The Book of Romans, Part 32 – Do Not Cause Others to Stumble

[Study Aired June 11, 2024]

Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
Rom 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 
Rom 14:15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. 
Rom 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 
Rom 14:18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 
Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 
Rom 14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 
Rom 14:21 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. 
Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 
Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. 

In Romans 14:13-23, Paul continues his discussion on how believers should relate to each other amid differing personal convictions, using dietary practices as an example. This passage fits into the larger context of Romans, where Paul lays out the foundations of Christian faith, including themes of sin, salvation, grace, and righteous living.

In Romans chapters 1-11, Paul presents the universal need for salvation, the role of faith, and the assurance of God’s love. In chapters 12-14, he transitions to practical instructions for living out this faith as the body of Christ. By Romans 14, he focuses on handling differences in outward matters.

Paul admonishes believers to stop judging each other over disputable matters and instead ensure they do not cause others to stumble (Romans 14:13). He asserts that while no food is inherently unclean, if someone believes it is, then for them, it is unclean (Rom 14:14). This aligns with his earlier teachings on the observance of days (Rom 14:5).

Rom 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 

Paul emphasizes that if eating certain foods causes a fellow believer distress, one is not acting in love. The spiritual well-being of others should take precedence over personal liberty (Romans 14:15, 20). The kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, not about external rituals like eating and drinking (Romans 14:17).

Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Believers are encouraged to pursue actions that promote peace and mutual edification, ensuring their behaviors do not harm others’ faith (Romans 14:19). Paul advises that it is better to abstain from certain practices if they cause others to stumble, reinforcing the principle of love over liberty (Romans 14:21).

Rom 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Paul underscores that actions must be rooted in faith: “for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). This means any action taken with doubt or against one’s conscience is sinful, as it is not done in faith. This principle aligns with Paul’s broader message in Romans that true righteousness comes from faith.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

In Mark 7:18-19 Jesus teaches that external things do not defile a person. 

Mar 7:18-19 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

In Acts 10:13-15 Peter’s vision emphasizes that God has made all foods clean. 

Act 10:13-15 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 

This vision signifies a shift from Jewish laws to a new understanding of purity in Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 8:8-9 Paul discusses food offered to idols and the importance of not causing others to stumble.

1Co 8:8-9 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

This passage highlights the principle that food itself is neutral, but the impact on others’ consciences matters.

In Colossians 2:16-17 Paul warns against being judged based on dietary laws and days, stating these are shadows of the spirit. 

Col 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Here, dietary practices and days are described as part of the old covenant, now fulfilled in Christ.

These verses collectively demonstrate that, in the New Testament, dietary practices and days are redefined through the lens of faith in Christ. They emphasize that food itself does not determine one’s spiritual standing, but that the principles of love, respect for others’ consciences, and gratitude are paramount.

Paul is addressing both those who are strong in faith and those who are weak in faith, but his primary focus is on instructing the strong in faith on how to interact with and accommodate those who are weak in faith. The strong in faith are called to use their discernment responsibly and to act in love, avoiding causing others to stumble.

Paul acknowledges the existence of different levels of faith within the body of Christ. Those who are strong in faith understand that nothing is unclean in itself and have freedom to eat anything, while those who are weak in faith might consider certain foods unclean due to their conscience or background.

“Doubtful disputations” in Romans 14:1 refers to disagreements or debates concerning matters of personal conviction. These disputes often revolve around issues such as secular practices or the observance of specific days, which can vary among believers due to their diverse backgrounds and levels of faith.

Rom 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

In Romans 14:13-23, Paul addresses how we should handle these “doubtful disputations” in a way that promotes unity within the body of Christ. This fits with my previous conclusion that Paul’s primary focus is on instructing the strong in faith to act considerately towards those who are weak in faith. Here’s how the concept of “doubtful disputations” interacts with that conclusion:

Avoiding Judgment on Disputable Matters: Paul encourages us to welcome those who are weak in faith with the qualifier of “but not to doubtful disputations” (Rom 14:1). This means accepting one another at each other’s level of faith. In the context of Romans 14:13-23, this reinforces the call to judge others based on their current level of faith.

Promoting Peace and Mutual Edification: Paul’s urging to pursue what makes for peace and mutual edification (Romans 14:19) directly counters the divisiveness that “doubtful disputations” can cause. By focusing on building one another up rather than debating disputable matters, we can foster a more unified fellowship.

Acting in Love and Avoiding Stumbling Blocks: The strong in faith are called to act in love and not to use their liberty in a way that causes others to stumble (Romans 14:15, 20). Engaging in “doubtful disputations” from those that are weak in faith can become a stumbling block. Paul’s guidance helps the strong in faith to prioritize the spiritual well-being of others over winning arguments or asserting their freedom. An example of this would be those that are weak in faith may still be participating in holiday celebrations. Those strong in faith are not to have dominion over their faith but are helpers of joy. As the weak mature in Christ the faith of the strong are transferred to the weak.

2Co 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

Faith and Personal Conviction: Paul’s principle that “whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom 14:23) emphasizes the importance of acting according to one’s own faith and convictions. Disputations over doubtful matters can lead individuals to act contrary to their beliefs, which Paul identifies as sinful. Thus, avoiding such disputes helps believers maintain a clear conscience before God.

In summary, “doubtful disputations” are discouraged because they can lead to judgment, distress, and division within the body. Paul’s instructions in Romans 14:13-23, which are aimed particularly at the strong in faith, emphasize the importance of acting in love and prioritizing peace and mutual edification. This approach helps prevent the negative impacts of engaging in disputes.

1 Corinthians 2:15 states, “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” 

This verse suggests that a spiritually mature person, guided by the Holy Spirit, has the discernment to evaluate all things rightly and is not subject to judgment by those who lack spiritual understanding.

To understand how this verse interacts with the discussion of “doubtful disputations” in Romans 14, we need to consider the context and the nature of the judgments being referred to in both passages.

Spiritual Discernment vs. Judging Others: In 1 Corinthians 2:15, Paul speaks of the spiritual person’s ability to discern and understand deeper spiritual truths because of the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This discernment is different from the judgment or criticism Paul warns against in Romans 14. In Romans, the emphasis is to not pass judgment on others due to their level of faith. The spiritual judgment in 1 Corinthians 2:15 is about discerning truth and living in alignment with God’s will, rather than critiquing fellow believers.

Those who are spiritually mature (“he that is spiritual”) are expected to exercise their discernment responsibly. In the context of Romans 14, this means the strong in faith should use their spiritual maturity to foster peace to avoid causing others to stumble. The spiritually mature should understand that their freedom in Christ comes with the responsibility to act in love and consideration for the weaker believers.

The second part of 1 Corinthians 2:15, “yet he himself is judged of no man,” emphasizes that the spiritual person is not subject to the judgments of those that are weak in the faith because their understanding has matured. This complements Romans 14, where the strong in faith are encouraged to refrain from judging those that are lacking faith because of immaturity. They are to recognize that ultimate judgment belongs to God and is based on the heart and faith, not on external practices.

In conclusion, 1 Corinthians 2:15 supports the idea that spiritually mature believers should use their discernment to promote unity and avoid causing division. This spiritual judgment should guide them to act towards others, in line with Paul’s teachings in Romans 14:13-23. The verse underscores the principle that true spiritual discernment leads to actions that build up the body rather than engaging in “doubtful disputations” with those that are weak which can harm the weak believers’ faith.

Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.