Romans 14:1-13

Romans 14:1-13

[1] Him that is weak  in the faith  receive ye,  but  not  to  doubtful  disputations.  [2] For  one  believeth  that he may eat  all things:  another,  who is weak,  eateth  herbs.  [3] not  him that eateth  despise  him that eateth  not;  him which eateth  not  judge  him that eateth:  for  God  hath received  him.  [4] Who  thou  that judgest  another man's  servant?  to his own  master  he standeth  or  falleth.  Yea,  he shall be holden up:  for  him  stand.  [5] One  man  esteemeth  one day  above  another:  another  esteemeth  every  day  every man  be fully persuaded  in  his own  mind.  [6] He that regardeth  the day,  regardeth  it unto the Lord;  and  he that regardeth  not  the day,  to the Lord  not  regard  it. He that eateth,  to the Lord,  for  he giveth God  thanks;  and  he that eateth  not,  to the Lord  he eateth  not,  and  giveth God  thanks.  [7] For  none  liveth  to himself,  and  no man  dieth  to himself.  [8] For  whether  we live,  unto the Lord;  and whether  we die,  unto the Lord:  whether  we live  therefore,  or  die,  the Lord's.  [9] For  to  end Christ  both  died,  and  that  he might be Lord  both  of the dead  and  living.  [10] But  why  thou  judge  brother?  or  why  thou  set at nought  brother?  for  all  stand before  the judgment seat  [11] For  it is written,  As I  live,  saith  the Lord,  every  knee  shall bow  and  every  tongue  shall confess  to God.  [12] So  then  every one  shall give  account  of  himself  to God.  [13] not therefore  judge  one another  any more:  but  judge  rather,  that no man  put  a stumblingblock  or  an occasion to fall  in his brother's way. 

What does Romans 14:1-13 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In Romans 14:1 to Romans 15:13, Paul gave special attention to the problem of knowing how to live in Christian freedom. This section of Romans deals with Christian conduct when God does not specify exactly what we should do in every situation (cf1Corinthians8). In such cases some Christians will do one thing and others another, both within God"s will. How to handle these situations is the focus of this section.
Paul moved on to discuss a problem that arises as the dedicated Christian seeks to live within God"s will in the body of Christ ( Romans 12:3-21) and in the body politic (ch13). As Christians, the613specific commands of the Mosaic Law no longer govern our conduct ( Romans 7:6; Romans 10:4), but the principles that Jesus Christ and His apostles revealed do (cf. chs12-13). How then should we deal with conflicting applications of these principles? How should we conduct ourselves when our interpretation of God"s will differs from that of another believer? Paul explained how believers can disagree on nonessentials and still maintain unity in the church.
"From speaking of those who were too lax in the indulgence of natural appetites [1], the subject passes mainly to those who are too scrupulous. The object is not to remove these scruples, but to show those who have them and those who have them not how to live in Christian peace." [2]
The command to accept one another begins ( Romans 14:1) and climaxes this section ( Romans 15:7). Within it Paul also gave three other "one another" references ( Romans 14:13; Romans 14:19; Romans 15:5).