Romans 14:2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 14:1-12

The risen Saviour as Lord of the conscience. The apostle, as we have just seen, has been discussing the neighbourly character of Christian living, and showing that the Christ-like soul will love his neighbour as himself, and do no ill to him. And this leads by an easy transition to the whole class of weak consciences, and how they are to be dealt with. For there are people painfully scrupulous, who have come, for example, to fancy that vegetarianism is the only lawful system of diet; or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 14:1-23

F. The duty of enlightened Christians towards weak brethren. From moral duties in general of Christians towards each other and towards all the apostle now passes to such as they owe peculiarly to each other as members of a religious community, united by a common faith. He has already ( Romans 12:16 ) admonished his readers to be "of the same mind one toward another;" but, as was remarked under that verse, this did not imply agreement of view on all subjects, such as is impossible where... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 14:1-23

Christian liberty. The general treatment of the ethics of the gospel is concluded, and now the apostle deals with a particular application which the condition of the Church at Rome required. There were some there, a minority probably, who were more or less in subjection to the spirit of the old Judaic economy, making distinctions of meats and of days. And when they came together for the Christian love-feasts, the differences were of awkward consequence. The stronger ones doubted whether... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 14:2-3

One believeth that he may eat all things (literally, believeth to—or, hath faith to—eat all things ) , but he that is weak eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him . "He that eateth" is the one that has faith to eat all things; and it is against contempt on his part of the weak in faith that the admonition is mainly directed throughout the chapter (cf. also Romans 15:1 ). But... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 14:2

For one believeth - This was the case with the Gentiles in general, who had none of the scruples of the Jew about the propriety of eating certain kinds of meat. Many of the converts who had been Jews might also have had the same view as the apostle Paul evidently had while the great mass of Jewish converts might have cherished these scruples.May eat all things - That is, he will not be restrained by any scruples about the lawfulness of certain meats, etc.Another who is weak - There is reference... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 14:3

Let not him that eateth - That is, he who has no scruples about eating “meat,” etc., who is not restrained by the Law of the Jews respecting the Clean and unclean, or by the fact that meat “may” have been offered to idols.Despise him - Hold him in contempt, as being unnecessarily scrupulous, etc. The word “despise” here is happily chosen. The Gentile would be very likely to “despise” the Jew as being restrained by foolish scruples and mere distinctions in matters of no importance.Him that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Romans 14:2-4

Romans 14:2-4. For one believeth that he may eat all things A converted Gentile, who rightly understands his Christian liberty, is firmly persuaded that he may eat any kind of food indifferently, though forbidden by the ceremonial law, (blood excepted, of which see on Acts 15:20,) without sin. Another, who is weak A believing Jew, not thoroughly informed of his Christian liberty; eateth herbs Namely, for fear lest he should offend by eating any meat forbidden by the law, or which was... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Romans 14:1-23

The use of Christian liberty (14:1-15:13)Although Christians are free from religious rules and regulations such as those found in Moses’ law, some have difficulty living with such freedom. Because their faith is not strong, they have their own laws which they feel bound to keep. Other Christians should accept such people warmly into their fellowship and not argue with them about personal opinions (14:1).Some of the Jewish Christians in the church in Rome had grown little in their faith and... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 14:2

For one = The one indeed. believeth . App-150 . another = the (other). read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Romans 14:3

despise . Compare Luke 18:9 ; Luke 23:11 . judge . App-122 . God . App-98 . hath received = received. read more

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