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Romans 14Romans 14The Scope of The Scope of

FellowshipFellowship

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Understanding Romans Understanding Romans 1414

•Must be true to the text & its Must be true to the text & its contextcontext

•Must be true to all the BibleMust be true to all the Bible•Must not contradict truthMust not contradict truth•Must not violate God’s Must not violate God’s

charactercharacter•Must not promote fellowship Must not promote fellowship

with sin & errorwith sin & error

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Romans 14:1-15:7:Romans 14:1-15:7:OutlineOutline•Defining the Problem: Defining the Problem:

Doubtful Doubtful Disputations – Disputations – 14:1-1214:1-12

•The Remedy that Makes for The Remedy that Makes for Peace - Peace - 14:13-2314:13-23

•An Appeal for Unity Rather An Appeal for Unity Rather than than Disputes in Matters of Disputes in Matters of Liberty Liberty – – 15:1-715:1-7

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Romans 14:1-15:7Romans 14:1-15:7Text & ContextText & Context

Matters which are:Matters which are:•Clean – Clean – 14:1414:14•Good – Good – 14:1614:16

•Acceptable to God – Acceptable to God – 14:1814:18•Pure – Pure – 14:2014:20

•No condemnation - No condemnation - 14:2214:22

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Romans 14:1-15:7Romans 14:1-15:7Text & ContextText & Context

Immediate ContextImmediate Context

•13:11-1413:11-14 – No moral sins– No moral sins

•16:17-1916:17-19 – No doctrinal – No doctrinal sinssins

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Romans 14:1-15:7Romans 14:1-15:7Text & ContextText & Context

•Col. 3:5-11Col. 3:5-11 (Put sin to death) (Put sin to death)•Gal. 5:19-21Gal. 5:19-21 (Works of flesh)(Works of flesh)•Eph. 5:11-14Eph. 5:11-14 (Reprove sin) (Reprove sin)

•2 Cor. 6:142 Cor. 6:14 (No unequal yoking) (No unequal yoking)•2 Jno. 9-112 Jno. 9-11 (No fellowship w/ sin) (No fellowship w/ sin)

Distant ContextDistant Context

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Romans 14:Romans 14:Matters Indifferent to Matters Indifferent to GodGod

•Herb eater “weak”, not sinfulHerb eater “weak”, not sinful•Equally right to eat or abstainEqually right to eat or abstain•Sinful to condemn meat eater Sinful to condemn meat eater •Sinful to despise herb eaterSinful to despise herb eater

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Romans 14:Romans 14:Matters Indifferent to Matters Indifferent to GodGod

•Eat or not eat “to the Lord”Eat or not eat “to the Lord”•Eating meat “clean” & “good” Eating meat “clean” & “good” •““All things are pure”All things are pure”•God made each “to stand”God made each “to stand”•God “received” both partiesGod “received” both parties

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Romans 14:1-15:7Romans 14:1-15:7Text & ContextText & Context

To have Romans 14 address issuesTo have Romans 14 address issueswhich constitute sin violates thewhich constitute sin violates the

text and its contexttext and its context

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““The teaching in Romans 14The teaching in Romans 14, then, , then, speaks to the practical circumstance in speaks to the practical circumstance in which we find ourselves. Good men which we find ourselves. Good men disagree. We don’t like it and our disagree. We don’t like it and our consciences are tested by our consciences are tested by our disagreements, but they remain a fact disagreements, but they remain a fact of life…of life…

““Does that mean, then, that we should Does that mean, then, that we should wink at sin? No. It means that we wink at sin? No. It means that we acknowledge that acknowledge that we are not always we are not always certain about sincertain about sin…”…”

ChristianitChristianity y

MagazineMagazine April April 1989, 1989, page 6page 6

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“…“…Of course, in my own mind, Of course, in my own mind, when a brother violates when a brother violates scriptural teaching, he sins. If I scriptural teaching, he sins. If I say you are wrong, I say you sin say you are wrong, I say you sin (or you consent to it). There are (or you consent to it). There are no big and little sinsno big and little sins, no relevant , no relevant and irrelevant instructions…”and irrelevant instructions…”

ChristianitChristianity y

MagazineMagazine April April 1989, 1989, page 6page 6

12Jno. 17:17; 8:32; Eph. 5:17Jno. 17:17; 8:32; Eph. 5:17Jno. 17:17; 8:32; Eph. 5:17Jno. 17:17; 8:32; Eph. 5:17

ChristianiChristianity ty

MagazineMagazine April April 1989, 1989, page 6page 6““All of God’s instruction are equally All of God’s instruction are equally

importantimportant (though, as we shall see in (though, as we shall see in subsequent articles, subsequent articles, all may not be all may not be equally clearequally clear) – whether dealing with ) – whether dealing with the the identity of the churchidentity of the church, the Christian , the Christian and war, the and war, the behavior of women in the behavior of women in the assemblyassembly, or , or marriage and divorcemarriage and divorce….”….”

