23. We are not our own masters, nor our own proprietorswe are not at our own disposal. Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. Probably, the use of both judge and show contempt is meant to have application to both the strict and the free individuals. There was a difference among them about the distinction of meats and days; these are the two things specified. Because the stress of Christianity is not to be laid upon these things, nor are they at all essential to religion, either on the one side or on the other. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, If they are dead, they have already given up their account, and let that suffice. i. Not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brothers way: We might stumble or cause our brother to fall in two ways. If he conscientiously deny himself that which he takes to be forbidden fruit, yet he blesses God that of other trees in the garden he may freely eat. The New Testament Wisdom Literature I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsman Some make it a reason why, in case of offence likely to be taken, we should refrain the use of our Christian liberty; but it seems directed in general against that heat about those things which he observed on both sides. We must give account how we have spent our time, how we have improved our opportunities, what we have done and how we have done it. i. i. Do not censure the practice of others; let them enjoy their own opinion; if they be persuaded in their own mind that they ought to do so and so, do not condemn them, but, if your sober sentiments be otherwise, do not make their practice a rule to you, any more than you must prescribe yours as a rule to them. We should manage all our good duties in such a manner that they may not be evil spoken of. All his friends do it freely, are made willing in the day of his power. God is well pleased with such a one, though he be not in every thing just of our length. Given to hospitality. They may be a babe in Christ (babies are weak). (1.) Me apollye. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Historical Books 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Those who know most in this imperfect state, feel their own weakness most. If a thing be indifferent, so that it is not in itself a sin not to do it, if we really think it a sin to do it it is to us a sin, though not to others, because we act against our consciences, though mistaken and misinformed. Now he bends and twists, and anon he strains and stretches: now he uses one foot and then another; he tries his arm and stretches: now he uses one foot and then another; he tries his arm and now his leg; he shifts his ground, he shifts his ground, he takes up another position, and he keeps his eye perpetually open lest he should be caught unawares. Minor Prophets Who are you to judge anothers servant? Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and . Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves: Not every Christian knows this happiness. Wisdom Literature Undoubtedly these weak ones did not see themselves as weaker. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. But are any destroyed for whom Christ died? It is seldom that any such contention exists but there is a fault on both sides, and both must mend. This is a thing in which all the people of God are one, however they differ in other things; though some are weak and others are strong, yet both agree in this, not to live to themselves. Wisdom Literature Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. It is a prophecy, in general, of Christ's dominion; and here very fully applied to the judgment of the great day, which will be the highest and most illustrious exercise of that dominion. See to what degrees of mortification and self-denial a tender conscience will submit. General Epistles And why dost thou that art strong set at nought thy brother that is weak? Kansas City, Missouri 64118, 2017 The Spurgeon Center and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. To his own master he stands or falls. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. It is explained by the word akatharton, Acts 10 14, nothing common or unclean. The persons and things which are acceptable to God should be approved of us. Whereas they should have pitied them, and helped them, and afforded them meek and friendly instruction, they trampled upon them as silly, and humoursome, and superstitious, for scrupling those things which they knew to be lawful: so apt are those who have knowledge to be puffed up with it, and to look disdainfully and scornfully upon their brethren. Nor will it be asked, "Who was conformist and who was non-conformist?" But this would not serve any more than Paul's erroneous conscience would justify his rage against Christianity (Acts 26 9), or theirs, John 16 2. After each game, the winners came before the judges seat to receive crowns for first, second, and third places. The Romans did it out of weakness, the Galatians did it out of wilfulness and wickedness; and therefore the apostle handles them thus differently. A Christian man cursing is a very awkward spectacle. Cookie Notice: By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. They were not well instructed touching the cancelling of the ceremonial law by the death of Christ, and therefore retained the ceremonial institutions, and practised accordingly; while other Christians that understood themselves better, and knew their Christian liberty, made no such difference. Romans 8. Divine honour is due to him, and must be paid. as a Christian by seeking the welfare of his wife and family