Unit: Romans (Part 1)
Theme: Righteous
Lesson text: Romans 14:1-5, 13-23
Supplemental texts: Romans 14:6-12; 15:1-7; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Philippians 2:1-11
Aim: Treat others with kindness and respect even when they think differently on some things than you do.
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Download a PDF of this week’s lesson material (the Study by Mark Scott, Application by David Faust, and Discovery Questions by Michael C. Mack): LOOKOUT_Jan30_2022.
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By Mark Scott
Faith that does not produce faithfulness is not worth a fig. The new right standing with God that has been created by the gospel has a practical side. Doctrine always shows up in duty. Beginning in Romans 12:1, Paul gave the believers several practical teachings—examples include presenting their bodies as living sacrifices, using their spiritual gifts, loving others purely, obeying authorities, living with moral excellence, and treating other believers with kindness when those believers disagree with one another.
Eating is a big deal in the Bible—and it’s spiritual. It’s as old as the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1–2). It is the centerpiece of Middle Eastern hospitality (Genesis 12–50). It began the Passover celebration (Exodus 12). It may be all that is important in life “under the sun” (Ecclesiastes). It was the major emphasis at the Last Supper and last breakfast (Luke 22; John 21). It will be part of the marriage feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19). But sometimes mealtimes can get awkward (1 Corinthians 8–10; Romans 14). In righteous relationships people . . .
Accept Others
Romans 14:1-5
Eugene Peterson said, “Where two or three are gathered together, there problems develop.” When believers disagree about disputable matters (things that would cause dialogue), they are to avoid quarreling (making critical remarks) about one another. Instead, they are to accept others. It means to welcome them despite feeling differently about various issues.
Eating food was the issue that created this lack of goodwill among Christians; but, of course, food really was just a symptom of the problem. There seem to be some parallels between this situation and the one in Corinth (1 Corinthians 8–10). Had the food been prayed over to the demons and idols? Some thought that if the meat at the table had been prayed over to the idols in the meat market, then the only appropriate response on the part of a Christian was to become a vegetarian. Others felt that idols were nothing, so it did not matter. The meat eaters would treat with contempt (scorn) the vegetarians, and the vegetarians would judge (condemn) the meat eaters.
Another issue concerned the honoring of special days (cf. Colossians 2:16). This is teased out more in Romans 14:7-8, 10, and 12. Days and feasts were inextricably linked in the Old Testament. But since God accepted both weak and strong, the church must do so, as well. God can make both stand.
De-Stress Others
Romans 14:13-18
It is not enough to accept others. The next step toward righteous relationships is determining not to pass judgments on others or to cause people to stumble in their faith. This is where a Christian conscience comes into the discussion. Believers are not acting in love when they do not care about someone else’s conscience (1 Corinthians 8:11-12).
Paul stated his own opinion about the issue in this passage. Since Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19), Paul (and Peter in Acts 10) said that nothing is unclean in itself (i.e., the Levitical dietary code is fulfilled—its job has been accomplished). But that does not deal completely with the issue. A person must go to bed with his or her own conscience. Some believers can be distressed (grieved) by the seeming liberties of others. It is another issue if the weak person makes this a term of the gospel (see the Epistle to the Galatians). But if it is a matter of disrespecting another’s conscience, then that believer is no longer acting in love. After all, the kingdom is larger than food. It concerns righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Edify Others
Romans 14:19-23
It is not enough to accept others and de-stress others. The next step toward righteous relationships is making every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification. The work of God that is the fruit of righteousness is not about food—though food can enhance relationships. Paul circled back to his own opinion again of all food being clean. But he quickly added that causing others to stumble will not edify anyone. Verse 21 puts a high priority on not doing anything that would cause someone to stumble in their faith. Eating meat or drinking wine or doing anything else could actually be sin. The goal is to build up believers—not make them fall.
Some things are better kept quiet—just between the believer and God. Paul even put a beatitude on the person who learns this (v. 22b). Eating or abstaining from eating must come from a posture of faith. In fact, faith actually interfaces with our conscience in such a way as to be a moral umpire on our relationships.
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