Romans 14:3

Let not him that eateth set at naught him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

What a natural thing it was for the Christian of strong faith to set a low value upon a brother with all those silly scruples! How easy it was for the scrupulous to judge others as "liberal" and condemn them for not accepting the more strict behavior! With some Christians thus tempted to set at naught some of their brethren, and others tempted to judge their brethren, the holy fellowship was in danger of being ruptured; and Paul moved to prevent yielding to either temptation upon the consideration that God had received both classes. There is a further echo in this chapter of the Jewish-Gentile relationship, since the Christians of Jewish background were far more likely to be among the scrupulous than were those of Gentile training. Thus, in all probability, their differences were reinforced by racial thoughts and might easily have resulted in division if Paul's instruction had not been provided. From this, the nature of those questions which must be considered insufficient grounds for breaking the fellowship is indicated. Any question arising from the scruples people observe in their private lives, and not resulting in the violation of Christ's commandments, is by such definition secondary and of minor importance.