- 1
- Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.
- 2
- One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.
- 3
- The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.
- 4
- Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
- 5
- One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
- 6
- He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
- 7
- For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.
- 8
- If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
- 9
- For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
- 10
- You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.
- 11
- It is written: "`As surely as I live,' says the Lord, `every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" [1]
- 12
- So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
- 13
- Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
- 14
- As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food [2] is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
- 15
- If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.
- 16
- Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.
- 17
- For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
- 18
- because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
- 19
- Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
- 20
- Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
- 21
- It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
- 22
- So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
- 23
- But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
As someone deeply immersed in the study and understanding of religious texts and philosophical teachings, I find the passage from Romans 14 to be a profound and insightful reflection on matters of faith, judgment, and personal convictions. The wisdom encapsulated in these verses resonates with a nuanced perspective on the diversity of beliefs within a religious community. Allow me to share my insights and shed light on the concepts touched upon in this scripture.
The overarching theme in Romans 14 revolves around the acceptance and tolerance of individuals with varying degrees of faith. The passage advises believers to refrain from passing judgment on disputable matters, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the diversity of convictions within the community. This resonates with the notion of religious pluralism, acknowledging that different individuals may hold different interpretations of faith without condemnation.
The mention of dietary choices, particularly the contrast between those who eat everything and those who eat only vegetables, serves as a metaphor for diverse religious practices and personal convictions. The key message is clear: individuals should not criticize or look down upon others based on these differences. The unity among believers is highlighted, asserting that God accepts each individual, regardless of their specific practices.
The passage extends beyond dietary choices to address the observance of sacred days. The idea that one person considers a day more sacred than another emphasizes the autonomy of personal beliefs within the framework of faith. This inclusivity in acknowledging diverse practices is reinforced by the notion that each person should be fully convinced in their own mind.
The text emphasizes that living or dying, believers belong to the Lord. This underscores the universal nature of faith, transcending individual practices and preferences. The mention of Christ as the Lord of both the living and the dead further reinforces the overarching theme of unity in diversity.
The passage also delves into the concept of judgment, cautioning against the condemnation of others. The reminder that every individual will give an account of themselves to God serves as a powerful incentive for believers to focus on self-improvement rather than passing judgment on their brethren.
The shift towards a broader perspective on the kingdom of God being about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit underscores the idea that the essence of faith goes beyond specific rituals or practices. It highlights the importance of a virtuous and harmonious life guided by spiritual principles.
The passage concludes with a strong call for mutual edification, urging believers to strive for peace and to avoid causing others to stumble in their faith. The emphasis on refraining from actions that could be perceived as evil, even if personally deemed good, underscores the responsibility of believers to consider the impact of their choices on the faith of others.
In summary, the passage from Romans 14 provides a comprehensive guide to navigating differences in faith within a community. It encourages believers to prioritize acceptance, tolerance, and mutual edification while recognizing the diversity of individual convictions. This scriptural insight aligns with the broader principles of religious harmony and understanding.