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“…“…DisobedienceDisobedience is disobedience, is disobedience, and and sinsin is sin. So, the statement is sin. So, the statement that I make when I work together that I make when I work together with a brother with whom I disagree with a brother with whom I disagree is that, is that, despite our disagreementdespite our disagreement, ‘to , ‘to his own master he standeth or his own master he standeth or falleth’ (verse 4).”falleth’ (verse 4).”

ChristianiChristianity ty

Magazine Magazine April, April, 1989, 1989, page 6page 6

2 Corinthians 6:14-2 Corinthians 6:14-1616

2 Corinthians 6:14-2 Corinthians 6:14-1616

14Romans 14:1 & 2 John 9-Romans 14:1 & 2 John 9-1111

Romans 14:1 & 2 John 9-Romans 14:1 & 2 John 9-1111

ChristianiChristianity ty

Magazine Magazine May, May, 1989, 1989, page 6page 6““It is obvious that It is obvious that Christians sometimes Christians sometimes

disagreedisagree about scriptural instruction, even about scriptural instruction, even inin matters of considerable moral and matters of considerable moral and doctrinal importdoctrinal import. In spite of these . In spite of these disagreements, we work and worship disagreements, we work and worship together, leaving many together, leaving many matters of matters of individual judgmentindividual judgment in the hands of God. in the hands of God. That behavior… is, I believe, That behavior… is, I believe, the issue the issue addressed in Romans 14addressed in Romans 14 (see article (see article number 3).”number 3).”

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Putting Sinful Doctrines & Putting Sinful Doctrines & Practices into Practices into Romans 14Romans 14• Violates context (no moral or Violates context (no moral or

doctrinal sins)doctrinal sins)• Puts God into fellowship with sinPuts God into fellowship with sin

(14:3, 4, 6, 18, 22; 15:7)(14:3, 4, 6, 18, 22; 15:7)• Brings sin into the churchBrings sin into the church (14:17; (14:17;

15:5)15:5)• Provides basis for open-ended Provides basis for open-ended

fellowship with sinfellowship with sin (15:6-7)(15:6-7)

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The The ProblemProblem

Disputes over scruples of Disputes over scruples of conscience causing conscience causing

divisiondivision

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Problem: Problem: Disputes OverDisputes Over Scruples Causing Scruples Causing DivisionDivision

•StrongStrong (meat-eater) (meat-eater) despisingdespising (looking down on)(looking down on) weakweak (herb-eater) – (herb-eater) – 14:3, 1014:3, 10

•WeakWeak (herb-eater) (herb-eater) judgingjudging (condemning)(condemning) strong strong (meat-(meat-eater) – eater) – 14:3, 1014:3, 10

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Problem: Problem: Disputes Over Disputes Over Scruples Causing Scruples Causing DivisionDivision

•Both, Both, as they areas they are, , pleased pleased GodGod – – 14:4, 6, 10-1214:4, 6, 10-12

•Therefore, both are to Therefore, both are to receive the otherreceive the other – – 14:1; 14:1; 15:715:7

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Defining TermsDefining Terms

WEAKWEAK• Eats herbs - Eats herbs -

14:214:2• Does not Does not

observe days - observe days - 4:5-64:5-6

• Do not judge Do not judge the strong – the strong – 14:314:3

STRONGSTRONG• Eats meat - Eats meat -

14:214:2• Does observe Does observe

days - days - 4:5-64:5-6• Do not despise Do not despise

the weak – the weak – 14:314:3

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Defining TermsDefining TermsWEAKWEAK

• Conscience – Conscience – 14:2, 14, 2314:2, 14, 23– Doubts, Doubts,

abstains abstains 14:6, 14:6, 1414

• Knowledge re. Knowledge re. liberty, liberty, 4:14, 204:14, 20

• Good standing w/ Good standing w/ God – God – 14:4, 6, 1814:4, 6, 18

STRONGSTRONG• Conscience -Conscience -14:214:2

– No doubt & No doubt & eats, eats, 14:614:6

• Knowledge re. Knowledge re. liberty,liberty, 4:14,20,224:14,20,22

• Good standing w/ Good standing w/ God – God – 14:4, 6, 14:4, 6, 18, 2218, 22

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1 Corinthians 81 Corinthians 8