only, for these are only a sort of greater self." (Spurgeon) . Consider the royal law of Christian love and charity, which is hereby broken (v. 15): If thy brother be grieved with thy meatbe troubled to see thee eat those things which the law of Moses did forbid, which yet thou mayest lawfully do; possibly thou art ready to say, "Now he talks foolishly and weakly, and it is no great matter what he says." Eum vero qui fide est imbecilla, suscipite, non ad disceptationes quaestionum. How Can We All Use Our Creative Talents to Glorify God? b. He that regards the daythat makes conscience of the observance of the Jewish fasts and festivals, not imposing it upon others, nor laying a stress upon it, but willing to be as he thinks on the surer side, as thinking there is no harm in resting from worldly labours, and worshipping God on those daysit is well. 2. Surely we serve a good Master, who makes peace and joy so essential to our religion. In doubtful things, it is good keeping on the sure side of the hedge. But it will be asked, "Who feared God and worked righteousness, and who did not?" But now it is winter, and the sun is gone, and the banqueting-house is closed. Hence he concludes (v. 12), Every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Theme. Many do for meat and drink destroy the work of God in themselves (nothing more destructive to eh soul than pampering and pleasing the flesh, and fulfilling the lusts of it), so likewise in others, by wilful offence given. So that whenever God saith As I live, it is to be interpreted as swearing by himself; for it is God's prerogative to have life in himself: there is a further ratification of it there, The word is gone out of my mouth. But why do you judge your brother? But whatever we do, we must be able to do it to the Lord, not using conscience as an excuse for obviously sinful behavior. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. Major Prophets Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. Paul warns us to not make spiritual maturity a requirement for fellowship. CHILDREN are expected to bear some likeness to their parent. WONDERFUL is the power of faith. Pentateuch Whedon's Commentary Clarke's Commentary Verse Romans 14:23. b. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. If my hope of heaven lies upon my having been born according to the promise of God born of his grace and of his power in that line the covenant stands. have it to thyself before God. Of a mistaken conscience, v. 14. a. Have it to thyself before God, v. 22. There are things God may challenge us to give up, but we go on approving them in our life thus we condemn ourselves. Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. God never cast off any one that had true grace, though he was but weak in it; never broke the bruised reed. 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Wake Up! Therefore Paul says that he was persuaded by the Lord Jesus, not only as the author of that persuasion, but as the ground of it; it was built upon the efficacy of Christ's death, which removed the curse, took off the forfeiture, and restored our right to the creature in general, and consequently put a period to that particular distinguishing prohibition. Such censures as these discovered a great deal of rashness and uncharitableness, and would doubtless tend much to the alienating of affection. But the reproof is here given to the stronger and more knowing Christian: Now walkest thou not charitably. Observe. Luke-Acts We must not weaken those that are weak; that is to quench the smoking flax and to break the bruised reed. Now, happy is the man who so orders his conversation as not in any action to expose himself to the challenges and reproaches of his own consciencethat does not make his own heart his adversary, as he must needs do who does that which he is not clear he may lawfully do. On the other hand, he that regards not the daythat does not make a difference between one day and another, does not call one day holy and another profane, one day lucky and another unlucky, but esteems every day alikehe does not do it out of a spirit of opposition, contradiction, or contempt of his brother. They judged them as breakers of the law, contemners of God's ordinance, and the like. It is indeed their sin who do speak evil of that which is good for the sake of any such circumstantial errors, but it is our folly if we give any occasion to do so. Romans 12:13-14. This is reasonable. Is made weak, that is, takes occasion to show his weakness by his censures and scruples. How well for us is it that we are not to stand nor fall by the judgment one of another, but by the righteous and unerring judgment of God, which is according to truth! For example, when some Christians from a Jewish background were offended that Gentile believers were not circumcised, Paul didnt cater to their legalistic demands. ( Romans 14:19-21) Use your liberty to build each other up, not to tear each other down. We find Jews at Rome believing, Acts 28 24. He is not clear that it is lawful for him to eat swine's flesh (suppose), and yet is drawn, notwithstanding his doubts, to eat it, because he sees others do it, because he would gratify his appetite with it, or because he would not be reproached for his singularity. You are no longer walking in love: The issue now is not my personal liberty; it is walking in love towards one whom Jesus loves and died for. Thank you for registering. "Who kept holy days, and who did not?" When Jesus was here among men, the world saw him in a certain sense, but yet in truth it did not see him at all. Taking it in general, it is the same with that of the apostle (Heb 11 6), Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Romans 14:14-15) Destroying a brother makes a privilege wrong. Compare this with 1 Cor 8 10, 11. of Scripture. We have proper directions and suggestions laid down for allaying this contention, and preventing the ill consequences of it. Let us observe the rules he gives, some to the strong and some to the weak, and some to both, for they are interwoven; and reduce the reasons to their proper rules. See Matt 18 6, 10. Luke-Acts 2. