The right to grow in the faith is a fundamental right that God has given
the Christian. I believe that the fourteenth chapter of Romans and the
first few verses of the fifteenth chapter are designed to protect and
enhance that right.
This
section of Romans has received a lot of attention among brethren
recently. Some think too much, others think not enough. In articles that
I have read along with sermons and reports that I have heard, there has
been no lack of variety in both the exegesis and application of this
section by brethren whose knowledge and faithfulness I highly respect.
Because of this, it is with no little trepidation that I present what I
believe this section to be teaching.
The Total Context
First, it should be a given that this section must not be interpreted so
as to conflict with other plain New Testament teaching on fellowship.
The New Testament plainly sets limits on maintaining on-going
fellowship. While Roman 14 clearly teaches such fellowship can and
should be maintained in spite of some limited differences among
those in "the faith," it should not be used to cover virtually all
differences as some are prone to do.
The
New Testament clearly teaches that we must not maintain fellowship with
certain brethren who differ from us in teaching and/or practice - even
sometimes referring to them as "false brethren." (See Gal. 2:4, 5).
The church at Corinth was rebuked for continuing to fellowship a brother
who unlawfully had his father's wife (1 Cor. 5) This fornicator
was lumped together with other immoral brethren (vv. 10, 13) with
whom faithful brethren were not to maintain fellowship. The church at
Thessalonica was told to "warn the unruly (or disorderly - Greek
ataktos)" in Paul's first letter to them (5:14).
In the second letter (3:6), some months later, he tells them to
withdraw from the disorderly (atakts). Vine says that this word
describes "certain church members who manifested an insubordinate
spirit, whether by excitability or officiousness or idleness." The
church at Thyatira was rebuked sharply for tolerating one who taught the
Lord's servants to commit fornication (Rev. 2:20, NIV). The
"elect lady" in 2 John was not to receive into her house nor bid
godspeed to those who went beyond the doctrine of Christ in their
teaching (2 John 9-11). Other examples could be cited, but these
should suffice to show that all differences among brethren, no matter
their nature, cannot be covered by Romans 14.
Before we examine the Romans text in detail, just a few words of caution
about taking the "one size fits all" approach to fellowship. As much as
we might like to simplify things by reducing all cases to a common
denominator and dealing with them all alike, it just does not work that
way. There are a number of factors that must be entered into the
equation that require judgment on our part. The extent to which one may
bear with a situation may depend on a number of things. What is the
spiritual age of the person - a babe or mature? Is he demonstrating a
rebellious spirit or not? What opportunity has the person had to know
better? What influence is the person having on others? What is the
strength of the evidence that the one involved is guilty of sin and
error? The answer to these questions and perhaps more have to be
factored in.
Not All Are Treated the
Same
To
illustrate what we have been saying, let's take a look at 1
Thessalonians 5:14: "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are
unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all."
(New King James Version). The treatment of three classes are considered:
(1) The unruly, (2) The fainthearted, and (3) the weak. A different
treatment is called for in each class, yet they all could possibly be
overtly practicing the same thing. Let's say that there are three women
in the congregation who are failing to attend assemblies as they should.
There is no doubt that each is in violation of Hebrews
10:25.
It
is clear that the first lady is just weak. She needs teaching and
exhortation. She comes from a background where "going to church" was not
that important. She was convicted concerning the first principles but
needs a lot of teaching about other duties. She is also by nature the
kind of person who lets things easily hinder her. She needs constant
encouragement and support. Her problem is weakness, not unruliness.
The
second lady is also unfaithful in her attendance. She is different from
the first lady in that she is fully aware of her duty, but she has an
abusive husband who hates the church. In order to attend, she has to
almost fight her way out to the house. He hides her clothes and car
keys. She knows that each time she attends what she will have to endure
before and after the services. Having to endure such from her husband
Sunday after Sunday, she has become weary and fainthearted. She does not
need warning, she needs comfort and encouragement to endure her
afflictions and be faithful in spite of her husband. A little help from
the brethren with getting her to services regularly might be in order.
Likewise, our third lady knows full well what the Bible teaches about
faithful attendance and has none of the problems of the second lady.
Furthermore, she lets it be known by word and deed that she will attend
when and if she wants to. She is unruly with a "insubordinate spirit"
(See Vine on "unruly" or "disorderly"). She should be duly "warned" and
if, after given time to repent, she does not correct the matter, then
withdraw from (or disfellowship) her.
