Read the passage: Romans 14 (ESV, Bible Gateway)
Verses 1-3
- When Paul talks of ‘opinions’ (v1) he is talking about areas and practices that the Bible does not address directly – areas that are considered ‘matters of conscience’ or ‘disputable’. What are some reasons why people quarrel over these kinds of ‘opinions’?
- As a follow-up, considering v3: What are some reasons why people disdain or pass judgment on others?
- In contrast, Paul says that rather than quarrel with those who are ‘weak in faith’, we are to welcome them. What does it mean to ‘welcome’ someone?
- Look at v3 and 15.7. How does the gospel inspire us to welcome others?
- Paul describes believers as ‘weak’ or ‘strong’. What is the error those who are ‘weak’ make?
- Again, looking at v3: what attitude do the ‘strong’ tend to have to the ‘weak’?
Verse 4
- What do we need to bear in mind as we disagree with a fellow believer? Why should this alter the way we treat them?
- Do you tend to the characteristics of the weak or the strong?
- What are some potential ‘debatable matters’ that the Bible doesn’t directly address that Christians in a church like yours might divide into groups of ‘strong’ and ‘weak’ over?
Verse 5
- When it comes to disagreements, what principle does Paul establish?
- Is this the same as saying that truth is relative, that what might be true for you is not necessarily true for me?
Verses 6-9
- What attitude to life does Paul say should be forming our view of different issues?
- This tells us that ‘being fully convinced in our own mind’ is not the same as inventing our own set of ethics. Instead, knowing you are the Lord’s will radically influence the way you see life. How might this work practically? Meaning, how might knowing you are the Lord’s influence your view on an issue over which the Bible does not speak directly?
- Look again at v9: For what purpose did Christ die and rise again? What does this tell us about the level of importance we should give to our obedience to Christ/his lordship over us?
Verses 10-12
- In these verses, as well as welcoming one another and remembering that our fellow Christians belong to Christ, Paul gives us another reason why we should not be judgmental in our attitude. What is it?
- Why is this a good motivation for not judging others?
Verses 13-15
- When it comes to what one is permitted to eat or not, Paul is fully convinced in his own mind, but he does not impose that on others. Instead, one over-riding principle guides him. What is it?
- In v13-14: How might the ‘strong’ cause the ‘weak’ to stumble and sin?
Verse 15
- Why should reminding ourselves that Christ died for our brothers and sisters change the way we think/ speak/treat them?
Verse 17
What is Paul meaning here? Try and rephrase it.
Verse 22
- In the context of what Paul has already said in ch14, what do you think he means by keeping your faith between yourself and God?
Verse 23
- Why is doing something that does not proceed from faith sin?
Wrap it up
Summarise the take-home of this passage in a sentence or two.
Leader’s notes
Verses 1-3
- When Paul talks of ‘opinions’ (v1) he is talking about areas and practices that the Bible does not address directly – areas that are considered ‘matters of conscience’ or ‘disputable’. What are some reasons why people quarrel over these kinds of ‘opinions’?
From what follows in ch14, in Rome, the issues causing conflict in the church were over what people could eat, what days were special, and whether or not it was ok to drink wine. People might argue about these and other issues the Bible doesn’t explicitly address because they disagree about how other parts of the Bible might speak to such issues; or because they disagree on how important this issue is or why – for example it might be a marker for some other social issue; or because they are argumentative by nature, or feel better about themselves by being ‘right’ on this issue.- As a follow-up, considering v3: What are some reasons why people disdain or pass judgment on others?
They can do so because they think the view they hold on an issue is right, and so either they might look down on those who don’t because ‘they are so narrow minded’, or that they think the fact that they’re ‘right’ on this issue makes them right before God – it’s a form of self-justification. - Paul describes believers as ‘weak’ or ‘strong’. What is the error those who are ‘weak’ make?
They are weak in their understanding of justification. They think they are made right with God – welcomed by God – by what they eat or don’t eat, by what they do or don’t do. Thus, they judge those who eat meat, whereas God welcomes them. They have – or are in danger of – losing sight of the gospel, that they are saved by grace through faith. As a result they think they must try and stay in God’s favour by following rules and regulations. Theirs is a ‘legalistic’ Christianity. Of course, such people may not look ‘weak’, they may be the most keen, zealous, fervent people in a church. But they are so because they think they have to earn God’s favour. Or they may express strongly that the way we dress, or what we drink, or the type of worship songs we sing, is of critical importance. - Again, looking at v3: what attitude do the ‘strong’ tend to have to the ‘weak’?
