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Romans 14:22
Verse
Context
The Law of Love
21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble. 22Keep your belief about such matters between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin.
Sermons
Milton Green
John PiperJohn Piper
Zac Poonen
Thomas Cook
James Blaine ChapmanSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Hast thou faith? - The term faith seems to signify in this place a full persuasion in a man's mind that he is right, that what he does is lawful, and has the approbation of God and his conscience. Dr. Taylor has a judicious note on this passage. "There is no necessity," says he, " for reading the first clause interrogatively; and it seems to be more agreeable to the structure of the Greek to render it, Thou hast faith; as if he had said: 'I own thou hast a right persuasion.' Farther, there is an anadiplosis in εχεις, and εχε the first simply signifies thou hast, the latter, hold fast. Thou hast a right persuasion concerning thy Christian liberty; and I advise thee to hold that persuasion steadfastly, with respect to thyself in the sight of God. Εχω have, has frequently this emphatical signification. See Mat 25:29, etc." Happy is he that condemneth not, etc. - That man only can enjoy peace of conscience who acts according to the full persuasion which God has given him of the lawfulness of his conduct: whereas he must be miserable who allows himself in the practice of any thing for which his conscience upbraids and accuses him. This is a most excellent maxim, and every genuine Christian should be careful to try every part of his conduct by it. If a man have not peace in his own bosom, he cannot be happy; and no man can have peace who sins against his conscience. If a man's passions or appetite allow or instigate him to a particular thing, let him take good heed that his conscience approve what his passions allow, and that he live not the subject of continual self-condemnation and reproach. Even the man who has the too scrupulous conscience had better, in such matters as are in question, obey its erroneous dictates than violate this moral feeling, and live only to condemn the actions he is constantly performing.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Hast thou faith--on such matters? have it to thyself--within thine own breast before God--a most important clause. It is not mere sincerity, or a private opinion, of which the apostle speaks; it is conviction as to what is the truth and will of God. If thou hast formed this conviction in the sight of God, keep thyself in this frame before Him. Of course, this is not to be over-pressed, as if it were wrong to discuss such points at all with our weaker brethren. All that is here condemned is such a zeal for small points as endangers Christian love. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that which he alloweth--allows himself to do nothing, about the lawfulness of which he has scruples; does only what he neither knows nor fears to be sinful.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And he that doubteth,.... Or makes a difference between meats and meats, or is in suspense whether any difference should be observed or not, is damned; not with everlasting damnation, which is not the consequent of, nor connected with such an action, as eating of a thing indifferent, with a scrupulous conscience; but such an one is condemned in his own conscience; he is self-condemned, his conscience condemns him for what he himself does; and he is self-condemned in judging and censuring others, for the same things: so the Syriac renders it, , "he becomes guilty", or he contracts guilt to himself, or is self-condemned; and so the Arabic, "he is already condemned", because he eateth not of faith: or of a full persuasion in his own mind that he is right in eating; he halts between two opinions, and is doubtful in his own mind what is best to do, and therefore, whilst this is his case, he ought to refrain: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. This is a general rule, or axiom, which is not only applicable to the present case, but to any other, whether of a natural, civil, moral, or evangelic kind: "whatsoever does not spring from faith", as the Arabic version renders it, cannot be excused of sin; whatever is not agreeable to the word and doctrine of faith, ought not to be done; whatever is done without faith, or not in the exercise of it, is culpable, for without faith nothing can be pleasing to God; and whatever is contrary to the persuasion of a man's own mind, is so far criminal, as it is a violation of his conscience; whatever men do, especially in a religious way, they ought to make faith of it, or to be fully persuaded of it in their own minds, or they act amiss: in the Arabic version, the Complutensian edition, the Alexandrian copy, and some others, Rom 16:25, "now to him that is of power", &c. are here added; which have induced some to think, that the apostle intended to have finished his epistle here; but having more time, and other things occurred to write of, he proceeded. Next: Romans Chapter 15
Tyndale Open Study Notes
14:22 keep it between yourself and God: Paul did not contest the freedom of the strong believers, but he instructed them to limit the expression of their freedom out of love for fellow believers so that the whole Christian community could be built up. • Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty: Guilt could come from harming the faith of the weak believers. Christian freedom is only worthwhile when it can be lived out without bringing such guilt.
Romans 14:22
The Law of Love
21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble. 22Keep your belief about such matters between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Fury of Fire) 07 - Close to Being Cursed
By Milton Green3.5K1:25:59CursedMAT 6:33ROM 14:221CO 1:171CO 3:142TI 2:15JAS 1:221PE 2:2The video discussed the importance of receiving revelation from the Word of God, even if it conflicts with previous teachings or traditions. The speaker emphasized the need to follow the teachings in the Bible rather than the traditions of men. The video also highlighted the importance of unity within the body of Christ and the desire to involve others in the ministry. The speaker shared a personal story about someone wanting to show the video in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but being warned that some people may not understand or accept the message.
