Romans 14:1-12

Romans 14:1-12

[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. 

What does Romans 14:1-12 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The apostle dealt first with the importance of not judging one another. This was a particular temptation to those Christians who believed that they should refrain from some practices that they believed were displeasing to God but which other Christians felt were legitimate. When Paul wrote, the first group included Jewish Christians who, because of their background in Judaism, tended to perpetuate the practices commanded in the Mosaic Code. Some Jewish Christians do this today as well. In our day this group also includes Christians, both Jewish and Gentile, who for one reason or another do not believe certain amoral (non-moral) practices are proper for a believer even though other Christians judge them permissible.
An amoral practice is neither right nor wrong in itself. It does not involve sin and, therefore, morality. Examples include food, drink, recreation, clothing, personal grooming, birth control, schooling, lifestyles, et al, when no sin is involved. Some Christians who have black or white mentalities have difficulty recognizing the existence of amoral activity; to them everything is either right or wrong. However, the Bible teaches that there are many activities that may be right but are unadvisable for any number of reasons. Also, there are actions that are right for some people but not right for others.
"This paragraph divides into three sections: Romans 14:1-12. The divisions between the sections are marked with similar rhetorical questions, each using the second person singular: "Who are you who is judging the servant of another?" ( Romans 14:4 a); "Why are you judging your brother?" ( Romans 14:10 a).... The first ( Romans 14:1-3) and the third ( Romans 14:10-12) state in almost identical language the main point of the paragraph: the "strong" are not to "despise" the "weak"; the "weak" are not to "judge" the "strong" (cf. Romans 14:3 a and10a). In the central section, Romans 14:4-9, Paul provides the theological foundation for these commands: every Christian is a servant of the Lord; and it is to that "master," and not to any other fellow servant, that the believer must answer." [1]