CHAPTER FOURTEEN OUTLINE

 

Outline of the Chapter:

I. What you must not do. (1-12)

A. Do not exclude the weak brethren.

[1]. They belong to Jesus Christ.
[2]. Don't argue with them over doubtful matters.

B. The two parties: Freedom versus limitation

[1]. The strong should not despise the weak.
[2]. The weak -should not judge the strong.

C. Why?

[1]. It is not your responsibility to change anyone.

(a). He's not your servant.
(b). The Lord will do the work.
(c). He's well able to do it.

[2]. God can look upon a man's heart, you cannot.

(a). Differences represent honest convictions.
(b). God accepts both as honoring him.
(c). No man lives unto himself! we all are the Lord's.

[3]. Christ, himself has won the right to judge.

(a). He's the Lord of the living and dead.
(b). Both strong and weak must give account.

II. What you can do. (13-23)

A. Decide: Never cause a brother to stumble.

[1]. Conscience may be restraining him.
[2]. There are more important matters in life.

B. Observe certain guidelines.

[1]. When it threatens the peace in the church, drop it.
[2]. When it angers and offends an individual so as to prevent investigation and growth, stop.

C. Base your own personal convictions on the Word of God alone.

[1]. Between you and the Lord
[2]. Don't be hypocritical
[3]. If convictions are built on self-righteousness or compromise, it is sin.

 

The Fourteenth Chapter of Romans deals with the Christian's relationship to the "brethren." There are many things in this life that are not specifically covered in the moral law as found in the Old Testament and as repeated in the New. Being children of God, we've been called to liberty, but never are we to use our liberty for an occasion to the flesh. There are many areas in which we must be sensitive to the needs, strengths and weaknesses of others, especially our Christian brethren. Living For Christ in itself will be offensive to the lost man, this we can expect; but we cannot take our responsibility lightly when it comes to living righteously in joy and peace before "weaker" brethren and the lost within our own personal realm of influence.

Chapter Fourteen gives us some guidelines within which we can operate. These guidelines present to us some principles that must be considered when operating in areas that are not clearly defined and specifically stated within the scriptures. Paul recognized that in each local church there are mature as well as immature believers. He also realized that because of the variations of growth within any given individual church, problems would arise. Many Christians have the false notion that extreme legalism shows strong faith. This is not necessarily so, in fact often times the opposite is true, for legalism is a tremendous opportunity for the Christian to brag on ones' self-righteousness.

In the church today we have many differences in opinion when it comes to "worldly amusements" and so-called questionable practices. Paul shows us how to face and solve these particular problems. Paul does not list these practices, but does lay down some basic principles that must be followed if one is to come to the right conclusions.

Warren Wiersbe in his "Expository Outlines on the New Testament", outlines the chapter this way:

[1]. Am I fully convinced? (1-5)
[2]. Am I doing this unto the Lord? (6-9)
[3]. Will it stand the test at the Judgment Seat of Christ? (10-12)
[4]. Am I causing others to stumble? (13-21)
[5]. Am I doing this by faith? (22,23)
[6]. Am I pleasing myself or others? (15:1-7)

You might ask yourself these questions:

[1]. Does this please God?
[2]. Would you like the Lord to find you doing this when He comes?
[3]. Can you do it and ask God's blessings on it?
[4]. Would it cause a brother to stumble?
[5]. Would it be a bad testimony to the lost?

There are numerous other scriptures that deal with this subject, First Corinthians adds some insight. (1 Cor. 6:12) says, "But I will not be brought under the power of any." We should not be controlled by anything other than the Lord Jesus. (1 Cor. 10:23) says, "All things edify not." Some things do not serve as building blocks for yourself or others. (1Cor. 10:31), "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

Verse:

14:1 "Him that is weak..." contrast with (15:1), "We then that are strong..." See (1 Cor. 8:7-12)

"Disputations" - arguments, disagreements.

14:31 (1 Cor. 8:1)

14:4 "Who art thou?" - (Jam. 4:12; 3:1)

14:5 (Gal. 4:10; Col. 2:16)

14:6 (1 Cor. 10:31; 1 Tim. 4:3-5)

14:7 (Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:15; Rom. 6:11-16,19) We have a responsibility to live righteously before God and others.

14:8 "...we are the Lord's" - (Eph. 6:7; 1 Cor. 6:19,20; 7:23)

14:9 (Rom. 8:34; Acts 10:36,42)

14:10 "…why dost thou judge?" - (1 Cor. 10:29)

Context is judging the things mentioned in (verse 1-6).

"...we shall all stand before the judgment seat...'' (1 Cor. 3:11-16; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Tim. 5:24,25; Gal. 6:7-9; 1 Cor. 4:5).

14:11 "For it is written ... "- (Isa. 45:23)

"...every knee shall bow..." (Phil. 2:9-11)

14:12 "...every one ... shall give account..." - (1 Pet. 4:5; 2 Cor. 10:12)

14:13 "Let us not judge one another..." Motives often times are hard to discern. All things that could be right, become right or wrong based on motivation. Why do we do the things we do? (Jam. 4:11,12)

''...no man put a stumbling block..." - (1 Cor. 8:13)

14:14 "...there is nothing unclean of itself..." - (Acts 10:15; 1 Cor. 8:7,10; 1 Tim. 4:4,5; Col. 2:14)

14:15 (1 Cor. 8:11)

14:16 (Isa. 5:20; 1 Cor. 6:12)

14:17 "...the kingdom of God..." (Acts 1:3,6; Jn. 3:3-7; Lk. 17:20,21; 18:17; 9:2,27; Matt. 6:33)

"...righteousness, peace and joy..." These three things are the key to a Christian testimony. These are the things that should distinguish the saved from the lost.

"...in the Holy Ghost..." - qualified. There can be righteousness, joy and peace that are not God's...

14:18 "...serveth ... acceptable..." - The judgment seat of Christ. (Romans 14:10; 12:2)

See: (2 Cor. 5:9; Rom. 15:16; 2 Cor. 10:18; 2 Tim. 2:15; Eph. 5:10; Heb. 12:28; Phil. 4:18; 1 Pet. 2:5,2 0)

"...approved of men..." - men will recognize the sincerity and reality of truly heart motivated Christian service.

14:19 "...edify one another..." - (1 Cor. 8:1; 1 Thess. 5:11; Eph. 4:12,16; 2 Cor. 10:8; 13:10)

Edify - to build, construct, instruct, teach. An edifice is a building, same root word.

14:20 "For meat destroy not..." For = because. Don't let something insignificant cause division or strife.

"All things indeed are pure..." - (Tit. 1:15)

14:21 (1 Corinthians 8:13)

14:22 If God has given you the faith or particular conviction don't jam it down someone's throat... "have it to thyself before God.''

"Happy is..." - happiness is the absence of hypocrisy. (1 Jn. 3:22; 1 Cor. 10:33; Rom. 8:3-5)

14:23 "...he that doubteth is damned..." - damned - condemnation. See notes on (Romans 8:1; 13:2). The rule is "when in doubt, don't!''

"...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Rom. 10:17; Prov. 24:9; Jam. 4:17; 1 Jn. 3:17; 1 Cor. 8:12,13)