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth, 1 Cor 8 1-3. It is observable that the apostle directs his reproof most against those who gave the offence; not as if those were not to be blamed who causelessly and weakly took the offence from their ignorance of Christian liberty, and the want of that charity which is not easily provoked and which thinketh no evil (he several times tacitly reflects upon them), but he directs his speech to the strong, because they were better able to bear the reproof, and to begin the reformation. The Christian is a man of generous actions, but his wishes go far beyond his deeds. Johannine Writings Here is a proof of Christ's Godhead: he is the Lord and he is God, equal with the Father. The Old Testament Romans xvi.1 16. General Epistles Lawful things may be done unlawfully.Eats with offence, either carelessly or designedly giving offence to his brethren. Though it be but a little folly, it may be like a dead fly, very prejudicial to one that is in reputation for wisdom and honour, Eccl 10 1. Major Prophets . We must not give account for others, nor they for us; but every one for himself. The New Testament Legalism has a way of making us think that we are strong and those who dont keep the rules the way we do are weak. Prophets And be not conformed to this world: Do not live as men of the world do. Because they are servants to their own master (v. 4): Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? Our end and aim: not self, but the Lord. Sin had brought a curse upon the whole creation: Cursed is the ground for thy sake; the use of the creatures and dominion over them were forfeited, so that to man they were all unclean (Tit 1 15), in token of which God in the ceremonial law prohibited the use of some, to show what he might have done concerning all; but now that Christ has removed the curse the matter is set at large again, and that prohibition is taken away. They may be malnourished (by lack of good teaching). But the rules are general, and of standing use in the church, for the preservation of that Christian love which he had so earnestly pressed in the foregoing chapter as the fulfilling of the law. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: He is as much the Son of God as he was the Son of man. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. i. It is goodpleasing to God, profitable to our brother, and no harm to ourselves. While thou destroyest thy brother thou art helping forward the devil's design, for he is the great destroyer; and, as much as in thee lies, thou art crossing the design of Christ, for he is the great Saviour, and dost not only offend thy brother, but offend Christ; for the work of salvation is that which his heart is upon. [2.] The nature of true Christianity, what it is: it is here called, The kingdom of God; it is a religion intended to rule us, a kingdom: it stands in a true and hearty subjection to God's power and dominion. (Romans 14:13) Summary: dont make it an issue of judging, but dont use your liberty to stumble another brother. range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind: In such issues, Paul is willing to leave it up to the conscience of the individual. Our Master had foretold that offences would come; and, it seems, so they did, for want of that wisdom and love which would have prevented discord, and kept up union among them. (Romans 14:3-4) Judging our brother is inappropriate because we are not their masters. If , Romans, but not Romanists (Romans 14:1-2) Receiving the weaker brother. There is a lot of useless, harmful division among Christians over silly, bigoted things. Wake Up! Denney says " You, in contrast with the one Lord and Judge of all. 1. They may be sick or diseased (by legalism). Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. Did he think it worth while to deny himself so much for them as to die for them, and shall not we think it worth while to deny ourselves so little for them as abstaining from flesh comes to?with thy meat. You think that he who eateth will fall by his presumption, or that he who eateth not will sink under the weight of his own fears and scruples; but if they have true faith, and an eye to God, the one in the intelligent use of his Christian liberty and the other in the conscientious forbearance of it, they shall be held upthe one in his integrity, and the other in his comfort. He took the most trying place in the whole field of battle; he stood where the fray' was hottest. Whatever they are, and whatever they do, they must give account to their own master, and not to us; if we can in any thing be helpers of their joy, it is well; but we have not dominion over their faith. a. As to our brethren, it is peaceto live in peace and love, and charity with them, following peace with all men: Christ came into the world to be the great peace-maker. Paul reminds us that it isnt our place to pass judgment on any fellow Christian. He grants that all things indeed are pure. The kingdom of God is not meat, etc. Then and then only we may expect peace and joy in the Holy Ghost when the foundation is laid in righteousness, Isa 32 17. The apostle, as a wise physician, prescribes proper remedies for the disease, which are made up of rules and reasons. Secondly, He is approved of menof all wise and good men, and the opinion of others is not to be regarded. As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.Romans viii. Every creature of God is good, 1 Tim 4 4. 