The strong know they are saved and kept in God’s favour by God’s grace and not by anything they do. Thus – in the situation Paul is dealing with in Rome – they are free to eat meat. However, they tend to look down on those who are not as free as them, they see them as narrow-minded, legalistic, stuck in their ways, unsophisticated, less mature or lacking in spiritual insight in comparison to themselves. So, the strong tend to ignore, or ride over the sensibilities of the weak, while the weak condemn the strong – warning them how displeasing to God they are.
- As a follow-up, considering v3: What are some reasons why people disdain or pass judgment on others?
Verse 4
- What do we need to bear in mind as we disagree with a fellow believer? Why should this alter the way we treat them?
Christ is their master, not us. They don’t take their orders from us, and they are not finally accountable to us, but Him. Plus, their real master, Christ, will see that they get there in the end! If they are a genuine Christian, they will make it to heaven, even if they disagree with you on a debatable point.- What are some potential ‘debatable matters’ that the Bible doesn’t directly address that Christians in a church like yours might divide into groups of ‘strong’ and ‘weak’ over?
Don’t confuse things that are debatable, that the Bible does not directly address, with those that it is clear on. For example, marrying a non-Christian, homosexual relationships, sex outside of marriage, the fact that Christ is the only way to be saved are all very clearly taught in Scripture. But drinking beer? Whether infants or only believers should be baptised? The place of charismatic gifts in the church? The way we should dress, or dance, or the films we should watch? These are more debatable.
- What are some potential ‘debatable matters’ that the Bible doesn’t directly address that Christians in a church like yours might divide into groups of ‘strong’ and ‘weak’ over?
Verse 5
- When it comes to disagreements, what principle does Paul establish?
We need to evaluate our own position/practice. We need to consider that we might, in fact, be wrong. We need to re-evaluate what the Bible says on this issue – does the Bible really address it as we think it does? Or does it leave it as a matter of conscience? Or, is it really the ‘matter of conscience’ we are saying it is, when in fact the Bible does speak to it directly?- Is this the same as saying that truth is relative, that what might be true for you is not necessarily true for me?
No, there is only one truth. Two contradictory positions cannot both be true. We should investigate an issue and become fully convinced what we think the truth is, and then hold that position with grace and humility.
- Is this the same as saying that truth is relative, that what might be true for you is not necessarily true for me?
Verses 10-12
- In these verses, as well as welcoming one another and remembering that our fellow Christians belong to Christ, Paul gives us another reason why we should not be judgmental in our attitude. What is it?
We will each stand before God and give judgment. We won’t be answering for anyone else – just for ourselves!
Verses 13-15
- When it comes to what one is permitted to eat or not, Paul is fully convinced in his own mind, but he does not impose that on others. Instead, one over-riding principle guides him. What is it?
To walk in love.- In v13-14: How might the ‘strong’ cause the ‘weak’ to stumble and sin?
By their ‘freedom’ and actions they may provoke the weak to harsh comments or judgementalism. They may encourage them to do things that as yet their conscience cannot handle. Paul knows that all food is now clean, and that it can be eaten. However, despite the fact that it is clean, if someone else thinks its unclean, then to them it is unclean. If they go ahead and eat the food they still think is unclean, faith is not determining their practice – either the fear of others, or the desire to please them, or some other thing, is determining their practice. And as v23 will tell us – whatever is not of faith is sin. In turn, the fact that the weak person is willing to ignore their conscience in this area (and be encouraged to do so by their stronger brother or sister) – means they will be more willing to ignore their conscience in other areas and thus fall deeper into sin. And if the strong cause the weak to do this, they are not ‘walking in love.’
- In v13-14: How might the ‘strong’ cause the ‘weak’ to stumble and sin?
Verse 15
- Why should reminding ourselves that Christ died for our brothers and sisters change the way we think/ speak/treat them?
If Christ loves them enough to give up His life for them, we can give up our freedom for them.
Verse 17
What is Paul meaning here? Try and rephrase it.
Life, and especially the Christian life, is not about enjoying our freedoms regardless of the sensitivities of others. But neither is it rules and regulations. It is righteousness, peace and joy. And to live as a Christian is in part to think through how these are gifts of grace, and how we can cultivate them in each other.
Verse 22
- In the context of what Paul has already said in ch14, what do you think he means by keeping your faith between yourself and God?
Do not loudly broadcast your views on issues that the Bible does not directly address and that might cause discord/ division with those who take a different view.
Verse 23
- Why is doing something that does not proceed from faith sin?
We must live according to conscience. We do not have to impose this on others, but we should not ride over our own conscience. To do so is not to live trusting in God and His goodness. It is to live in fear, or doubt, or by making ourselves the law-maker, rather than God. None of these are faith – they are sin.
Download the complete study: Bible study on Romans (PDF) and leader’s guide (PDF)