romans 14 commentary spurgeon

6. On the other hand, another, who is weak, is dissatisfied in this point, is not clear in his Christian liberty, but rather inclines to think that the meats forbidden by the law remain still unclean; and therefore, to keep at a distance from them, he will eat no flesh at all, but eateth herbs, contenting himself with only the fruits of the earth. General Epistles General Epistles These words are not spoken to those who are dead in sin, but , Concern for Other Men's Souls And, in our past lives, we did indeed find sin to be very fruitful. They stand or fall before their own Master, God and God is able to make those meat eaters stand. 2. Christ will be the judge, and he has both authority and ability to determine men's eternal state according to their works, and before him we shall stand as persons to be tried, and to give up an account, expecting our final doom from him, which will be eternally conclusive. The nature of true Christianity, what it is: it is here called, The kingdom of God; it is a religion intended to rule us, a kingdom: it stands in a true and hearty subjection to God's power and dominion. Blessing the creatures in the name of God before we use them, and blessing the name of God for them after, are both included; for eulogein and eucharistein are used promiscuously. We live to glorify him in all the actions and affairs of life; we die, whether a natural or a violent death, to glorify him, and to go to be glorified with him. Many a one allows himself in practice to do that which yet in his judgment and conscience he condemns himself forallows it for the sake of the pleasure, profit, or credit of itallows it in conformity to the custom; and yet whilst he does it, and pleas for it, his own heart gives him the lie, and his conscience condemns him for it. Those who are weak must be received, but not to doubtful disputations, v. 1. Here the apostle speaks of the distinction of meats and days as a thing indifferent, when it went no further than the opinion and practice of some particular persons, who had been trained up all their days to such observances, and therefore were the more excusable if they with difficulty parted with them. Paul reminds us that it isnt our place to pass judgment on any fellow Christian. "I know and am persuadedI am fully persuaded, I am acquainted with my Christian liberty, and am satisfied in it, without any doubt or scruple, that there is nothing unclean of itself, that is, no kind of meat that lies under any ceremonial uncleanness, nor is forbidden to be eaten, if it be food proper for human bodies." (2.) a. Would you prayerfully consider a gift of support today? have it to thyself before God. 2. Date. (2.) [1.] Think what thou destroyestthe work of God, whose work is honourable and glorious; think for what thou destroyest itfor meat, which was but for the belly, and the belly for it. There was a difference among them about the distinction of meats and days; these are the two things specified. Because God hath received them; and we reflect upon him if we reject those whom he hath received. Such censures as these discovered a great deal of rashness and uncharitableness, and would doubtless tend much to the alienating of affection. If this is the case, we should let God deal with our brother. And all between is full of grace and truth. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. a. He is happy that has peace and quietness within, for the testimony of conscience will be a special cordial in troublesome times. 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. The works of peace and comfort are destroyed by such an offence given; take heed of it therefore; do not undo that which God hath done. according to the flesh: who are Israelites; to whom , The Pastor's Parting Blessing When you were under the law, sin did get dominion over you; that law which was ordained to life, worked towards death. 1. These are some of the essentials of Christianity, things in which all the people of God are agreed, in the pursuit of which we must spend our zeal, and which we must mind with an excelling care. This epistle is supposed to have been written some time before that to the Galatians. On the other hand, he that regards not the daythat does not make a difference between one day and another, does not call one day holy and another profane, one day lucky and another unlucky, but esteems every day alikehe does not do it out of a spirit of opposition, contradiction, or contempt of his brother. Probably, the use of both judge and show contempt is meant to have application to both the strict and the free individuals. So here, Do not use your knowledge and strength in such a manner as to give occasion to people to call it presumption and loose walking, and disobedience to God's law. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point A believing regard to the judgment of the great day would silence all these rash judgings: Why dost thou that art weak judge thy brother that is strong? (2.) The Old Testament Pentateuch [2.] We are apt, in such a case, to lay all the blame on that side. The apostle having, in the former chapter, directed our conduct one towards another in civil things, and prescribed the sacred laws of justice, peaceableness, and order, to be observed by us as members of the commonwealth, comes in this and part of the following chapter in like manner to direct our demeanour one towards another in sacred things, which pertain more immediately to conscience and religion, and which we observe as members of the church. 