romans 14 commentary spurgeonromans 14 commentary spurgeon

Not that it is in the power of any man's conscience to alter the nature of the action in itself, but only as to himself. _There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit._ No condemnation: that is the beginning of the chapter. If they are dead, they have already given up their account, and let that suffice. 14 23) that it were evil to ask his father's blessing, that mispersuasion would make it become evil to him: but, if he should be as verily persuaded that it were good to curse his father, this would not make it become good. Whedon's Commentary Clarke's Commentary Verse Romans 14:23. The Pharisees taught people to plead conscience, when they made corban an excuse for denying relief to their parents, Matt 15 5, 6. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The judgment seat of Christ: This is the bema seat, equivalent to the judges seat in the Olympic Games. While thou destroyest thy brother thou art helping forward the devil's design, for he is the great destroyer; and, as much as in thee lies, thou art crossing the design of Christ, for he is the great Saviour, and dost not only offend thy brother, but offend Christ; for the work of salvation is that which his heart is upon. And why dost thou that art strong set at nought thy brother that is weak? Observe, The same for whom Christ died (v. 15) are here called the work of God; besides the work that is wrought for us there is a work to be wrought in us, in order to our salvation. Observe here. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, (Hebrew/Greek Search by English Definition), * 'Number Delimiters' only apply to 'Paragraph Order', Search verses, phrases, and topics (e.g. Romans 9:9. Pentateuch The doctrines of the book are considered and discussed under four main propositions: (1) All men are guilty before God (Jews and Gentiles alike). When Jesus was here among men, the world saw him in a certain sense, but yet in truth it did not see him at all. Have it to thyself, that is, enjoy the comfort of it in thy own bosom, and do not trouble others by the imprudent use of it, when it might give offence, and cause thy weak brother to stumble and fall." The better to insinuate the exhortation, he puts himself in; Let us not; as if he had said, "It is what I have resolved against, therefore do you leave it: but judge this rather, instead of censuring the practice of others, let us look to our own, that no man put a stumbling-block, or an occasion to fall, in his brother's way,"proskomma, e skandalon. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. He that will venture to do that which his own conscience suggests to him to be unlawful, when it is not so in itself, will by a like temptation be brought to do that which his conscience tells him is unlawful when it is really so. Wisdom Literature a. I. (2) All men need a Savior. The apostle, as a wise physician, prescribes proper remedies for the disease, which are made up of rules and reasons. He argues against both these jointly: we must not despise nor judge our brethren. or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? The strict Christian found it easy to judge his brother, writing him off as an unspiritual meat-eater-compromiser. If this is the case, we should let God deal with our brother. It was not only from the revelation made to Peter in this matter, but from the tenour and tendency of the whole gospel, and from the manifest design of Christ's death in general, that Paul learned to count nothing common or unclean. But the rules are general, and of standing use in the church, for the preservation of that Christian love which he had so earnestly pressed in the foregoing chapter as the fulfilling of the law. Nor must we act against the dictates of a doubting conscience. Charity to the souls of our brethren is the best charity. THIS passage is a piece of holy teaching set forth under the parable of rising in the morning and preparing for the work of the day. Divine honour is due to him, and must be paid. This, which had been bred in the bone with them, could hardly be got out of the flesh, even after they turned Christians; especially with some of them, who were not easily weaned from what they had long been wedded to. The Romans did it out of weakness, the Galatians did it out of wilfulness and wickedness; and therefore the apostle handles them thus differently. 1. For example, when some Christians from a Jewish background were offended that Gentile believers were not circumcised, Paul didnt cater to their legalistic demands. He is Lord of those that are living to rule them, of those that are dead to receive them and raise them up. What is it to be sanctified, but to be of God's mind? We must give account how we have spent our time, how we have improved our opportunities, what we have done and how we have done it. according to the flesh: who are Israelites; to whom , The Pastor's Parting Blessing (Romans 14:16-18) Pursuing the higher call of the Kingdom of God. Good praying, preaching, and discourse, may often, for want of prudence in ordering the time, the expression, and other circumstances to edification, be evil spoken of. There are many reasons why a Christian might be weak. Those who knew that all these things were abolished and done away by Christ's coming esteemed every day alike. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike: By bringing in the aspect of observing certain days, Paul lets us know that he is talking more about principles than specific issues. In the Epistle to the Hebrews our apostle tells us of the marvellous exploits which it has wrought in subduing kingdoms and obtaining promises, in quenching the , The Dual Nature and the Duel Within So that whenever God saith As I live, it is to be interpreted as swearing by himself; for it is God's prerogative to have life in himself: there is a further ratification of it there, The word is gone out of my mouth. Johannine Writings This is reasonable. Paul had faith in these things: I am persuaded that there is nothing unclean of itself; but he had it to himself, so as not to use his liberty to the offence of others. Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete), Matt 14 19; 15 36; Luke 9 16; John 6 11; Matt 26 26, 27; Acts 27 35. Pauline Epistles conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy In doubtful things, it is good keeping on the sure side of the hedge. This does not take away the need and the responsibility for admonishment (Romans 15:14) or rebuke (2 Timothy 4:2). Pauline Epistles We are apt, in such a case, to lay all the blame on that side. 3. 3 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. Secondly, The consideration of the love of Christ in dying for souls should make us very tender of the happiness and salvation of souls, and careful not to do any thing which may obstruct and hinder them. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. Here it seems to be taken more strictly; whatever is not of faith (that is, whatever is done while we are not clearly persuaded of the lawfulness of it), is a sin against conscience. Every knee and every tongue, either freely or by force. Shall we despise those whom Christ valued at so high a rate? (Romans 14:3-4) Judging our brother is inappropriate because we are not their masters. