SSS4 : Epistle to the Romans : Lesson 88

Text: Romans 14:1-4
30 December 2018

UNDERSTANDING THOSE WHO MAY HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT FOOD

1. Receive one who is weak in the faith (Romans 14:1a)

a) There are those who are strong
b) There are those who are weak
c) The strong must learn how to receive those who are weak

2. But not to dispute over doubtful things (Romans 14:1b)

a) Dispute over doubtful things
b) Some of which are discussed in Romans 14

3. For one believes he may eat all things (Romans 14:2a)

a) The subject: Food
b) The strong in the faith believes he may eat all things

4. But he who is weak eats only vegetables (Romans 14:2b)

a) The weak finds he cannot eat anything but vegetables
b) There may thus be a conflict between the strong and the weak on the subject of food

5. Danger: Despising the weak (Romans 14:3a)

a) Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat
b) This is a real possibility

6. Danger in reverse: Judgment of those who eat all things {Romans 14:3b)

a) And let not him who does not eat judge him who eats

b) The vegan may judge the meat eater

7. An important reminder

a) God has received him Romans 14:3c

b) God has received both

i) The strong who eats all things

ii) The weak who eats only vegetable

8. The problem of being judgmental

a) Who are you to judge another’s servant ? Romans 14:4a

b) To his own master he stands or falls Romans 14:4b
God is able to make him stand Romans 14:4c