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. Let all these differences be referred to the arbitration of Christ at the great day. If , Romans, but not Romanists 1. 1. A verification email has been sent to the address you provided. Poetical Books For it is written: As I live, says the LORD, "Romans 16:24 Though bodily exercise alone profits little, yet, as it is guided by inward fear and reverence, it is accepted. Its likely they thought they were the strong ones, and the meat-eaters were the weak ones. We may offer advice to others about doubtful things, but should never judge them. (1.) When we admonish or rebuke, we do it over clear Scriptural principles, not over doubtful things. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Romans 5:1. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Many do for meat and drink destroy the work of God in themselves (nothing more destructive to eh soul than pampering and pleasing the flesh, and fulfilling the lusts of it), so likewise in others, by wilful offence given. 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. Concerning meats (v. 2): One believeth that he may eat all thingshe is well satisfied that the ceremonial distinction of meats into clean and unclean is no longer in force, but that every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused; nothing unclean of itself, v. 14. conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy Luke-Acts 2018 David Guzik No distribution beyond personal use without permission, The Whole Bible Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. The Gospels Several kinds of meat were forbidden to the Jews, that in that, as in other things, they might be a peculiar and separate people, Lev 11 44; Deut 14 2, 3. Receive the one who is weak in the faith: These are words to take seriously. His own clearness in this matter. Is made weak, that is, takes occasion to show his weakness by his censures and scruples. Minor Prophets Or why do you show contempt for your brother? Major Prophets But here is a caution he gives to those who had not that clearness in this matter which he had: To him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, though it be his error, yet to him it is unclean. Historical Books Surely we serve a good Master, who makes peace and joy so essential to our religion. For example, when some Christians from a Jewish background were offended that Gentile believers were not circumcised, Paul didnt cater to their legalistic demands. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. Sin is the transgression of the law. Luke-Acts If a weak Christian doubts whether it be lawful to eat flesh, while he remains under that doubt he had best forbear, till he be fully persuaded in his own mind. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. Johannine Writings 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. Observe his description of true Christians, taken from their end and aim (v. 7, 8), and the ground of it, v. 9. ( Romans 14 - David Guzik Commentary on the Bible) You ( su) - first in the sentence for emphasis and "in contrast to the Lord" (Vincent). The Pharisees taught people to plead conscience, when they made corban an excuse for denying relief to their parents, Matt 15 5, 6. The former is a stumbling-block, that gives our brother a great shake, and is a hindrance and discouragement to him; but this is an occasion to fall. There are things God may challenge us to give up, but we go on approving them in our life thus we condemn ourselves. Though it be but a little folly, it may be like a dead fly, very prejudicial to one that is in reputation for wisdom and honour, Eccl 10 1. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind: In such issues, Paul is willing to leave it up to the conscience of the individual. 4. But this would not serve any more than Paul's erroneous conscience would justify his rage against Christianity (Acts 26 9), or theirs, John 16 2. We find Jews at Rome believing, Acts 28 24. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. Let not the reproach arise from any default of ours; as 1 Tim 4 12, Let no man despise thee, that is, do not make thyself despicable. When we are ready to reproach and reflect upon the name and memory of those that are dead and gone, and to pass a censure upon them (which some the rather do, because such judgments of the dead are more likely to pass uncontrolled and uncontradicted), we must consider that Christ is Lord of the dead, as well as of the living. Perhaps they refused it because they feared it was meat sacrificed to a pagan god (as in 1 Corinthians 8). "Let it suffice that you have hitherto continued in this uncharitable practice, and do so no more." True love would make us tender of their peace and purity, and beget a regard to their consciences as well as to our own. To the same purport (v. 21) he recommends it to our care not to give offence to any one by the use of lawful things: It is good neither to eat flesh nor to drink wine; these are things lawful indeed and comfortable, but not necessary to the support of human life, and therefore we may, and must, deny ourselves in them, rather than give offence. (Romans 14:14-15) Destroying a brother makes a privilege wrong. i. It is true we cannot hinder loose and ungoverned tongues from speaking evil of us, and of the best things we have; but we must not (if we can help it) give them any occasion to do it. Who are you to judge anothers servant? 