Romans 15:14-16 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. 15 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gosp...

Romans 15:7-9 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. 8 For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises to the fathers, 9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy…            So it is clear that strong Christians, realizing their freedom in Jesus Christ, recognize their freedom...

Romans 15:5-7 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.In Romans 15:4, Paul writes in reference to OT Scripture, “Whatev...

Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.Having just quoted from an OT Psalm (69:9) in v. 3 in order to prove the point that Jesus Christ is the believer’s supreme example on how to live for others and not oneself, Paul qualifies what he said by reflecting on this q...

Romans 15:2-3 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”            Why should Christians care about what others think? Why should we strive to build others up instead of enjoying this short life full of Christian freedoms? Simple. It’s what Jesus Chr...

Romans 15:1-2 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.Although Paul has hinted at belonging to what he designates as “strong” (Gr. dunatos) believers (those who rest assured in their freedom in Christ), here in 15:1, for the first time, he is explicit. Addressing h...

1 Corinthians 8:7-13 …Some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled… 12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble....

Romans 14:19-23 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22 The faith which you have, have as your own convictio...

Romans 14:16-18 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.Divisions inside a church almost always make their way outside the church and cause the church in general to be scoffed a...

Romans 14:15b Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.One ramification for Christians who flaunt their freedom in front of their weaker brothers in Christ is that it can actually “destroy” (Gr. apollumi) the weaker brother. Contrary to acting in a loving way, these Christians act in a most hateful way. In so doing, they miss an opportunity to minister to one “for whom Christ died.” ...

Romans 14:13-15a Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love.Addre...

Romans 14:9-12 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” 12 ...

Romans 14:5-8 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for hi...

Romans 14:2-4 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to mak...

Romans 14:1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.Divisions in churches have existed since the Church began. Among the earliest divisions concerned certain Christian freedoms with regard to eating (14:2), observing some days as holier than others (14:5), and drinking (14:21). Although there were some Christians who understood their fre...