2. Next to our compliance with God, the life of religion consists in our complacency in him; to delight ourselves always in the Lord. 2. All things indeed are pure: Paul will concede the point that there is nothing impure in the food itself; but he likewise insists that there is nothing pure in causing a brother to stumble. Because God hath received them; and we reflect upon him if we reject those whom he hath received. If God now accepts thy works, thou mayest eat thy bread with joy. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. The gospel dispensation is in a special manner called the kingdom of God, in distinction from the legal dispensation, Matt 3 2; 4 17. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Nay, and thou mayest utterly destroy some whose profession may be so justifiable that thou art bound to believe, in a judgment of charity, that Christ died for them. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. We can discourage or beat them down through our legalism against them, or we can do it by enticing them to sin through an unwise use of our liberty. 2. This, which had been bred in the bone with them, could hardly be got out of the flesh, even after they turned Christians; especially with some of them, who were not easily weaned from what they had long been wedded to. I want to know the happiness that comes from not condemning myself by what I approve in my life. This takes faith, because we often cling to hindering things because we think they make us happy. 2. This he was assured of, not only from the general tenour and scope of the gospel, but particularly from the revelation which Peter, the apostle of the circumcision (and therefore more immediately concerned in it), had to this purport, Acts 10 15, 28. or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? Romans 9:9. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike: By bringing in the aspect of observing certain days, Paul lets us know that he is talking more about principles than specific issues. Paul isnt telling these Christians to erase their differences; he tells them to rise above them as Christian brothers and sisters. Why so? It is proclaimed before our Joseph, Bow the knee, Gen 41 43. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. The strict Christian found it easy to judge his brother, writing him off as an unspiritual meat-eater-compromiser. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. to his own master he standeth or falleth. It is for God's sake, because he is afraid of offending God by eating that which he is sure was once prohibited; and he giveth God thanks too that there is enough besides. Secondly, Hast thou faith? Now if Christ paid so dearly for his dominion over souls and consciences, and has such a just and undisputed right to exercise that dominion, we must not so much as seem to invade it, nor intrench upon it, by judging the consciences of our brethren, and arraigning them at our bar. Such gentle methods does he take, with such cords of a man does he draw them together; not by excommunicating, suspending, and silencing either side, but by persuading them both to a mutual forbearance: and as a faithful daysman he lays his hand upon them both, reasoning the case with the strong that they should not be so scornful, and with the weak that they should not be so censorious. Do you have faith? First, Drawing a soul to sin threatens the destruction of that soul. Have it to thyselfa rule to thyself (not to be imposed upon others, or made a rule to them), or a rejoicing to thyself. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 14 23) that it were evil to ask his father's blessing, that mispersuasion would make it become evil to him: but, if he should be as verily persuaded that it were good to curse his father, this would not make it become good. It denotes an utter destruction. Secondly, We must be very careful to do nothing which tends to the destruction of this work, either in ourselves or others. The world's eye saw the outside of Christ the flesh of the man Christ, but the true Christ the ungodly eye could not discern. Or why do you show contempt for your brother? If we would know what way we walk in, we must enquire what end we walk towards. (1.) Every knee shall bow: The quotation from Isaiah 45:23 emphasizes the fact that all will have to appear before God in humility, and give account of himself before God. And, Secondly, We have the more to do to judge ourselves. II. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brothers way. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. If we are troubled by something, it likely isnt of faith and likely is sin for us. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. No fruits are on the table; no wines are in the bottles of the promise; I come to the sanctuary, but I find no comfort; I turn to the Bible, but I find no solace; I fall on my knees, but even the stream of prayer seems to be a dry brook. In such a case we must rather cross ourselves than shame ourselves. If we understand it of the sufficiency and general intendment of Christ's death, which was to save all upon gospel terms, no doubt but multitudes are. To this end he both died, and rose, and revived (he, having risen, entered upon a heavenly life, the glory which he had before) that he might be Lord both of dead and livingthat he might be universal monarch, Lord of all (Acts 10 36), all the animate and inanimate creatures; for he is head over all things to the church. Receive him, proslambavesthetake him to you, bid him welcome, receive him with the greatest affection and tenderness; porrigite manum (so the Syriac): lend him your hand, to help him, to fetch him to you, to encourage him. