Understanding Romans 14

I. Introduction
   A. A passage that has caused much dissension in the Lord’s people in the past   
      15 years
   B. Romans 14
   C. Ironically, the passage that teaches us how to get along with one another 
      when we disagree!
   D. Good brethren attempt to reach an understanding of this passage but yet 
      will not let the passage speak for itself
   E. Let us now look at the passage to see perhaps what we may gain from it

II. Purpose and Context
   A. Before we do this, let us first look at what is the purpose of Romans 14 
      and its context
   B. Purpose
      1. to attempt a reconciliation between two parties that had developed in 
         the church at Rome
         a. ethnic lines--Jewish/Gentile
         b. eating of meats, holidays, etc.
      2. Solution based on a few factors
         a. source of judgment is God (Romans 14:3-12, cf. James 4:11-12)
         b. why, then, do you judge (and condemn) your brother?
         c. Do not cause your brother to stumble (Romans 14:13-22, cf. 1 
            Corinthians 8, 10:25-33)
   C. Primary motivation: Understanding of love
      1. Critical for understanding Romans 14
      2. God loved us enough to send His Son for us (1 John 3:16)
      3. Therefore, we ought to love one another (1 John 4:7)
      4. A part of loving one another is to sacrifice for one another, and be 
         willing to give up those things which are not required so that we may be            
         in communion with one another (Romans 15:2-3, 1 Corinthians 10:23-24)
   D. Context
      1. The Letter to the Romans is significant in many ways
      2. Chapters 1-3: recognition that all have sinned, Gentile and Jew alike, 
         and the consequences
      3. Chapters 3-7: saving ability of faith and the nature thereof, along with 
         the nature of sin: serving one or the other
      4. Chapters 8-11: Jewish/Gentile relations: Jews blessed for being God's 
         people, having been given the covenant and the promise of the Messiah; 
         Gentiles blessed by being able to enter the covenant through the 
         sovereign will of God
      5. Chapters 12-13: Practical conclusions of the theology above.  The body 
         of Christ is one, and must work together as a whole.  Recognize earthly   
         authority and give them their due.  Always be ready for God.
      6. Then, the text in question.
   E. Let us now examine in general the text of Romans 14

III. What Romans 14 Says
   A. The idea of liberty
      1. not explicitly stated in text, but the concept is being discussed with 
         the meats, etc.
      2. How to define liberty critical:
         a. Any practice that God has not specifically commanded to be performed 
            and yet does not violate any precept of Scripture.
         b. An action allowed or permitted by God that if not performed will not 
            be a transgression of the will of God”
      3. Difficult concept today
         a. American concept of liberty is the unalienable rights that millions 
            have died to preserve
         b. In Christianity, the liberty is the right that can be forsaken in 
            order to have unity of those redeemed by the death of Jesus
         c. Extremely significant for understanding of chapter
   B. The "Strong" Brother
      1. Understanding Romans 14 hinges on definition of "strong" and "weak" 
         brother
      2. The "strong" brother is:
         a. one strong in the faith, knowing the Scriptures, and understands that              
            his liberty most certainly exists?
         b. One who happens to have faith in one particular practice of which 
            others may not?
      3. The text does not tell us much beyond the noticeable lack of the 
         definite article in front of the word for "faith."
      4. Conclusion: the "strong" brother, at least in this context, is simply 
         the one who has the faith in the ability to perform the practice
   C. The "Weak" Brother
      1. Again, point of controversy
      2. The "weak" brother is:
         a. one weak in the faith, not knowing the truth about the issue, simply 
            ranting without knowledge?
         b. A professional who desires to force everyone to submit to his will, 
            much like Diotrephes, so that he can rule the church?
         c. Or perhaps one who does not have the faith in the action to be 
            performed, hence weak in faith concerning it?
      3. Again, no article in front of "faith;" further, many of these 
         definitions are based more on modern experiences of brethren over what  
         Paul has said
      4. Therefore, the "weak" brother is one who simply does not have faith in 
         the action performed
   D. Source of Confusion: Romans 14 vs. 1 Corinthians 8
      1. Many times, the understanding of the terms "weak" and "strong" come from 
         attempting to force the definitions of 1 Corinthians 8 upon Romans 14
      2. Difficulties with this idea:
         a. while both speak about liberties, the nature of the two groups vastly 
            different
         b. Strong brother in Romans 14: strong in "faith," believes in liberty, 
            performs liberty, despises weak brother for not accepting liberty
         c. Strong brother in 1 Corinthians 8: strong in "the faith," believes in 
            liberty, performs liberty, is not aware that he is causing the weak 
            brother to stumble
         d. Weak brother in Romans 14: weak in "faith," does not believe in 
            liberty, condemns strong brother for practicing liberty
         e. Weak brother in 1 Corinthians 8: weak in "the faith," does not 
            understand the truth of the Gospel, is himself condemned for  
            believing that idols exist because he sees the "strong" brother 
            eating meat sacrificed to idol
      3. As we can see, two different contexts and therefore two different sets 
         of definitions about the weak and the strong

