Romans 14:1-4

Scripture Verse

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. ² One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. ³ The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. ⁴ Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

 Welcome to the Table

In AD 50+ as Jews returned to Rome post expulsion (Acts 18:2), Jewish Christians re/joined fellowships that had become increasingly shaped by Gentile Christian customs. Differences arose over food practices, “holy” days and other matters of fellowship life (14:2,5). In this section of Paul’s letter to the followers in Rome, he addresses that situation, one that will sound familiar at IPC and other international fellowships: how to have unity when people who worship God together live out their faith differently.

Paul’s distinction between the “weak” and the “strong” is not a moral or character judgment. Those called “weak” continued observing Jewish dietary rules as expressions of faithfulness (14:1–2). The “strong” believed such practices were no longer required (14:14). Paul deliberately refuses to resolve the dispute by judging one position superior (14:3). Judgment belongs to God alone, he writes. Each follower stands accountable to the same Lord (Romans 14:4). Instead, he exhorts Roman Christians to leave their contempt and judgment aside (14:3).  Their impetus “stand down” or “step aside” is because or “for” God “accepts” weak and strong. Interestingly, some translations say for God welcomes or receives them, which expands the notion of warm relational hospitality at God’s table.

Paul’s counsel was given in the historical (and for many, present day) reality when following Jesus came with no socio-economic benefits and often trouble. Many early followers were slaves, women, and other marginalized groups who met in secret; few were socially powerful. Into this context, Paul’s call for unity on disputable matters redirects the fellowship to focus on what really matters. As part of the kingdom of God, we are to pursue righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (14:17). Let us welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us, for the glory of God (Romans 15:7).

Prayer:

As God through Jesus has accepted and welcomed all of us who are weak in indisputable matters to His table, grant us grace to value unity and relationship with one another over contempt and judgment on disputable matters, here within IPC and in the global Body of Christ. For His name’s sake, Amen.