(Church Leadership) 16. Questions and Answers
By Zac Poonen1.6K1:13:18PRO 22:6MAT 6:33MAT 19:26ROM 14:221CO 10:13EPH 6:42TI 3:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation in our personal devotion to God before engaging in ministry. He compares this foundation to the floors of a building, stating that without a solid foundation, our lives and ministries will collapse. The speaker also shares a personal anecdote about neglecting time with his family for ministry, highlighting the importance of balancing both. He encourages listeners to prioritize their personal devotion to God and to build their families on a foundation of prayer and weeping for their loved ones.
Do Not Destroy the Work of God
By John Piper1.5K41:13MAT 6:33ROM 12:1ROM 14:2ROM 14:15ROM 14:20ROM 14:22In this sermon, John Piper emphasizes the importance of not putting stumbling blocks or hindrances in the way of fellow believers. He urges Christians to love one another, especially the strong, and not to grieve or tempt the weak with their freedom in matters of food, days, or wine. The sermon highlights that morality and sin are determined by how we handle our weakness and strength, and that it is not wrong to be weak or strong. Ultimately, Piper calls on believers to act in love and help their brothers and sisters in Christ reach heaven, rather than leading them towards destruction.
How to Welcome a Weak Brother
By John Piper1.2K41:59ROM 14:1ROM 14:22ROM 15:1ROM 15:5ROM 15:13In this sermon, the speaker focuses on Romans 14 and the issue of how a church can maintain harmony despite differences in beliefs and practices. The main theme is love for one another, and the speaker emphasizes the importance of not passing judgment on fellow believers. The speaker addresses both the weak and the strong in the church, reminding them that they have one master and judge, who is not any individual within the church. The sermon encourages Christians to focus on their own accountability to God rather than trying to judge others.
Obedience and the Way of the Cross
By Zac Poonen7471:09:00PRO 14:14ISA 53:12JHN 7:37JHN 12:24JHN 12:27JHN 15:2JHN 15:5JHN 15:8JHN 15:16ROM 14:222CO 8:121JN 2:6
This sermon emphasizes the importance of falling into the ground and dying to bear much fruit, following the way of the cross, and being filled with the Holy Spirit continuously. It encourages believers to choose the path of self-denial, faithfulness, and obedience to God's will, even in times of pressure and trouble, to experience spiritual growth and the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
The Arbiter of the Heart
By Thomas Cook0ROM 14:22ROM 15:131CO 8:7PHP 4:7COL 3:151TI 1:5Thomas Cook preaches on the importance of maintaining a good conscience towards God daily, emphasizing the necessity of conscientiousness and the duty to obey one's conscience. He warns about the dangers of relying solely on conscience without knowledge and sound judgment, using John Newton's transformation from a slave-trader to a hymn writer as an example. Cook highlights the significance of the peace of God as an arbiter in guiding Christians to discern between good and evil, urging believers to prioritize this deep spiritual peace above all else to avoid moral pitfalls and maintain a close relationship with Christ.
Questions/answers on the Sacraments of the Church
By James Blaine Chapman0MRK 16:16JHN 6:53ROM 14:221CO 11:30COL 2:12James Blaine Chapman addresses various questions related to the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, emphasizing the importance of understanding the meaning of the sacrament before partaking in it, the consequences of irreverence and carelessness in celebrating it, and debunking the Roman Catholic theory of transubstantiation. He clarifies that drawing spiritual life from Christ is essential, regardless of partaking in the sacrament, and highlights the significance of faith in Christ for salvation and eternal life.
(Practical Discipleship) 3. Discipleship and Money Matters
By Zac Poonen0NUM 18:20PRO 3:9PRO 6:6MAT 6:24MAT 6:33LUK 16:13ROM 14:222CO 9:71TI 6:10JAS 1:5Zac Poonen preaches on the importance of choosing between serving God or Mammon (money and material riches), emphasizing that disciples of Jesus cannot love both. He highlights the danger of money hindering one's discipleship and the need to despise money in order to fully love God. Poonen stresses the significance of righteousness in money matters, including making restitution for past wrongs and avoiding debt. He also addresses the importance of faithfulness in handling money, giving generously to God's work, and being wise in helping the poor. Additionally, he discusses the challenges faced by full-time Christian workers, the principles of salaries and savings, and seeking God's wisdom in financial decisions.
