Instead of forming a judgment about “others,” let the man form a determination about his own conduct. 6:20; Luke 12:33; 14:33). For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?". "Commentary on Romans 14:13". Scripture says that we need to subjugate even our beliefs and convictions to the law of love (Rom. (m) He rebukes along the way these malicious judgers of others who occupy their heads about nothing, but to find fault with their brethren's life, whereas they should rather focus their minds upon this, that they do not with disdainfulness either cast their brethren completely down, or give them any offence. meketi. BibliographyBenson, Joseph. Let us not judge (krino) - Note that this phrase is a present imperative with a negative which means to stop an act (judging) that has begun. We must beware of the sin mentioned in the Larger Catechism, no. Of course this distracted the congregation from his point, so he tore off his necktie and declared that ties are from the devil. He is wrong in the sense of not having complete and mature understanding, which causes his conscience to be unnecessarily sensitive. These “stumbling blocks” make it difficult for followers of Jesus to continue in the way of faith that He came to show us—that salvation is by grace not works (Gal. Spurgeon - You have liberty to do as you please, but do not use that liberty if it would be mischievous to your brother in Christ. — This dissuasive appears to be now addressed to both the parties. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. 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. One church on the west coast of America was known for the loving care which Christians exhibited toward each other. The alternative is a Gnostic doctrine of sin and a tyrannical, totalitarian church which destroys the God-given Christian liberty of her members. Vine says koinos means "common and from the idea of coming into contact with everything, “defiled,” is used in the ceremonial sense in Mark 7:2, 5. What we are contending for, is not license to use poisonous drugs — but freedom under God to decide for ourselves what material substances we ought to leave alone. It is the word that would be used for a tree that has been felled and laid across a road to block it. a trap = σκανδαληθρόν (LXX[279] tr. For example, Romans 8:5 says those who live according to the sin nature have their minds set on what that nature desires.Romans 8:7 says the sinful mind is hostile to God. The next passage will develop this; but it is clear that Jesus’ idea of religion and that of the scribes and Pharisees had nothing in common at all. What authority is competent to determine the harmfulness and on this basis, to infer the inherent sinfulness of the use of a particular material substance — making this inference binding on the consciences of the Lord's people? In the nature of the case, the extent of legitimate use is a matter between the person and his Lord. —Seneca (An Unbeliever!). . difficult, but we are to accept them in love for the Lord’s sake. Their lives are wasted and useless (eternally)! Acts 4:32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. (See excellent resource The Discovery Bible to enable deeper Word Studies = http://www.helpsbible.org). — Reprinted by permission. that we, even after the pardon of our sins, by reason of our corruption, weakness, and lack of watchfulness — are not only subject to be tempted, and forward to expose ourselves unto temptations; but also of ourselves unable and unwilling to resist them, to recover out of them, and to improve them . "The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible". "Commentary on Romans 14:13". It is not sufficient to show that a command of Scripture may have been violated — or that an act has been committed which might, under some circumstances, involve the violation of a command of Scripture. James Denney explains that proskomma "does not occur in the Gospels, but it is a remarkable fact that in most of our Lord’s express teaching about sin, it is sin in the character of skandalon, a snare or stumbling-block to others, with which He deals. (Phillips: Touchstone). THE GOSPEL OF GOD Meditations in St. Paul's Letter to the Romans ACTION REQUIRED Romans 14 (Sermon 4) Verse 13-16 “Therefore let us stop ....". "Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges". I’d buy one, too! Paul says do not do this. But is it really possible to set aside irreconcilable differences when so much seems to be at stake? Our main focus should not be on our liberty or our rights, but on loving our brother. 6:3 ESV). Romans 13 is the thirteenth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.It is authored by Paul the Apostle, while he was in Corinth in the mid 50s AD, with the help of an amanuensis (secretary), Tertius, who adds his own greeting in Romans 16:22. Now who is to decide which of these many voices is to be accepted as the authoritative voice of science? It is, however, a sin deliberately to place ourselves in the path of temptation to sin. So a church in China makes a rule against the use of opium by church members — and a church in Mexico a rule against the use of marijuana. The Agora was a public forum where people gathered and because of the mixing of public resulted in inevitable ceremonial defilement. Gossip, slander, boasting, bitterness, greed, abuse, anger, selfishness, and revenge all close the hearts of those around us to the message of God through us. After a few crossings, they begin to pick up courage, and eventually they are able to run right across. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: q.d. As he states (Ro 14:15), “For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love.” So the principle is: Love for others should govern our exercise of liberty in Christ when our liberty would cause a weaker brother to stumble. While it is not proper for church bodies to make rules concerning the use of things indifferent, it may be perfectly legitimate for a church judicatory to censure a church member for the use of something which is not sinful in itself — when it is proved that in the particular case in question, the use really involved the commission of sin. 1599-1645. “Do not make more of thy food than Christ did of Hi life” Bengel. Any contact (no matter how indirect) with something "unclean" required elaborate rituals of sacrifice (purification). If you want to be authentic and useful for God, take an obstacle inventory. A matter must be regarded as indifferent in itself — until proved sinful by scripture. For the believer, seeing (eido) transforms into knowing (understanding) through God's inbirthings of faith ("inner persuasion"). Let us not therefore judge one another any more. This does not mean that there are no adiaphora or things indifferent in themselves; it simply means that the right use of things indifferent, that is, the careful, temperate, God-fearing and conscientious use of or abstinence from them — is for the glory of God. “Obstacle” refers to anything that would trip up your brother. