Romans 14-15:13

What’s Happening?

There is a growing tension in the church of Rome between a group of people who called themselves “strong” and another group “weak.” The weak followers of Jesus are likely a minority of Jewish followers of Jesus, while the strong are a majority group of non-Jews. Specifically, the growing division is over food, wine, and holidays. The “weak” abstain from meat, don’t drink wine, and continue to celebrate Jewish holidays in an attempt to obey the Jewish laws in the Old Testament. However, the “strong” feel freedom in their conscience to eat meat, drink wine, and not celebrate Jewish holidays (Romans 14:2, 5, 21). They also feel strongly enough about their conviction that they attempt to convince the “weak” to violate their consciences by giving up their more strict practices. In principle, Paul agrees with the “strong” followers of Jesus. Believers are free to obey their individual consciences in these matters (Romans 14:14, 20). However, Paul disagrees with the way the strong are dividing the church over these disputed issues. What’s more important than dividing the church over their convictions is loving, welcoming, and accepting others as they attempt to follow Jesus (Romans 14:1-2, 15:7).

God has welcomed both the weak and the strong into his family. So no one who eats meat should judge a brother or sister in the faith who doesn’t. And no one who abstains from certain foods and wine should judge those who enjoy those things. God alone is our judge (Romans 14:3-4). Rather than judging others and attempting to enforce our opinions, Paul says that all believers need to be given space to obey their consciences before God (Romans 14:5-7). After all, Jesus died, rose from the dead, and now sits as the ultimate judge over all humans. It is inappropriate to pass judgment on disputed issues of conscience because Jesus is the one to whom all his followers are held accountable (Romans 14:8-12).

Instead of passing judgment, strong followers of Jesus should devote themselves to loving and encouraging their weaker brothers and sisters (Romans 14:13-14). The strong should never feel guilty for exercising their freedom to eat meat and drink wine. But they also shouldn’t flaunt their freedom in a way that erodes the convictions of those sincerely trying to follow Jesus (Romans 14:15-16, 20-21, 23). The mark of a Christian community isn’t defined by what they eat or drink but by how they love and relate to one another. Instead of publicly advocating for their freedoms, the strong should pursue unity, enjoy their freedom privately, and abstain for the sake of the weak (Romans 14:19, 21-22). Paul then says this is more than a suggestion but the obligation of strong believers (Romans 15:1-2). Just as Jesus died for the good of others, strong believers must be willing to lay down their freedoms and pleasures for the sake of harmony and unity in their church (Romans 15:3-6).

Where is the Gospel?

Paul ends this section of his letter by calling all believers, both strong and weak, to welcome one another into their church just as Jesus has welcomed them into God’s family (Romans 15:7). Their sacrificial acceptance of one another will be a demonstration of Jesus’ sacrifice and proof that God has been faithful to his most ancient promises (Romans 15:8). Back in the book of Genesis, God promised to include both Jewish and non-Jewish people in one family (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:5-6). And the Roman church, which is made up of “strong” Gentiles, “weak” Jews, and everyone in between, is living proof that God has been faithful to these ancient promises. 

Paul quotes from four other passages in the Hebrew Bible that explain that it was always God’s plan for Jewish and non-Jewish people to be included in a singular family (Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 18:49; Psalm 117:1; Isaiah 11:10). When believers, regardless of their relative “strength,” love one another despite significant disagreements, we prove to the world that Jesus’ global mission is coming true.

There will be many times we think our way of practicing the faith is wiser, more biblical, or better than others. And sometimes, we will be right! But Paul tells us that being right over a disputed issue is no reason to judge, domineer, or divide your church. Too often, a lack of love and the presence of judgment divides churches that God intends to be windows into the history-spanning plan to join all people in his family. Instead, we are called to deny our freedom for the good of others and repeat in our lives the sacrifice Jesus made by loving and welcoming others, even at great cost to ourselves. 

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the God who has promised to make all people part of his family. And may you see Jesus as the one who gave up his strength and freedom to welcome the weak.