Chapter 14:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Acts 1 Corinthians
Romans 14
Concise Complete
The Jewish converts cautioned against judging, and
Gentile believers against despising one the other. (1-13) And the Gentiles
exhorted to take heed of giving offence in their use of indifferent things.
(14-23)
Verses 1-6
Differences of opinion prevailed even among the immediate followers of Christ
and their disciples. Nor did St. Paul attempt to end them. Compelled assent to
any doctrine, or conformity to outward observances without being convinced,
would be hypocritical and of no avail. Attempts for producing absolute oneness
of mind among Christians would be useless. Let not Christian fellowship be
disturbed with strifes of words. It will be good for us to ask ourselves, when
tempted to disdain and blame our brethren; Has not God owned them? and if he
has, dare I disown them? Let not the Christian who uses his liberty, despise his
weak brother as ignorant and superstitious. Let not the scrupulous believer find
fault with his brother, for God accepted him, without regarding the distinctions
of meats. We usurp the place of God, when we take upon us thus to judge the
thoughts and intentions of others, which are out of our view. The case as to the
observance of days was much the same. Those who knew that all these things were
done away by Christ's coming, took no notice of the festivals of the Jews. But
it is not enough that our consciences consent to what we do; it is necessary
that it be certified from the word of God. Take heed of acting against a
doubting conscience. We are all apt to make our own views the standard of truth,
to deem things certain which to others appear doubtful. Thus Christians often
despise or condemn each other, about doubtful matters of no moment. A thankful
regard to God, the Author and Giver of all our mercies, sanctifies and sweetens
them.
Verses 7-13
Though some are weak, and others are strong, yet all must agree not to live to
themselves. No one who has given up his name to Christ, is allowedly a
self-seeker; that is against true Christianity. The business of our lives is not
to please ourselves, but to please God. That is true Christianity, which makes
Christ all in all. Though Christians are of different strength, capacities, and
practices in lesser things, yet they are all the Lord's; all are looking and
serving, and approving themselves to Christ. He is Lord of those that are
living, to rule them; of those that are dead, to revive them, and raise them up.
Christians should not judge or despise one another, because both the one and the
other must shortly give an account. A believing regard to the judgment of the
great day, would silence rash judgings. Let every man search his own heart and
life; he that is strict in judging and humbling himself, will not be apt to
judge and despise his brother. We must take heed of saying or doing things which
may cause others to stumble or to fall. The one signifies a lesser, the other a
greater degree of offence; that which may be an occasion of grief or of guilt to
our brother.
Verses 14-18
Christ deals gently with those who have true grace, though they are weak in it.
Consider the design of Christ's death: also that drawing a soul to sin,
threatens the destruction of that soul. Did Christ deny himself for our
brethren, so as to die for them, and shall not we deny ourselves for them, so as
to keep from any indulgence? We cannot hinder ungoverned tongues from speaking
evil; but we must not give them any occasion. We must deny ourselves in many
cases what we may lawfully do, when our doing it may hurt our good name. Our
good often comes to be evil spoken of, because we use lawful things in an
uncharitable and selfish manner. As we value the reputation of the good we
profess and practise, let us seek that it may not be evil-spoken of.
Righteousness, peace, and joy, are words that mean a great deal. As to God, our
great concern is to appear before him justified by Christ's death, sanctified by
the Spirit of his grace; for the righteous Lord loveth righteousness. As to our
brethren, it is to live in peace, and love, and charity with them; following
peace with all men. As to ourselves, it is joy in the Holy Ghost; that spiritual
joy wrought by the blessed Spirit in the hearts of believers, which respects God
as their reconciled Father, and heaven as their expected home. Regard to Christ
in doing our duties, alone can make them acceptable. Those are most pleasing to
God that are best pleased with him; and they abound most in peace and joy in the
Holy Ghost. They are approved by wise and good men; and the opinion of others is
not to be regarded.
Verses 19-23
Many wish for peace, and talk loudly for it, who do not follow the things that
make for peace. Meekness, humility, self-denial, and love, make for peace. We
cannot edify one another, while quarrelling and contending. Many, for meat and
drink, destroy the work of God in themselves; nothing more destroys the soul
than pampering and pleasing the flesh, and fulfilling the lusts of it; so others
are hurt, by wilful offence given. Lawful things may be done unlawfully, by
giving offence to brethren. This takes in all indifferent things, whereby a
brother is drawn into sin or trouble; or has his graces, his comforts, or his
resolutions weakened. Hast thou faith? It is meant of knowledge and clearness as
to our Christian liberty. Enjoy the comfort of it, but do not trouble others by
a wrong use of it. Nor may we act against a doubting conscience. How excellent
are the blessings of Christ's kingdom, which consists not in outward rites and
ceremonies, but in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost! How
preferable is the service of God to all other services! and in serving him we
are not called to live and die to ourselves, but unto Christ, whose we are, and
whom we ought to serve.
Chapter 14:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Acts 1 Corinthians
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
