Romans 14:21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Romans 14:1-23

We have in this chapter, I. An account of the unhappy contention which had broken out in the Christian church. Our Master had foretold that offences would come; and, it seems, so they did, for want of that wisdom and love which would have prevented discord, and kept up union among them. 1. There was a difference among them about the distinction of meats and days; these are the two things specified. There might be other similar occasions of difference, while these made the most noise, and were... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 14:21-23

14:21-23 It is the fine thing neither to eat meat, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything which makes the road more difficult for your brother to walk. As far as you yourselves are concerned you have enough faith to know that these things do not matter--well, then, let that be a matter between yourself and God. Happy is the man who never has cause to condemn himself for doing what he has come to the conclusion it was right to do. But he who has doubts about eating something stands condemned if... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 14:21

It is good neither to eat flesh ,.... Any sort of flesh, even that which is not forbidden in the law, rather than offend a weak brother; and the apostle determines for himself, that he would not, where there was any danger of doing this, 1 Corinthians 8:13 . Nor to drink wine ; not only the wine of libations to Heathen deities, but wine in common; which was not prohibited by the law of Moses, but in the case of a Nazarite, and of vows: nor anything , be it what it will, whereby... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 14:21

It is good neither to eat flesh, etc. - The spirit and self-denying principles of the Gospel teach us, that we should not only avoid every thing in eating or drinking which may be an occasion of offense or apostasy to our brethren, but even to lay down our lives for them should it be necessary. Whereby thy brother stumbleth - Προσκοπτει , from προς , against, and κοπτω , to strike, to hit the foot against a stone in walking, so as to halt, and be impeded in one's journey. It here... 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 14:13-23

Deference to weak consciences, not condemnation of them. Having taken his readers up to the judgment-bar of Jesus, the only Lord of the conscience, he now proceeds to show how we are to help weak brethren. It will not be by condemning their scruples, but by following Christ in seeking their salvation. We are to defer to conscience so far as our weaker brother's spiritual interests are concerned, and surrender meat or wine, if by our total abstinence we can promote his salvation. I. WE... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 14:19-21

Let us therefore follow after the things that make for (literally, the things of ) peace, and the things wherewith one may edify another (literally, the things of the edification of one another ) . For meat's sake destroy not the work of God. "Destroy," or rather, overthrow— the word is κατάλυε , not ἀππόλλυε as in Romans 14:15 —is connected in thought with the edification, or building up ( οἰκοδομήν ) before spoken of. "The work of God" is that of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 14:21

A self-denying ordinance. A society is formed for mutual help. The prosperity of the whole is a prime factor in all our working and living. Wondrous the effect of the gospel in levelling distinctions of class, in banishing national enmities, and in making Jew and Gentile realize their adoption into the same family of God, their oneness of blood, their community of interests. I. THE STRONGER CAN HELP THE WEAKER , AND THE HIGHER STOOP TO THE POSITION OF THE ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 14:21

It is good - It is right; or it is better. This verse is an explanation or enlarged specification of the meaning of the former.To eat flesh - That is, such flesh as the “Jewish” convert regarded as unclean; Romans 14:2.Nor to drink wine - Wine was a common drink among the Jews, and usually esteemed lawful. But the Nazarites were not allowed to drink it Numbers 6:3, and the Rechabites Jeremiah 35:0 drank no wine, and it is possible that some of the early converts regarded it as unlawful for... read more

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