IV. What is Not in Romans 14
   A. Unfortunately, brethren add many of their own thoughts to Romans 14, and 
      these are not present in the Scripture!
   B. The "weak" brother is wrong
      1. Attitude somewhat influenced by 1 Corinthians 8
      2. Assumption made on basis that Paul agrees that the liberties in Romans 
         14 are actually valid
      3. Difficulties: the holy days mentioned—those without faith in them are 
         justified
      4. Also verse 22--one can be condemned in what he approves
   C. The "strong" brother is right
      1. see above
   D. We must "teach the weak brother" out of his opinions
      1. Belief that one may accept the weaker brother until he realizes the 
         validity of liberty
      2. Not one single word in Romans 14 that teaches this
      3. The only conclusion that the text would allow us to draw is that as long 
         as the weak brother holds to his conscience as he does, the strong 
         brother has no choice but to withhold his ability to perform the liberty
   E. But he is binding his opinion on us, and that is sin, therefore, we shall 
      not fellowship with him
      1. Look at verse 3: the "weak" brother is condemning the "strong" brother
      2. Often believed that the "weak" simply does not know if the practice is 
         valid, per verse 23
      3. Very possibly, but if the "weak" brethren out and out condemned the  
         "strong" for eating meat, they obviously were not questioning the 
         validity of the liberty
      4. Is Paul saying this is right?  By no means!  
      5. However, and this is not understood by many brethren, this DOES mean 
         that the responsibility of the strong brother is not dependent on the 
         responsibility of the weak brother!
         a. practical terms: If the strong brother believes in X and the weak 
            brother believes it is sinful to do X and "binds" it, the strong 
            brother has no right to deny fellowship to the weak brother simply 
            because this weak brother did not cease judging him.  
         b. BOTH groups have responsibilities, and neither group is dependent on 
            the other to fulfill theirs "first"
   F. If he does not like what we do, the church of Christ down the street is for  
      him
      1. Is this the attitude that Christ died for?  Voluntary segregation on the 
         basis of doctrine?
      2. Would it not have been easier for Paul to declare to the Romans to 
         create two churches, one for Gentiles and one for Jews?  
      3. This completely defies the idea of love and edification!
      4. Do we love our brethren as Christ as loved them if we would rather send 
         them down the street as opposed to welcoming them ourselves?
   G. The "weak" brother is immature in the faith, and acts out of selfish 
      conceit
      1. Discussed a bit earlier, but wanted to point this out
      2. Where is this in Romans 14?  

V. Conclusion: What Shall We Do?
   A. Separate Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8
      1. two different chapters discussing similar but yet distinct situations
   B. Recognize what liberties are and are not
      1. there are false liberties and valid liberties
      2. there are some actions that are not optional
      3. discern the spirits
   C. Be willing to forsake our liberties for the sake of the love of Christ
      1. Remember: Christ forsook much more than you ever will so that you could 
         be saved
      2. The least you can do is love your brethren enough to sacrifice for them
   D. Remember who the Judge is
      1. We are not the judge--Christ is
      2. We have no right to judge, for we ourselves have sinned
      3. EACH shall stand before the judgment seat of God
   E. Remember 1 Corinthians 10:23-25
      1. Self last, others first
      2. If more followed this concept, less division in church
   F. Remember Romans 14:15
      1. Do not destroy with food him for whom Christ died
      2. Powerful words with a powerful message
      3. If you do not show love toward he for whom Christ died, you might as 
         well have crucified Christ again
      4. This is how significant these matters are
   G. Invitation
      1. This lesson has been aimed at Christians, but we want all here to 
         recognizee that Christ died for you, also
      2. You may be a part of this fellowship that ought to yield to one another 
         for the benefit of all
      3. Christianity is about sacrifice for all--for Christ, for God, for one 
         another, for all who have need
      4. Let us help you as we stand