It
should be obvious that overtly each lady is doing the same thing, but
the circumstance surrounding each case determines how brethren should
deal with her - whether they should support, comfort or warn her.
I
think it significant that Paul urges the Thessalonians to warn the
unruly in his first letter to them rather than withdraw from them.
Months later he writes his second letter to them and in it tells them to
withdraw from them. Now they had been both warned and given "space
(time) to repent" (cf. Rev. 2:21).
There is a time to take a preacher aside (privately) and explain to him
the way of God more perfectly (Acts
18:26).
Also, there is a time to (publicly) rebuke a preacher before all (cf.
Gal.
2:11-14).
There is a time of sharpness (Tit.
1:13)
and a time for gentleness (Gal. 6:1). Attitudes and circumstances
makes the difference in the level of corrective measures that need to be
taken.
So,
before we can apply any teaching on fellowship and correcting sin and
error from within, we must keep in mind that the principles of
long-suffering, patience, boldness, firmness, etc. must be honored. We
need to avoid the extreme of "dropping the axe" at the moment that guilt
is determined without any patience and longsuffering and the other
extreme of transforming long-suffering into ever-suffering.
In
any controversy that has the potential of breaking fellowship no action
should be taken until there has been ample time and opportunity to study
and discuss the issues involved in the dispute. And in those cases that
will at some point definitely require a break of fellowship, the
offender needs to be worked with and given "space to repent" before
severing fellowship.
With
these observations in mind, let's look at Romans 14-15:7.
Romans 14-15:7
As I
read the text, I am impressed with three things: (1) The text is dealing
with the relationship between the weak and strong in "the faith"
(14:1; 15:1), (2) the things considered are personal and individual
in application, and (3) the things practiced are not intrinsically wrong
- "unclean of itself." (v. 14). Now, let's elaborate and make
some application of these three things.
The
text primarily tells the strong (in the faith) how to treat those who
are "weak in the faith." "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye." The
"ye" would be the strong. Paul concludes his remarks with "we then that
are strong (in the faith, eob) ought to bear the infirmities of the weak
(in the faith, eob) . . ." (15:1).
There has been a lot of discussion as to whether the things discussed in
Romans 14 are matters of "the faith" or not. I see no reason not
to regard them as matters of the faith for the several reasons:
(1) The article ("the") is in the King James Version and several good
Greek texts. (2) In other passages where "the faith" is spoken of, we
consider it to be the system of faith or the gospel (See Acts 6:7;
Gal. 1:23;
Phil. 1:27; Jude 3),
why not here? (3) The situation seems to be parallel with 1 Corinthians
8, where the discussion concerns those weak or strong in knowledge of
the faith.
I
agree with brother Bryan Vinson in his commentary on Romans, "The
parties here introduced are Christians, yet there is that point wherein
an inequality exists between them. On the one hand there are the weak,
and on the other those who are strong. The point of weakness and
strength revolves around the measure of their respective understanding
and knowledge of the body of truth denominated, 'The Faith'
(italics mine, eob). I am persuaded that it isn't a case of being weak
in faith, or conviction or persuasion, as both Lard and Whiteside appear
to have thought. Rather it is an instance where some are lacking in
knowledge, while others are not. Those lacking knowledge are the weak in
the faith; these not lacking in knowledge are the strong in the faith" (Paul's
Letters to the Saints at Rome 259-260).
Among those in "the faith," there are various levels of development and
knowledge. While all enter as babes, some enter with a better
understanding than others of what things are required, permitted, and
forbidden by the gospel (the faith) they now embrace. Some develop in
this area faster than others. In some cases it may take years. The
instructions of Romans 14 create an atmosphere where those who
are still weak in the faith can grow and develop in spite of some
mistaken personal views and practices that they may have
concerning what God may or may not expect of them under the gospel. In
both cases, the weak and the strong, do what they do "unto the Lord"
(14:6). Paul's instructions allow time and create an atmosphere
conducive to the weak's learning and growing out of his mistaken views -
an atmosphere of "righteousness, peace and joy" (14:17) rather
than constant disputation over his scruples.
In
the course of his comments, Paul identifies the strong and the weak. The
strong eats all things, the weak only herbs (14:2). He further
states the truth of the matter, i.e., "there is nothing unclean of
itself" (14:14).
