Romans 14:2-3 - Exposition

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 the weak require an admonition too. Their temptation was to judge those who indulged in freedom which to themselves appeared unlawful; and here, in Romans 14:5 , the apostle gives such as did so a sharp reproof. There is a tone of indignation in his σὺ τίς εἷ ὁ κρίνων ; reminding us of his tone towards the Judaists in Galatia, who would have crippled Christian liberty. "God hath received him" refers evidently, as appears from its position and from the following verse, to him that eateth. God hath received him to himself in Christ, whosoever may sit in judgment on him. We observe that the verb προσελάβετο is the same as in Romans 14:1 and in Romans 15:7 .