Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
I find it interesting that those who chose to abstain from certain foods, drinks, days are referred to as the weaker brother. Yet in our churches we often give more honour and respect to those who do the most abstaining. It seems to me that we are getting things a bit backwards.
I find it interesting that those who chose to abstain from certain foods, drinks, days are referred to as the weaker brother. Yet in our churches we often give more honour and respect to those who do the most abstaining. It seems to me that we are getting things a bit backwards.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i am in absolute agreement with paul and you susan. we do have things backwards. and isn’t it a bit frustarating?
if you can’t tell from hearing me talk about anything, that this is one of my favorite chapters in all of scripture. the balance is so beautifully laid out, but paul is so forthright. calling us to freedom. giving us authority to stand firm in our freedom. but to take care of our weaker brothers and sisters.
i think a lot of damage has come to those who have strong consciences because of this passage. those with weaker consciences have taken over and anything that they don’t like, they tell people to stop “so as not to make them stumble.” yet, i think we need to know what true stumbling is. because mostly, i see people offended over stupid crap and not really stumbling. but their condemnation DOES make ME stumble. it really affects my faith. yet, for some reason, they will not stop.
and i’m glad paul stands up for those such as me. to say that we are each accountable to our master. and that we should be convinced in our own minds of our convictions, even if they are different. and not fight about them, but accept each other even in our differences. and my favorite…
“Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil…”
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i am in absolute agreement with paul and you susan. we do have things backwards. and isn’t it a bit frustarating?
if you can’t tell from hearing me talk about anything, that this is one of my favorite chapters in all of scripture. the balance is so beautifully laid out, but paul is so forthright. calling us to freedom. giving us authority to stand firm in our freedom. but to take care of our weaker brothers and sisters.
i think a lot of damage has come to those who have strong consciences because of this passage. those with weaker consciences have taken over and anything that they don’t like, they tell people to stop “so as not to make them stumble.” yet, i think we need to know what true stumbling is. because mostly, i see people offended over stupid crap and not really stumbling. but their condemnation DOES make ME stumble. it really affects my faith. yet, for some reason, they will not stop.
and i’m glad paul stands up for those such as me. to say that we are each accountable to our master. and that we should be convinced in our own minds of our convictions, even if they are different. and not fight about them, but accept each other even in our differences. and my favorite…
“Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil…”
I don’t think those that tells others to stop eating/drinking certain foods etc realize that they are actually being the weaker brother. They often speak with assumed authority as if they were the stronger brother. I’m sure if we were to point out to them that they are being the weaker brother they would be quite upset.
And these people seem to be relunctant to follow the advice in Romans 14:22 “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”
And I agree it is frustrating when people get offended over stupid stuff.
I must admit though when I myself was a young Christian I was for some time a weaker brother, concerned about what I ate and drank and how I observed certain days. I hope I did not inflict this on others.
I don’t think those that tells others to stop eating/drinking certain foods etc realize that they are actually being the weaker brother. They often speak with assumed authority as if they were the stronger brother. I’m sure if we were to point out to them that they are being the weaker brother they would be quite upset.
And these people seem to be relunctant to follow the advice in Romans 14:22 “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”
And I agree it is frustrating when people get offended over stupid stuff.
I must admit though when I myself was a young Christian I was for some time a weaker brother, concerned about what I ate and drank and how I observed certain days. I hope I did not inflict this on others.
i’m quite positive that i did. mostly to those friends of mine who were not christians. i am now doing what i can to make amends.
i’m quite positive that i did. mostly to those friends of mine who were not christians. i am now doing what i can to make amends.
v 12
So that, each of us will give an account of himself to God
v 19
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification
v 12
So that, each of us will give an account of himself to God
v 19
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification
Thanks Alison, I think v.13 fits in well with those two verses.
v.13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
And I love the way the Message puts it:
Forget about deciding what's right for each other. Here's what you need to be concerned about: that you don't get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is.
Life is often difficult so we need to be aware of not making it more difficult for someone else.
Thanks Alison, I think v.13 fits in well with those two verses.
v.13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
And I love the way the Message puts it:
Forget about deciding what's right for each other. Here's what you need to be concerned about: that you don't get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is.
Life is often difficult so we need to be aware of not making it more difficult for someone else.
v.22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.
It is wise to be sensitive to the situations we find ourselves in and sometimes the best approach is to keep our opinions to ourselves.
v.22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.
It is wise to be sensitive to the situations we find ourselves in and sometimes the best approach is to keep our opinions to ourselves.
v.1 (AMP) As for the man who is a weak believer, welcome him [into your fellowship], but not to criticize his opinions or pass judgment on his scruples or perplex him with discussions.
The NIV uses the phrase: "without quarreling over disputable matters"
Not everything in the Bible is completely clear there are "disputable matters". Yet even this is part of God's plan to teach us tolerance of others.
From the Message: “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.”
Yep, we all have our own histories to deal with.
(From Constable Commentary) “This section of Romans deals with Christian conduct when God does not specify exactly what we should do in every situation. In such cases some Christians will do one thing and others another, both within God's will.”
v.1 (AMP) As for the man who is a weak believer, welcome him [into your fellowship], but not to criticize his opinions or pass judgment on his scruples or perplex him with discussions.
The NIV uses the phrase: "without quarreling over disputable matters"
Not everything in the Bible is completely clear there are "disputable matters". Yet even this is part of God's plan to teach us tolerance of others.
From the Message: “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.”
Yep, we all have our own histories to deal with.
(From Constable Commentary) “This section of Romans deals with Christian conduct when God does not specify exactly what we should do in every situation. In such cases some Christians will do one thing and others another, both within God's will.”
v.6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
Christians are aiming to live to please the Lord. However we need to recognize that this may look different from Christian to Christian and different from time to time and place to place. So Paul’s instruction is “do not judge your brother” (v.10).
v.6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
Christians are aiming to live to please the Lord. However we need to recognize that this may look different from Christian to Christian and different from time to time and place to place. So Paul’s instruction is “do not judge your brother” (v.10).
v.15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.
The goal is to act in love. (From Constable Commentary) “Rights are to be laid aside in the interest of love.”
v.15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.
The goal is to act in love. (From Constable Commentary) “Rights are to be laid aside in the interest of love.”