Conscience, the Umpire of God
By George Kulp0PSA 139:23PRO 20:27ACT 24:16ROM 2:15ROM 14:22COL 3:231TI 1:5HEB 13:181PE 3:161JN 3:20George Kulp preaches on the power and significance of conscience, emphasizing its role as a witness, judge, and recorder of our actions and thoughts. He illustrates how conscience, being a faculty of the soul, is like a magic ring that warns us against sin and serves as God's umpire within us. Kulp highlights that an enlightened conscience aligns with God's will and Word, guiding us along His straight paths, and stresses the importance of maintaining a good conscience to avoid eternal condemnation.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Hast thou faith? - The term faith seems to signify in this place a full persuasion in a man's mind that he is right, that what he does is lawful, and has the approbation of God and his conscience. Dr. Taylor has a judicious note on this passage. "There is no necessity," says he, " for reading the first clause interrogatively; and it seems to be more agreeable to the structure of the Greek to render it, Thou hast faith; as if he had said: 'I own thou hast a right persuasion.' Farther, there is an anadiplosis in εχεις, and εχε the first simply signifies thou hast, the latter, hold fast. Thou hast a right persuasion concerning thy Christian liberty; and I advise thee to hold that persuasion steadfastly, with respect to thyself in the sight of God. Εχω have, has frequently this emphatical signification. See Mat 25:29, etc." Happy is he that condemneth not, etc. - That man only can enjoy peace of conscience who acts according to the full persuasion which God has given him of the lawfulness of his conduct: whereas he must be miserable who allows himself in the practice of any thing for which his conscience upbraids and accuses him. This is a most excellent maxim, and every genuine Christian should be careful to try every part of his conduct by it. If a man have not peace in his own bosom, he cannot be happy; and no man can have peace who sins against his conscience. If a man's passions or appetite allow or instigate him to a particular thing, let him take good heed that his conscience approve what his passions allow, and that he live not the subject of continual self-condemnation and reproach. Even the man who has the too scrupulous conscience had better, in such matters as are in question, obey its erroneous dictates than violate this moral feeling, and live only to condemn the actions he is constantly performing.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Hast thou faith--on such matters? have it to thyself--within thine own breast before God--a most important clause. It is not mere sincerity, or a private opinion, of which the apostle speaks; it is conviction as to what is the truth and will of God. If thou hast formed this conviction in the sight of God, keep thyself in this frame before Him. Of course, this is not to be over-pressed, as if it were wrong to discuss such points at all with our weaker brethren. All that is here condemned is such a zeal for small points as endangers Christian love. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that which he alloweth--allows himself to do nothing, about the lawfulness of which he has scruples; does only what he neither knows nor fears to be sinful.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And he that doubteth,.... Or makes a difference between meats and meats, or is in suspense whether any difference should be observed or not, is damned; not with everlasting damnation, which is not the consequent of, nor connected with such an action, as eating of a thing indifferent, with a scrupulous conscience; but such an one is condemned in his own conscience; he is self-condemned, his conscience condemns him for what he himself does; and he is self-condemned in judging and censuring others, for the same things: so the Syriac renders it, , "he becomes guilty", or he contracts guilt to himself, or is self-condemned; and so the Arabic, "he is already condemned", because he eateth not of faith: or of a full persuasion in his own mind that he is right in eating; he halts between two opinions, and is doubtful in his own mind what is best to do, and therefore, whilst this is his case, he ought to refrain: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. This is a general rule, or axiom, which is not only applicable to the present case, but to any other, whether of a natural, civil, moral, or evangelic kind: "whatsoever does not spring from faith", as the Arabic version renders it, cannot be excused of sin; whatever is not agreeable to the word and doctrine of faith, ought not to be done; whatever is done without faith, or not in the exercise of it, is culpable, for without faith nothing can be pleasing to God; and whatever is contrary to the persuasion of a man's own mind, is so far criminal, as it is a violation of his conscience; whatever men do, especially in a religious way, they ought to make faith of it, or to be fully persuaded of it in their own minds, or they act amiss: in the Arabic version, the Complutensian edition, the Alexandrian copy, and some others, Rom 16:25, "now to him that is of power", &c. are here added; which have induced some to think, that the apostle intended to have finished his epistle here; but having more time, and other things occurred to write of, he proceeded. Next: Romans Chapter 15
Tyndale Open Study Notes
14:22 keep it between yourself and God: Paul did not contest the freedom of the strong believers, but he instructed them to limit the expression of their freedom out of love for fellow believers so that the whole Christian community could be built up. • Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty: Guilt could come from harming the faith of the weak believers. Christian freedom is only worthwhile when it can be lived out without bringing such guilt.