Romans 14:1-12

As a student at a small non-denominational Bible college I recall a rather animated debate between two classmates on the issue of a Christian shopping at a grocery store that sold beer. One colleague argued that to frequent such an establishment was an implicit endorsement of the sale and consumption of beer. Indeed, it might be an occasion to cause a weaker brother to stumble. The other argued that it was impossible to find a store that didn’t sell something objectionable. And, besides, even good things can be used for evil purposes.

The 2004 Presidential campaign exposed a divide among people of faith. On the one hand social conservatives assumed that an anti-abortion stance, support for school prayer, government support for faith based initiatives and sanctity of marriage issues were enough to sway Christian conscience toward those politicians who shared their concerns. While more liberal social activists indicated that opposition to the war and capital punishment were also pro-life issues. The need for a social safety net was seen as essential to a just society.  And these issues warranted Christian conscience supporting those candidates who shared their concerns.

Paul deals with the problem of the weaker believer and meat that has been offered to idols — hardly a significant issue in the culture wars of our day. But the principles he enunciates are timeless and have their foundation in our focal passage today.

There are some basic assumptions which are developed in the larger context of Romans 14. Paul suggests that we learn to distinguish between matters of command and matters of freedom. (14: 14, 20) Obviously, no Christian would think it permissible for a believer to directly disobey a direct command or prohibition of Scripture such as “don’t commit murder.” But the biblical witness is more ambivalent regarding a Christian’s duty in a time of war.

Paul encourages believers to “let all be convicted in their own mind.” (14:5) In other words, each should develop their own convictions on debatable issues. What may be right for one Christian in a given context may be the occasion for stumbling by a different believer facing a different set of circumstances.

The primary point of the discussion of meat offered to idols (meat that was used in pagan worship and then sold on the open market) seems to be that one is to allow fellow believers the right to determine their own convictions — even when their convictions differ from one’s own. In the end, Paul reminds us that “each of us will be accountable to God.” (14: 12)

There are several principles outlined in Romans 14 that are instructive for caring for the weaker brother — a Christian who is of uncertain conviction on a given issue who might use the liberty of another as an occasion for sin in his own life.