Romans 14Broad Overview• The reputation of the Christians in Rome was widespread

o Faith (1:8) and obedience (16:19) o Paul had long wanted to see them (15:23)

• Paul writes: TO SET STRAIGHT THE DESIGN AND NATURE OF THE GOSPELo “In doing so, he demonstrates how the gospel of Christ fulfills

what is lacking in both heathenism and Judaism, thereby effectively replacing them as religious systems. Such an epistle would arm the church at Rome against those who would pervert the gospel or suggest that it was inadequate by itself.” (M. Copeland; Executable Outlines)

• THEME: Romans 1:16-17

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Romans 14Outline

INTRODUCTION (1:1-17)

I. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH (1:18-11:36) A. SIN - THE "NEED" FOR SALVATION B. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH - THE "PROVISION" MADE FOR SALVATION C. FREEDOM - THE "RESULT" OF SALVATION D. JEW AND GENTILE - THE "SCOPE" OF SALVATION

II. THE TRANSFORMED LIFE (12:1-15:13) A. IN RELATION TO OVERALL CONDUCT (12:1-21) B. IN RELATION TO CIVIL AUTHORITY (13:1-7) C. IN RELATION TO FELLOW MAN (13:8-14) D. IN RELATION TO WEAK BRETHREN (14:1-15:13)

III. CONCLUDING REMARKS, INSTRUCTIONS, AND BENEDICTION (15:14-16:27)

Romans 14Context

Leading up to Rom. 14…• 12:1 Be wholly dedicated to God• 12:2 Be ready to discern and test to know the will of God• 12:3 Do not think you are more than you are

o Use sober judgemento We each have a function in Christ (one body; different gifts)

• 12:9 Have real loveo (10) Outdo one another in showing honoro (18) Live peaceably with all meno (19) Never avenge yourselves

• 13:1 Submit to authority• 13:8 Love all

Looking forward to Rom. 15…• (5-7) Glorify God with one voice• (8) Christ was a type of this when He became a servant

Romans 14Differences on Rom. 14 refer to whether Paul is discussing personal preferences (opinions) or actual matters of faith (doctrine).

Rom. 14 concerns…• (1) One weak in faith

o Weak = not firmly establishedo Faith – this person is a believero (3) God has welcomed him! o (4) He is also God’s servant …he will be upheld…the Lord will

make him stand• …and their opinions

o They eat only vegetables (for example)• …and the relationship between the “weak” believer and a “strong”

believero (5) “One person” – perhaps intentionally ambiguous?o (5) We must all be fully convinced in our own mindo (6) IMPORTANT: All these things, regardless of who does them

(strong vs. weak) are done “in honor of the Lord.”

Romans 14The Question then is (v ss. 4, 10, 13): Why then do you judge your brother [in these matters]?

• JUDGE = setting oneself up as accuser, judge, and executioner; it does not mean we cannot make decisions about the right or wrong of another's action (cf. Mt 7:1-6,15-20; Jn 7:24; 1Co 5:9-13)

• (9) Christ is our Lord (master)• (10) We will all be judged by God• (12) Each of us will give an account to God for ourselves.• Therefore, let us not judge BUT [instead; ie – the opposite action is

to] decide NOT to put stumbling blocks • STUMBLING BLOCK = that which causes another to fall; it does

not have to be something wrong within itself• Stumbling blocks do not (in and of themselves) equal sin

o (14) In the Lord Jesus (doctrinal), nothing is unclean; (20) Everything is indeed clean

• (15) GRIEVED = pained; the word does not mean the way we commonly use it today, that is, to have one's feelings hurt or "offended"