Romans 14:1
Him that is weak — Through needless scruples. Receive — With all love and courtesy into Christian fellowship. But not to doubtful disputations — About questionable points.... [ Continue Reading ]
Him that is weak — Through needless scruples. Receive — With all love and courtesy into Christian fellowship. But not to doubtful disputations — About questionable points.... [ Continue Reading ]
All things — All sorts of food, though forbidden by the law.... [ Continue Reading ]
Despise him that eateth not — As over — scrupulous or superstitious. Judge him that eateth — As profane, or taking undue liberties. For God hath received him — Into the number of his children, notwithstanding this.... [ Continue Reading ]
One day above another — As new moons, and other Jewish festivals. Let every man be fully persuaded — That a thing is lawful, before he does it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Regardeth it to the Lord — That is, out of a principle of conscience toward God. To the Lord he doth not regard it — He also acts from a principle of conscience. He that eateth not — Flesh. Giveth God thanks — For his herbs.... [ Continue Reading ]
None of us — Christians, in the things we do. Liveth to himself — Is at his own disposal; doeth his own will.... [ Continue Reading ]
Or why dost thou despise thy brother — Hitherto the apostle as addressed the weak brother: now he speaks to the stronger.... [ Continue Reading ]
As I live — An oath proper to him, because he only possesseth life infinite and independent. It is Christ who is here termed both Lord and God; as it is he to whom we live, and to whom we die. Every tongue shall confess to God — Shall own him as their rightful Lord; which shall then only be accompli... [ Continue Reading ]
But judge this rather — Concerning ourselves. Not to lay a stumblingblock — By moving him to do as thou doest, though against his conscience. Or a scandal — Moving him to hate or judge thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
I am assured by the Lord Jesus — Perhaps by a particular revelation. That there is nothing — Neither flesh nor herbs. Unclean of itself — Unlawful under the gospel.... [ Continue Reading ]
If thy brother is grieved — That is, wounded, led into sin. Destroy not him for whom Christ died — So we see, he for whom Christ died may be destroyed. With thy meat — Do not value thy meat more than Christ valued his life.... [ Continue Reading ]
Let not then your good and lawful liberty be evil spoken of — By being offensive to others.... [ Continue Reading ]
For the kingdom of God — That is, true religion, does not consist in external observances. But in righteousness — The image of God stamped on the heart; the love of God and man, accompanied with the peace that passeth all understanding, and joy in the Holy Ghost.... [ Continue Reading ]
In these — Righteousness, peace, and joy. Men — Wise and good men.... [ Continue Reading ]
Peace and edification are closely joined. Practical divinity tends equally to peace and to edification. Controversial divinity less directly tends to edification, although sometimes, as they of old, we cannot build without it, Nehemiah 4:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
The work of God — Which he builds in the soul by faith, and in the church by concord. It is evil to that man who eateth with offence — So as to offend another thereby.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thy brother stumbleth — By imitating thee against his conscience, contrary to righteousness. Or is offended — At what thou doest to the loss of his peace. Or made weak — Hesitating between imitation and abhorrence, to the loss of that joy in the Lord which was his strength.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hast thou faith — That all things are pure? Have it to thyself before God — In circumstances like these, keep it to thyself, and do not offend others by it. Happy is he that condemneth not himself — By an improper use of even innocent things! and happy he who is free from a doubting conscience! He t... [ Continue Reading ]
Because it is not of faith — He does not believe it lawful and, in all these cases, whatsoever is not of faith is sin — Whatever a man does without a full persuasion of its lawfulness, it is sin to him.... [ Continue Reading ]