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cgt/romans-14.html. — Reprinted by permission. vulgaris). The Christian is his brother's keeper, and has a responsibility for his brother's welfare. By contrast he recalled how good it was when both sides agreed to disagree. It is not difficult, however, to show how contrary this conception is to the Biblical doctrine of sin. Just eat what you want and don’t worry about it! Koinos was a technical term to express those customs and habits which, although "common" to he world, were forbidden to the pious Jew (see similar meaning in Mk 7:2, Mk 7:5, Acts 10:14, Acts 10:15, 10:28, 11:8, 11:9, Re 21:27). Logizomai conveys the idea of calculating or estimating. In Ho 4:17, the Septuagint is translated: “Ephraim partaking with idols hath laid stumbling blocks in his own path.” (metochos eidolon Ephraim etheken (3SAAI) heauto skandala) (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Koinos denotes (a) “common, belonging to several” (Lat., communis), said of things had in common, Acts 2:44; 4:32; of faith, Titus 1:4; of salvation, Jude 3; it stands in contrast to idios, “one’s own”; (b) “ordinary, belonging to the generality, as distinct from what is peculiar to the few”, hence the application to religious practices of Gentiles in contrast with those of Jews; or of the ordinary people in contrast with those of the Pharisees; hence the meaning “unhallowed, profane,” Levitically unclean (Lat., profanus), said of hands, Mk 7:2 (KJV = “defiled,”) rv marg., “common”; of animals, ceremonially unclean, Acts 10:14; 11:8; of a man, Acts 10:28; of meats, Ro. BibliographyVincent, Marvin R. DD. It is not surprising that Greek literature throws little light on its distinctive NT meaning. 1857. Those who wish to add to what God has spoken in Scripture, certain man-made regulations concerning things indifferent, often take this position because they believe these rules are necessary in order to prevent various evils. We must be careful that we do not injure others in the use of our liberty. When a particular course of conduct is demonstrated to be sinful, that is, contrary to the moral law of God — then separation from such conduct is required of the Christian by God himself. It was ritual, ceremonial, and regulations like that which they considered to be essence of the service of God. Logizomai refers to a process of careful study or reasoning which results in the arriving at a conclusion. 7; the verb (koinoo) is found in Acts 21:28, Hebrews 9:13). Abstinence from things indifferent, while it may proceed from consideration for the weak conscience of a brother — can never proceed from our own conscience, except in the indirect sense that our conscience requires us to be considerate of the weaknesses of fellow Christians; for if a thing is regarded as indifferent — then how could the use of it be sinful in itself, or how could we abstain because of our own conscience? (Collected writings of W. E. Vine). That sets me free." 14:9; 17:23; 18:31; 19:22; 26:22, 37; Mk. ; Breitenbach, ad Xen. It's hard for me to relax. or "My soul is so burdened.". Biblical agape love is the love of choice, the love of serving with humility, the highest kind of love, the noblest kind of devotion, the love of the will (intentional, a conscious choice) and not motivated by superficial appearance, emotional attraction, or sentimental relationship. In a way that makes me credible Such national and religious customs, so long held, seem stronger than they are. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. Romans 13:14(NASB) Verse Thoughts In the Christian life we are commanded to be honest; to be respectful to others; to conduct ourselves with integrity and to love our neighbour as we love ourselves, for love is the fulfilment of God's perfect Law. Also, since Jesus will not lose any of His sheep for whom He laid down His life (John 10:28-29; 17:2, 12), they have to say that Christ didn’t actually die as a substitute for this so-called brother. Koinos describes unclean...hands (Mk 7:2), meats (Acts 10:14, 28, 11:8, Ro 14:14), the blood of the covenant (Heb 10:29). Romans 14:13, NASB : "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-- … Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament. The Spirit of God will work true holiness in the hearts and lives of the people, their consciences will be enlightened, and their walk consistent. (In this connection it may be remarked that the modernist notion that all human knowledge and science is a divine revelation in the same sense that Scripture is a divine revelation — is utterly false and destructive. And surely you wouldn't let food mean ruin to a man for whom Christ died. So too, a person was supposedly defiled by touching an "unclean" object made of wood and metal – but the metal part could "not become unclean" or pass on impurity (Wm Barclay). Why doesn’t he just grow up?” (Love Trumps Liberty Romans 14:13-16), Romans 14:15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. (Building Up One Another Without Offending, Part 1 - See dropdown list), Unclean (2839)(koinos) is an adjective which means primarily common, as belonging equally to several, being of mutual interest or shared collectively, that which is common to everybody. To deny this, means to make science, instead of God — the Lord of the conscience. That God requires separation from sin, is the consistent teaching of all Scripture. Mutual respect and love are the marks of true Christian disciples (John 13:34–35). https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hal/romans-14.html. That is what you ought to judge. It is like that with these moral questions. In 1 Corinthians 8:7 Paul says, "There is not in every man that knowledge [that an idol is nothing]; for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol, and their conscience being weak, is defiled." B.C.) It might set him back temporarily or even do permanent damage to his sensitive conscience (cf. 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