•StrongStrong:: Knowledge idol is Knowledge idol is nothing, nothing, 8:4-68:4-6

•Weak:Weak: Conscious of idol, eat, Conscious of idol, eat, defiled, defiled, 8:78:7

•LibertyLiberty: Eat meat sacrificed, : Eat meat sacrificed, 8:8-98:8-9

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1 Corinthians 81 Corinthians 8

•SinSin to use one’s liberty if it to use one’s liberty if it causes causes the weak to stumblethe weak to stumble ((defiledefile himself byhimself by violationviolation of hisof his

conscience),conscience), 8:9-128:9-12•Forego libertyForego liberty if by using it weak if by using it weak

in conscience is in conscience is emboldenedemboldened to to violate his conscience,violate his conscience, 8:138:13

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Defining TermsDefining Terms““THE FAITH”THE FAITH”

(14:1, 5, 22-23)(14:1, 5, 22-23)

-Personal…-Personal…• Conscience, Conscience,

14:2; 14:2; 2222

• Faith (trust), Faith (trust), 14: 14: 5, 14, 22-235, 14, 22-23

““THE FAITH”THE FAITH”(Jude 3)(Jude 3)

-Delivered…-Delivered…• Truth, Truth, Gal. 1:11-Gal. 1:11-

1212

• Gospel, Gospel, Gal. Gal. 1:231:23

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Personal FaithPersonal Faith(Rom. 14)(Rom. 14)

•AllowedAllowedGod-ApprovedGod-ApprovedLiberties for Liberties for

ManMan

Eat: AcceptedEat: AcceptedNot Eat: Not Eat:

AcceptedAccepted

Revealed FaithRevealed Faith

(Jude 3)(Jude 3)

•CommandedCommanded•ForbiddenForbidden

Will of GodWill of God

Sin: RejectedSin: RejectedObey: Obey:

AcceptedAccepted

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Doubtful DisputationsDoubtful Disputations (14:1)(14:1)

• ““Decisions of scruples”Decisions of scruples” (ASV) (ASV)• Disputes over doubtful things; Disputes over doubtful things;

dispute about opinions dispute about opinions (decisions (decisions of doubts)of doubts)

• ““The thinking of a man The thinking of a man deliberating deliberating with himself” with himself” ((Online Bible NT LexiconOnline Bible NT Lexicon))

• Arguments over doubtful thingsArguments over doubtful things

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Offend, Cause to Offend, Cause to StumbleStumble (14:13, 20-21)(14:13, 20-21)

• Influence the weak to violate hisInfluence the weak to violate hisconscience, conscience, 14:13 (1 Cor. 8:9-14:13 (1 Cor. 8:9-

12)12)– Grief caused when conscience Grief caused when conscience

violated violated (14:14-15)(14:14-15)– Destroys the weak when Destroys the weak when

conscience violated conscience violated (14:15, 20, 23)(14:15, 20, 23)

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Offend, Cause to Offend, Cause to StumbleStumble (14:13, 20-21)(14:13, 20-21)

•Do not Do not “please yourself”“please yourself” if it if it destroys your brother, destroys your brother,

15:2 15:2 (1 Cor. 8:13)(1 Cor. 8:13)•NOT: Merely difference of NOT: Merely difference of

opinion over some matter of opinion over some matter of judgmentjudgment

– ““Your decision offends me!”Your decision offends me!”

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The The RemedyRemedy

Receive each other with Receive each other with different scruples of different scruples of

conscienceconscience

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Remedy:Remedy:Receive Each OtherReceive Each Other

•Stop contempt & condemnation Stop contempt & condemnation because each are:because each are:

–14:3:14:3: Accepted by God Accepted by God–14:5:14:5: Fully persuaded in mind Fully persuaded in mind–14:7-9:14:7-9: Living unto the Lord Living unto the Lord

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Remedy:Remedy:Receive Each OtherReceive Each Other

•Stop contempt & condemnation Stop contempt & condemnation because each are:because each are:

–14:10-11:14:10-11: Judged by the Lord Judged by the Lord–14:12:14:12: Accountable to God Accountable to God (not man) in such matters(not man) in such matters

