Romans 14:21 KJV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Romans 14:21

(21) It is good neither to eat flesh.—These direct, clear, incisive sentences are as characteristic of the style of the Apostle (when he is dealing with moral questions of present urgency, and not with the abstract problems of theology) as the generous impulse which prompts them is of his heart.Any thing—i.e., to do anything; all three words have to be supplied.Or is offended, or is made weak.—There is a remarkable division of authority for the omission or retention of these words, the Sinaitic... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Romans 14:1-23

Romans 14:5 'Do consider the immense strength of that single verse, Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind,' writes Dr. Arnold of Rugby. 'I am myself so much inclined to the idea of a strong social bond that I ought not to be suspected of any tendency to anarchy; yet I am beginning to think that the idea may be over-strained, that this attempt to merge the soul and will of the individual man in the general body is, when fully developed, contrary to the very essence of Christianity.... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Romans 14:1-23

Chapter 29CHRISTIAN DUTY: MUTUAL TENDERNESS AND TOLERANCE: THE SACREDNESS OF EXAMPLERomans 14:1-23BUT him who is weak-we might almost render, him who suffers from weakness, in his faith (in the sense here not of creed, a meaning of πίστις rare in St. Paul, but of reliance on his Lord; reliance not only for justification but, in this case, for holy liberty), welcome into fellowship-not for criticisms of his scruples, of his διαλογισμοί, the anxious internal debates of conscience. One man... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Romans 14:1-23

CHAPTER 14 1. Strong and Weak Brethren are the Lord’s Servants. (Romans 14:1-12 .) 2. The True Way of Love. (Romans 14:13-23 .) Romans 14:1-12 The question concerning brethren who were weak in faith, how they are to be treated by those who are strong is now taken up. Those weak in the faith had not the complete knowledge of their position in Christ, though they knew Christ and loved Him. They did not realize that certain observances of days, or abstinences from meats and drinks, could not... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 14:1-23

Personal Conscience Toward God In Romans 12:1-21 we have seen instruction in many details of moral conduct. In such cases conscience has no liberty to take any stand but that of truth and honor. Just so in Romans 13:1-14, where questions of government are involved. For conscience sake I must be subject. If conscience requires my disobedience to authorities in order that I might obey God, it is a different matter; but I cannot plead that conscience allows me to disobey authorities simply... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Romans 14:1-23

PRACTICAL APPLICATION In chapter 6 Paul revealed the secret of experimental sanctification as the yielding of one’s self unto God, in which case sin would not have dominion over one In chapter 8 he showed the divine process of sanctification as the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer. Having finished the doctrinal part of his epistle, he returns to what he then said (chap. 6), and exhorts us to yield because of the “mercies of God” of which he had been speaking throughout (Romans 12:1-2... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Romans 14:1-23

Apostolic Admonitions Romans 14:0 It is important to know to what subjects the Apostle Paul is confining his attention in his chapter upon Christian casuistry. He is not talking about the distinction between eternal right and eternal wrong: he is alluding wholly to questions of opinion, ceremony, ritual, formality, mechanical adjustment, and the like. This clears the ground of a thousand difficulties. "In every work regard the author's end." The Apostle is not submitting the Cross of Christ... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Romans 14:17-21

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (18) For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. (19) Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (20) For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offense. (21) It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Romans 14:19-23

19-23 Many wish for peace, and talk loudly for it, who do not follow the things that make for peace. Meekness, humility, self-denial, and love, make for peace. We cannot edify one another, while quarrelling and contending. Many, for meat and drink, destroy the work of God in themselves; nothing more destroys the soul than pampering and pleasing the flesh, and fulfilling the lusts of it; so others are hurt, by wilful offence given. Lawful things may be done unlawfully, by giving offence to... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Romans 14:1-99

Romans 14 CHAPTER 14 is entirely occupied with a matter that gave rise to very difficult problems in the early years of the church’s history. The Jewish converts carried with them pretty naturally their views and feelings about matters of eating and drinking, about the observance of days, and customs, and the like. Their thoughts were partly based on the law of God, and partly on the tradition of the elders, but at any rate their feelings were very strong. The Gentile converts had no such... read more