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. Not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brothers way: We might stumble or cause our brother to fall in two ways. The Jewish religion consisted much in meats and drinks (Heb 9 10), abstaining from some meats religiously (Lev 11 2), eating other meats religiously, as in several of the sacrifices, part of which were to be eaten before the Lord: but all those appointments are now abolished and are no more, Col 2 21, 22. Passwords should have at least 6 characters. The spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord, and it is a dangerous thing to debauch and put a force upon conscience, though it be under a mistake. But God has received those Christians who eat meat. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. In judging and censuring our brethren, we meddle with that which does not belong to us: we have work enough to do at home; and, if we must needs be judging, let us exercise our faculty upon our own hearts and ways.To his own master he stands or falls; that is, his doom will be according to his master's sentence, and not according to ours. The Leading of the Spirit, the Secret Token of the Sons of God January 1, 1970 The Leading of the Spirit, the Secret Token of the Sons of God "As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."Romans viii. A strong emphasis in Spurgeon's preaching was God's grace and sovereignty over man's helpless state. Or why do you show contempt for your brother? . 2. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: He is as much the Son of God as he was the Son of man. Those who know most in this imperfect state, feel their own weakness most. What is Christianity but the serving of Christ? 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Bishop Sanderson, in his 34th sermon, upon 1 Tim 4 4, justly makes this observation: It appears by this that saying grace (as we commonly call it, perhaps from 1 Cor 10 30) before and after meat was the common known practice of the church, among Christians of all sorts, weak and strong: an ancient, commendable, apostolical, Christian practice, derived down from Christ's example through all the ages of the church, Matt 14 19; 15 36; Luke 9 16; John 6 11; Matt 26 26, 27; Acts 27 35. 5. I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself , Peace: A Fact and A Feeling 5001 North Oak Trafficway Kansas City, Missouri 64118 Visit Art thou satisfied that thou mayest eat all meats, and observe all days (except the Lord's day) alike? GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation. 1. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. The matter is left at large. 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. But now it is winter, and the sun is gone, and the banqueting-house is closed. CHILDREN are expected to bear some likeness to their parent. It is paid to God through him as Mediator. Take heed of acting contrary to the dictates of a doubting conscience. Should not we be pleased with that which God is pleased with? (Romans 14:13) Summary: dont make it an issue of judging, but dont use your liberty to stumble another brother. Christ is the gain we aim at, living and dying. 3. As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.Romans viii. Of grief to our brother, "One that is weak, and thinks it unlawful to eat such and such meats, will be greatly troubled to see thee eat them, out of a concern for the honour of the law which he thinks forbids them, and for the good of thy soul which he thinks is wronged by them, especially when thou dost it wilfully and with a seeming presumption, and not with that tenderness and that care to give satisfaction to thy weak brother which would become thee." No thanks to thee if they be not destroyed; by doing that which has a tendency to it, thou dost manifest a great opposition to Christ. 21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Perhaps they refused the meat because it wasnt kosher, and they stuck to Jewish dietary regulations and traditions. 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. It is a generous piece of self-denial, for which we have Paul's example (1 Cor 8 13), If meat make my brother to offend; he does not say, I will eat no meat, that is to destroy himself; but I will eat no flesh, that is to deny himself, while the world stands. c. Acceptable to God and approved by men: Serving God with a heart for His righteousness and peace and joy is the kind of service that is acceptable in His sight, and will be approved by men. 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Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill case, should... Because they feared it was meat sacrificed to a pagan God ( as in 1 Corinthians 8 ) Destroying brother! We reflect upon him if we reject those whom he hath received them ; and we upon! Of a doubting conscience these discovered a great deal of rashness and uncharitableness and! It suffice that you have hitherto continued in this uncharitable practice, and they stuck to dietary. That has peace and joy so essential to our religion are weak must be received, but should judge... Romans 14:13 ) Summary: dont make romans 14 commentary spurgeon an issue of judging but! Both the strict and the meat-eaters were the strong ones, and free... `` let it suffice that you have hitherto continued in this imperfect state feel! Gone, and the free individuals who eat meat hath received them ; and we reflect upon him we...

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