[The apostle begins this section with "but," thus marking its connection with the preceding paragraph as setting forth matter in the nature of an exception thereto. He has been exhorting his readers to armed activity and vigilance in the cause of righteousness, and he now enters his caveat lest they... [ Continue Reading ]
One man hath faith [believes he has the liberty or right] _to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs_. [We are familiar with the universal Jewish scruples with regard to swine's flesh and meat offered to idols; but there were some who refined their diet to far greater extremes--to the "min... [ Continue Reading ]
Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. [Eating or not eating was, with Paul, a matter of indifference; but uncharitable conduct toward a Christian brother was not a matter of indifference--it was si... [ Continue Reading ]
Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand. [We must avoid the sacrilegious presumption which condemns where God hath not condemned. Whether our brother in Christ stands in favor,... [ Continue Reading ]
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. [Jewish Christians generally continued to reverence and observe the sabbath, new moons and festival days commanded by the law of Moses, but which are no part of the Christian system (Galatians 4:10; Colossians 2:15-16); whil... [ Continue Reading ]
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. [The conduct of each was equally commendable, as the object of each was the same; that is, to serve G... [ Continue Reading ]
For none of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. [As we are Christ's by right of redemption and purchase (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 7:23; 1 Peter 1:18-19), we are not our own, but the rig... [ Continue Reading ]
For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. [We are here told to what lengths Christ went to obtain the important right to rule over us in both spheres of being, or as literally living and dead. A right so dearly bought is not readily abandoned... [ Continue Reading ]
But thou [O weak one], _why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again_ [O strong one],_ why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God_. [The fact that each is so great a sinner that Christ must needs die for him, should prevent the one from judging... [ Continue Reading ]
For it is written [and hence was an already established doctrine, and not one just now promulgated by Paul], _As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God_. [The quotation gives the sense of Isaiah 45:23. Comp. Philippians 2:10-11]... [ Continue Reading ]
So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God. [God judges all, hence it is superfluous for the Christian to judge any. Why gather stones of condemnation and judgment when, after all, Jesus renders us powerless to throw them? (John 8:7) Since, then, our judgments are futile and worthle... [ Continue Reading ]
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge [decide] _ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother's way, or an occasion of falling_. [This warning is addressed both to the weak and to the strong. Each censorious judgment tempts the strong to a reactionary and exces... [ Continue Reading ]
I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus [I am convinced in my apostolic capacity, as enlightened by the Holy Spirit sent of the Lord Jesus (John 14:26; John 16:13-15). Paul's teachings in this entire section are contrary to his education and prejudice as a Jew. He is speaking as one freed and enl... [ Continue Reading ]
For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. ["For" looks back to verse 13. Recklessness as to the welfare or safety of others is not loving. "Grieved" may express either a lapse into Judaism on the part of the weak because of the apparent worldliness of the strong,... [ Continue Reading ]
Let not then your good be evil spoken of [Do not so use your liberty--the good you enjoy--as to provoke blame or censure, for by so doing you lose your power to influence others for good, whether they be weak or strong. A bad name has no power in God's kingdom-- 1 Timothy 3:7; Matthew 5:16; Acts 22:... [ Continue Reading ]
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men.... [ Continue Reading ]
So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another. [Humanly prescribed and wholly external ordinances neither usher us into the kingdom nor increase its power within us, nor does the failure to observe them exclude us from it. Its blessings are not... [ Continue Reading ]
Overthrow not for meat's sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth. [Do not for a trifling indulgence destroy a man, the noblest work and likeness of God. Look not at your act alone, but consider also its consequences. True, indeed, that your weak brother, in following... [ Continue Reading ]
The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. [The faith or conviction of liberty which thou hast need not be abandoned; but it should be held or preserved in the heart before God, and should not be hauntingly paraded in the sight of the weak.] _Happy is he that judgeth not himself in... [ Continue Reading ]
But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin. [The apostle here presents the contrast between the strong and the weak. The former is blest indeed in that he has liberty without the sense of inward disapproval, while the other, not... [ Continue Reading ]