Ep. 303. Romans 14 | The Weaker One

EPISODE 303

THE WEAKER ONE: ROMANS 14

Let's get right to it. Some believers treat one day of the week/year as more sacred than the rest, while others treat all days the same. Some believers believe they are only allowed to eat certain foods, while others feel at liberty to eat everything. This is the simple difference between those who are weak in faith and those who are strong in faith.

Now, let's be careful that we don't pass judgment from one side to the other, for each side believes themselves to be in the right. The reality of the matter is that as long as the thing, either the restriction or the freedom, is done in the name of Christ and for the honor of the Lord, it is okay. So then eating is fine, and abstaining from food is fine. What is not okay is casting judgments and dispersions on one another.

Nothing is unclean on its own merit, "But it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean." And, "The one who doubts is condemned if he eats because his eating is not from faith." However, the instruction to mature in faith is found in the first verse of the next chapter, "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves."

It is worth noting that Paul calls those who venerate certain days and abstain from certain foods "weakness" and a "failing." However, it is important to note that it is not the job of the strong to chide or correct the weak brother; instead, it is to do all things in a way intended to bring them into deeper fellowship with Jesus. I say this only so that those of us who are "weak" might take the time to note that we are, in fact, "weak," and we might come to a place in our spiritual growth where weakness is replaced by strength.

ADDITIONAL READING: Isaiah 45:22-25; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 2:16-23