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Remedy:Remedy:Receive Each OtherReceive Each Other

•Stop laying stumbling blocks Stop laying stumbling blocks because because (14:13)(14:13)::–14:14-15:14:14-15: Scruples of Scruples of conscience conscience allow for allow for differencesdifferences

–14:15:14:15: Christ died for the Christ died for the weak weak as well as the strongas well as the strong

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Remedy:Remedy:Receive Each OtherReceive Each Other

•Stop laying stumbling blocks Stop laying stumbling blocks because:because:

–14:16:14:16: Are to do good Are to do good toward toward each othereach other

–14:17:14:17: Nature of the Nature of the kingdomkingdom

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Remedy:Remedy:Receive Each OtherReceive Each Other

•Stop laying stumbling blocks Stop laying stumbling blocks because:because:

–14:18:14:18: Each Each serveserve Christ; Christ; are are acceptedaccepted by God; are by God; are approvedapproved before menbefore men

–14:20:14:20: Value of each saint Value of each saint

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An AppealAn AppealFor unity in matters of For unity in matters of

personal conscience with its personal conscience with its libertiesliberties

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An Appeal:An Appeal:Be Like-minded Be Like-minded (15:1-7)(15:1-7)

•Follow example of Christ,Follow example of Christ, 15:1-315:1-3– Unselfishness, love, sacrificeUnselfishness, love, sacrifice

•Patience and comfort of the Patience and comfort of the Scriptures,Scriptures, 15:4-715:4-7

This Glorifies God!This Glorifies God!

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ApplicationApplicationRomans 14 is much needed Romans 14 is much needed today, yet often misappliedtoday, yet often misapplied

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Applying Romans 14:Applying Romans 14:Getting it RightGetting it Right

•Respect each conscienceRespect each conscience•Distinguish between Distinguish between

revealed revealed faith of Christ & faith of Christ & personal personal faith of man faith of man (Phil. (Phil. 1:9-11; 1:9-11; 2 Tim. 2:15)2 Tim. 2:15)

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Applying Romans 14:Applying Romans 14:Getting it RightGetting it Right

•Cannot use Cannot use Romans 14Romans 14 to to approve & have approve & have ongoing ongoing fellowshipfellowship with with doctrinal doctrinal error or error or immoral conductimmoral conduct

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Does Does Romans 14Romans 14 Include Include Adulterous Adulterous Remarriages?Remarriages?

• Is man who commits adultery Is man who commits adultery “weak in faith” or sinful? “weak in faith” or sinful?

• Is it equally right to commit or Is it equally right to commit or to not commit adultery? to not commit adultery?

• Is it sinful to condemn the man Is it sinful to condemn the man who commits adultery? who commits adultery?

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Does Romans 14 Include Does Romans 14 Include Adulterous Adulterous Remarriages?Remarriages?

•Can one commit adultery “to Can one commit adultery “to the Lord”? the Lord”?

• Is adultery “clean”? Is adultery “clean”? • Is committing adultery Is committing adultery

“good”? “good”? • Is adultery “pure”? Is adultery “pure”?

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Does Romans 14 Include Does Romans 14 Include Adulterous Adulterous Remarriages?Remarriages?

•Does God “receive” the adulterer? Does God “receive” the adulterer? •Does the adulterer “stand” or fall Does the adulterer “stand” or fall

before God?before God?•Can one commit adultery as long Can one commit adultery as long

as he does not cause the as he does not cause the “weak” to commit adultery? “weak” to commit adultery?

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ROMANS 14ROMANS 14•Receive, Receive, v. 1v. 1•Differences Differences

may may continue, continue, v. 5v. 5

•Things Things allowed but allowed but not not commanded, commanded, v. 2, 5, 14v. 2, 5, 14

2 JOHN 9-112 JOHN 9-11

•Do not Do not receive, receive, v. 10v. 10

•Differences Differences must stop, must stop, v. v. 99

•Abide in these Abide in these things, things, v. 9v. 9

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Romans 14:1 – 15:7Romans 14:1 – 15:7Receive One AnotherReceive One Another

•Because Because Christ has Christ has received us!received us!

•Receive Receive each other each other the same the same way!way!

•Romans 14Romans 14 does does not not allow allow unity in unity in (moral(moral and and doctrinal)doctrinal) diversitydiversity (2 Jno. 9-11)(2 Jno. 9-11)