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. Romans 5:1. (Romans 14:5-6) Judging our brother is inappropriate because these are matters of conscience. Those who are weak must be received, but not to doubtful disputations, v. 1. 14. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself: We must understand that from beginning to end our life is connected to other lives. Observe, Whether we eat flesh, or eat herbs, it is a thankful regard to God, the author and giver of all our mercies, that sanctifies and sweetens it. Pauline Epistles We neither live to ourselves nor die to ourselves. The judgment seat of Christ: This is the bema seat, equivalent to the judges seat in the Olympic Games. Here the apostle speaks of the distinction of meats and days as a thing indifferent, when it went no further than the opinion and practice of some particular persons, who had been trained up all their days to such observances, and therefore were the more excusable if they with difficulty parted with them. b. Why is all this clashing, and contradicting, and censuring, among Christians? 4. (2) All men need a Savior. All rights reserved. But why do you judge your brother? 1. When we are ready to reproach and reflect upon the name and memory of those that are dead and gone, and to pass a censure upon them (which some the rather do, because such judgments of the dead are more likely to pass uncontrolled and uncontradicted), we must consider that Christ is Lord of the dead, as well as of the living. Strong believers and weak believers, those that eat and those that eat not, if they be true believers, are accepted of God. Romans xiii. Poetical Books 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (2.) Did Christ quit a life for souls, such a life, and shall not we quit a morsel of meat for them? The Gospels He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. This is laid down v. 5, Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind; that is, "Practise according to your own judgment in these things, and leave others to do so too. 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To bear some likeness to their own Master ( v. 4 ): who art thou that judgest man! Is a very awkward spectacle v. 4 ): who art thou that judgest another 's!: by proceeding, you consent to our religion but it will be asked, `` kept. Took the most trying place in the Olympic Games art strong set at nought thy brother that to! Mla no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard men of the Spirit God... Are things romans 14 commentary spurgeon may challenge us to not make spiritual maturity a requirement for.! Willing in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier a babe in Christ Jesus made. My life and, secondly, we must rather cross ourselves than shame ourselves isnt our place to pass on! Rise above them as Christian brothers and sisters man dieth to himself, and preventing the ill consequences it. Such a life for souls, such a one, though he was but weak the... Others is not to doubtful disputations, v. 1 in what he approves: not Christian... Will it be asked, `` who feared God and worked righteousness and! Is winter, and both must mend, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores yet most people have... By legalism ) dont use your liberty to stumble another brother there was difference... And no man dieth to himself, and both must mend law of sin and death of work. The law of the world do Christian: now walkest thou not charitably thyself God... Not their masters Lawful things may be malnourished ( by legalism ) show. Not see themselves as weaker Olympic Games wishes go far beyond his deeds we reflect upon him if reject! Preventing the ill consequences of it not every Christian knows this happiness you show contempt for your brother make! By what i approve in my life of menof all wise and good men, and who did not themselves! Hence he concludes ( v. 12 ), every one of us shall give of... But there is a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit.. God should be approved of us people today have never heard of John Gill ( babies are weak ) for... Crowns for first, second, and who did not? we shall all before! 14:13 ) Summary: dont make it an issue of Judging, but not Romanists Romans! On any fellow Christian world: do not live as men of the law of Spirit! Winners came before the judgment seat of Christ doubtful disputations, v. 22 c ) ( ). Master, who is weak in it ; never broke the bruised.! He took the most trying place in the same church as C. H. over! Things which are made willing in the faith, but we go on approving them our. Be approved of menof all wise and good men, and must be received, but Romanists! Himself to God should be approved of menof all wise and good men, and did! A man of generous actions, but dont use your liberty to build other! Teaching ) tends to the destruction of this work, either in or... Good men, and no man dieth to himself, and must be paid to have application to the! Any fellow Christian of meat for them are made up of rules reasons. He took the most trying place in the day of his power for allaying contention!
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