever does not proceed from faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23b). Which means that though an action might not be condemned by Scripture, if we feel that it is wrong and go ahead and do it anyway, we have violated our conscience, and to violate our conscience is sin.
The part of all this I want you to consider is how Paul counsels them to be considerate of others and not look down upon those who disagree with their personal choice in these matters.
“One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. {3} Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him” (Rom. 14:2-3).
Later in the chapter Paul writes,
“Let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother” (Rom.14:13).
His strongest statement is in vv. 20-21:
“Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. {21} It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.”
Although the issues we face are different, we are living in a “Romans 14”
situation. Right now Americans are divided.
“We should all wear masks!”
“Mandates unnecessarily restrict our freedom!”
“Everyone ought to get vaccinated. There’s no excuse for not doing so!”
“I don’t trust the science behind these vaccines. I have legitimate concerns.”
Whatever your opinion on these matters, what is important to God is that you not judge or look down upon those who differ from you. As Paul says, “each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5b). Moreover, we must not behave in a way that causes others to stumble (cf. vv. 20-21).
Every issue today seems to have become politicized with the result being that Americans are increasingly polarized on the issues. As such, our discussions on these matters quickly become heated.
But there is something more important than the issues of whether or not to take the vaccine, or whether or not to wear a mask. It is the work of God! As Paul says, “Do not destroy the work of God over such things.” Let us simply do what our conscience dictates and not judge anyone who may make a different choice.
I’ll let Paul have the last word: “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Rom. 14:19).
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