Romans 14:18-23 NIV

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 14:17-20

14:17-20 Do not allow that good gift of freedom which you possess to become a thing which gets you into disrepute. For the Kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but of righteousness and peace and joy, which are the gifts of the Holy Spirit. For the man who rules his life by this principle, and so becomes the slave of Christ, is well-pleasing to God and approved by men. So, then, let it be the things that make for peace that we pursue, and the things which build up one another. Do... 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 14:18

For he that in these things serveth Christ ,.... That is, in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; he whose faith is an obedient one, and embraces these things, and from the heart obeys them; who seeks righteousness alone by Christ, and peace and pardon through his blood; who rejoices in Christ Jesus, and puts no trust in the flesh, in moral duties or ceremonial services; and who, from principles of grace, serves Christ in a way of righteousness, wherein he possesses true peace of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 14:19

Let us therefore follow after the things , Since the kingdom of God is in part peace, and the man that serves Christ in this, as in other things, is accepted with God, and grateful to men, the apostle very pertinently exhorts to seek after such things, which make for peace : not with God, for, for a sinful creature to make peace with God is impracticable and impossible, nor is there any exhortation to it in all the word of God; and if there was, it would be unnecessary here; since the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 14:20

For meat destroy not the work of God ,.... The Syriac reads it, "the works of God"; referring either to righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, of which the kingdom of God consists; or to the weak brother, who both as a creature, and as a new creature, is the workmanship of God; and to the good work of grace, the work of faith upon his soul, which is the work of God; or rather to his peace, and the peace of the church of Christ, which is both the will and work of God; peace is what... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 14:22

Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God ,.... Which is to be understood, not of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the doctrines of the Gospel; for a man that has such faith given him, ought not to keep it in his own breast, but to declare it to others; he ought to make a public visible profession of it, before many witnesses; it becomes him to tell the church of God what great things the Lord has done for him; and as he believes with the heart, so he ought to make confession with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 14:23

And he that doubteth ,.... Or makes a difference between meats and meats, or is in suspense whether any difference should be observed or not, is damned ; not with everlasting damnation, which is not the consequent of, nor connected with such an action, as eating of a thing indifferent, with a scrupulous conscience; but such an one is condemned in his own conscience; he is self-condemned, his conscience condemns him for what he himself does; and he is self-condemned in judging and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 14:18

For he that in these things - The man, whether Jew or Gentile, who in these things - righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, serveth Christ - acts according to his doctrine, is acceptable to God; for he has not only the form of godliness in thus serving Christ, but he has the power, the very spirit and essence of it, in having righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; and therefore the whole frame of his mind, as well as his acts, must be acceptable to God. - And approved... read more

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

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 14:17-20

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 14:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 14:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 14:20

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 14:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 14:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 14:18

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