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. b. Eats only vegetables: As an example of a doubtful thing, Paul looks at those who refuse to eat meat for a spiritual reason. Remember that it is an inspired passage: although it consists of Christian courtesies addressed to different individuals, yet it was written by an apostle, and written not as an ordinary letter but as a part of the inspired volume. He understands the liberty that God has granted him, and uses it to the glory of God, with an eye to his wisdom and goodness in enlarging our allowance now under the gospel, and taking off the yoke of legal restraints; and he giveth God thanks for the variety of food he has, and the liberty he has to eat it, and that in those things his conscience is not fettered. (11-14) The urgency to love . This is his reason (v. 17, 18), which is reducible to this branch of exhortation. For it is written: As I live, says the LORD, This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. This particular case, thus determined, gives a general rule, That he who does a thing which he verily believes to be unlawful, however the thing be in itself, to him it is a sin. Major Prophets 1. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. We must not weaken those that are weak; that is to quench the smoking flax and to break the bruised reed. The Gospels We must take heed of saying or doing any thing which may occasion our brother to stumble or fall; the one signifies a less, the other a greater degree of mischief and offencethat which may be an occasion. 20 For meat destroy not the work of God. II. God sees not as man sees; and he is their master, and not we. John 14:19 . Children of God, born of the grandest of all parents, regenerated by the almighty energy of , THE SPIRIT OF BONDAGE AND OF ADOPTION. Poetical Books Have it to thyselfa rule to thyself (not to be imposed upon others, or made a rule to them), or a rejoicing to thyself. God is determined that it shall be so. Should not we be pleased with that which God is pleased with? i. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. (wpe), The Leading of the Spirit, the Secret Token of the Sons of God. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Use semicolons to separate groups: 'Gen;Jdg;Psa-Mal' or 'Rom 3-12;Mat 1:15;Mat 5:12-22', There are options set in 'Advanced Options', The Whole Bible (2.) For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. As to ourselves, it is joy in the Holy Ghostthat spiritual joy which is wrought by the blessed Spirit in the hearts of believers, which respects God as their reconciled Father and heaven as their expected home. i. But why do you judge your brother? Who are you to judge anothers servant? If the contending parties will but submit to this fair arbitration, each abate of his rigour, and sacrifice their differences to their graces, all will be well quickly. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. Whatever we do in religion, it will not turn to any good account, except we do it from a principle of faith, with a believing regard to the will of Christ as our rule, to the glory of Christ as our end, and to the righteousness of Christ as our plea. There was a difference among them about the distinction of meats and days; these are the two things specified. These words are not spoken to those who are dead in sin, but , Concern for Other Men's Souls Pauline Epistles This is a thing in which all the people of God are one, however they differ in other things; though some are weak and others are strong, yet both agree in this, not to live to themselves. Concerning days, v. 5. Johannine Writings Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Romans v. 1. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. This arises from that unchangeable law of our creation, which is, that our wills, in all their choices, motions, and directions, should follow the dictates of our understandings. The matter is left at large. Now if Christ paid so dearly for his dominion over souls and consciences, and has such a just and undisputed right to exercise that dominion, we must not so much as seem to invade it, nor intrench upon it, by judging the consciences of our brethren, and arraigning them at our bar. You think that he who eateth will fall by his presumption, or that he who eateth not will sink under the weight of his own fears and scruples; but if they have true faith, and an eye to God, the one in the intelligent use of his Christian liberty and the other in the conscientious forbearance of it, they shall be held upthe one in his integrity, and the other in his comfort. Because the stress of Christianity is not to be laid upon these things, nor are they at all essential to religion, either on the one side or on the other. Those who know most in this imperfect state, feel their own weakness most. Another rule here given is this, that in these doubtful things every one not only may, but must, walk according to the light that God hath given him. Because God hath received them; and we reflect upon him if we reject those whom he hath received. Did he think it worth while to deny himself so much for them as to die for them, and shall not we think it worth while to deny ourselves so little for them as abstaining from flesh comes to?with thy meat. How Can We All Use Our Creative Talents to Glorify God? And, in our past lives, we did indeed find sin to be very fruitful. It is grounded upon Christ's absolute sovereignty and dominion, which were the fruit and end of his death and resurrection. He that regards the daythat makes conscience of the observance of the Jewish fasts and festivals, not imposing it upon others, nor laying a stress upon it, but willing to be as he thinks on the surer side, as thinking there is no harm in resting from worldly labours, and worshipping God on those daysit is well. Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Because they are servants to their own master (v. 4): Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? Probably from Corinth, about A. D. 58. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Romans 6:10. Pentateuch Paul isnt telling these Christians to erase their differences; he tells them to rise above them as Christian brothers and sisters. Cookie Notice: To his own master he stands or falls. Error: Passwords should have at least 6 characters, Error: Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. 2. And this leads to another reason against judging and despising. Wisdom Literature (Romans 14:1-2) Receiving the weaker brother. What is Christianity but the serving of Christ? [1.] But in the epistle to the Galatians, where he deals with those that were originally Gentiles, but were influenced by some judaizing teachers, not only to believe such a distinction and to practise accordingly, but to lay a stress upon it as necessary to salvation, and to make the observance of the Jewish festivals public and congregational, here the case was altered, and it is charged upon them as the frustrating of the design of the gospel, falling from grace, Gal 4 9-11. First, It is not meat and drink: it does not consist either in using or in abstaining from such and such meats and drinks. 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