Romans 14:19 – 15:3

1. Romans 14:19 – 15:3 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. 1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME."

2. 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. • So then – Paul’s conclusion is as follows • we pursue (let us pursue) • pursue – diōkō - to follow or press hard after, put it into practice • see Heb 12:14 , 2 Tim 2:22 • first issue: • the things which make for peace • peace – eirēnē - harmonious relationships between men • Romans 12:18If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

3. 19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. • second issue: • the building up of one another • building up – oikodomē - "the act of building" (oikos, "a home," and • demo, "to build"), Rom. 15:2; • 1 Cor. 14:3, 5, 12, 26, • 1 Corinthians 14:12So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound • for the edification of the church. • “ Peace can exist between the weak and the strong believer by pursuing • peace and seeking to build up one another.” (Mc Calley )

4. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. • Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food • tear down – katalyō - to loose or unloose what was before bound • or fastened • work of God – Eph. 2:10 for we are His workmanship, created in Christ • Jesus for good works, which God prepared • beforehand so that we would walk in them • All things indeed are clean • but they (all things) are evil for the man who eats and gives offense • evil for the man who eats • evil - actively causing evil, i.e., hurtful, harmful • gives offense – called “an obstacle” in Rom.14:13 • lit: by causing offense (stumbling)

5. 21 It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. • It is good • not to eat meat • or to drink wine • or to do anything • by which your brother stumbles • stumbles – same root word as in verses 13 and 20 • “ to beat upon or against, to strike against, dash against” • Paul’s view on our Christian liberty – see 1 Cor. 10:27-31

6. 22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. part a The faith which you have What is faith referring to here ? Rom14:2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. have as your own conviction before God literally: have according to yourself before God be having to yourself in the sight of God(Wuest)

7. 22 The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. part b Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves happy – makarios - Blessed, possessing the favor of God, that state of being marked by fullness from God. (Zodhiates) see Rev. 1:3 condemn – krinō -judge, to form an opinion see Rom 14:13 approves - dokimázō - tested, approved. To try, prove, discern, distinguish, approve. It has the notion of proving a thing whether it is worthy or not (Zodhiates) Can you think of an example of this principle ?

8. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. has been condemned But he who doubts is condemned doubts - diakrínō - in the middle voice, to be in strife with oneself, i.e., to doubt, hesitate, waver (Zodhiates) see Rom 4:20, James 1:6 condemned - katakrínō - to pronounce sentence against, condemn - by implication, to condemn by contrast (Zodhiates) What does it mean to be condemned ? if he eats third class “if” - outcome is uncertain but likely

9. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. because his eating is not from faith the eating is to be “out of” faith But the one who doubts, if he eats, stands condemned because not by faith did he eat.(Wuest) and whatever is not from faith is sin the whatever is to be “out of” faith Moreover, everything which is not of faith is sin(Wuest)

10. 1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. strong ought to bear ought - opheílō - to owe, to be indebted - metaphorically, to be bound or obligated to perform a duty (Zodhiates) – see Eph 5:28, 2 Thess 1:3 bear - bastazō - signifies "to support as a burden." – see Gal 6:2 the weaknesses of those without strength without strength - adúnatos – without power, impotent, weak see Acts 14:8, Rom 8:3 the infirmities of those who are not strong (Wuest) not just please ourselves

11. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME." Each of us is to please his neighbor please –aréskō - it means to seek to please or gratify, to accommodate oneself to – see 1 Thess 2:4 for his good, to his edification good -agathós - good and benevolent, profitable, useful edification - oikodomē - "the act of building" same as in Rom 14:19 Christ did not please Himself