Being strong he understood this. But, the weak could not yet see this
truth of which Paul was persuaded "by the Lord Jesus." What should the
strong, like Paul, who understands that "the faith" allows him to eat
"all things," do regarding weak brethren who have not grown to that
point of knowledge? Not receive them? Receive them, but constantly
dispute with them? Go ahead and eat all things regardless of how it
might affect the weak? Or, should he not be patient as the weak practice
what their consciences tell them until they can grow out of their
weakness in the faith and conscientiously eat "all things"? Should he
not be careful so as not to cause the weak to violate their consciences,
become weaker, or even be destroyed spiritually (14:20-23)?
Should he not,
as a strong brother, "bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to
please [himself]" (15:1)?
So,
it seems to me that the thrust of this section of Romans is to show a
way that those who are strong in the faith can work patiently and
peacefully together with those who are weak in the faith. The strong in
the faith ("him that eateth") is not to despise ("set at naught" -
ASV)
the weak in the faith ("him that eateth not"). Nor is the weak ("him
that eateth not") to be allowed to judge (separate, put asunder -
Thayer) the strong in the faith ("him that eateth"). The kind of
differences under consideration that the weak and strong have are such
that they can work and worship together, giving the weak opportunity to
grow out of his scruples based on a weak understanding of the faith, and
deferring the ultimate resolution of the matter to the judgment of God
(vv. 6-12).
Individual vs.
Congregational Practices
Now
let us consider the personal nature of the things over which the strong
and the weak differed. They were things that involved personal or
individual practice rather than congregational. The practice of these
things directly affected only the one practicing them and his God. One
might esteem a day above another in his private practice and another
would not. Neither one's practice necessarily infringes on the other.
However, if one who esteemed a day above another insisted that the
church also esteem that day - that would be another matter. It would
force the issue to the point of division because "the strong" who
understand that there are no such holy days bound by "the faith" must
join in the practice, against their conscientious convictions or else
separate themselves.
One
converted out of denominationalism, still weak in the faith, might
accompany his singing in private worship with instrumental music. As
long as he does not force the practice upon the church, the strong can
afford to be patient and fellowship him, giving him time and opportunity
to grow out of his weak knowledge of the faith. However, if he insists
on bringing his instrument into congregational worship then the strong
would have to deal with him for causing division by introducing an
unauthorized practice into the worship of the church
(Rom. 16:17).
One
who is weak in the faith might believe that, because of the good social
work it does, he can contribute to a "faith-based" charitable work or a
church supported charitable institution. He sends the institution his
personal check each month. I don't believe this would be reason for the
strong to set him at naught. However, if he should press his practice
upon the church to get it to start sending a contribution then the fat
would be in the fire. Those who understand the implications of such
support could not go along with part of their weekly contribution to the
church going to such works. Again, I emphasize the things in Romans
14 are things of individual practice and not congregational.
Though a thing is a matter of faith, but individual in application, it
does not have to necessarily involve others. Nothing in the text
precludes either side from expressing and teaching his position with the
proper attitude in order to study the matter. There is a difference in
expressing and pressing a position. Paul clearly expressed his position
(14:14).
But, at the same time he made room for those "weak in the faith" to
practice what they believed until they could come to the knowledge that
he had of the faith. He further cautioned those who were like him,
strong in the faith, to exercise their liberty, permitted by "the
faith," in such a way as to protect the consciences of the weak and so
as not to destroy them spiritually before they could grow out of their
mistaken scruples. (14:20).
Because of this principle brethren, through the years, have been able to
work together in spite of some individual differences in practice. Such
issues as the covering, military service, and the like have not
generally disturbed congregations as such when all parties have had the
right attitude. They may exchange views in order to learn and increase
their knowledge of "the faith," but not pressing their views to the
point of disruption of the peace and fellowship of the brethren.
Morally right vs.
Inherently Sinful Things
As
stated earlier, our text is not dealing with anything "unclean of
itself" or as we often say, "wrong within itself." It does not cover
"the works of the flesh." In the last verse of chapter 13, Paul clearly
states, "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision
for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts there of" (italics mine, eob).
Galatians 5:19-21 catalogs the "works of the flesh." The things
listed, and "such like" are inherently or morally wrong. None of these
things is covered in Romans 14. It is dealing with certain
morally right things about which there were questions as to whether they
are religiously demanded, permitted, or forbidden by "the faith."
Both
"fornication" and "adultery" are listed as works (or lusts) of the
flesh. Those guilty of these sins in any form (even though they may be
weak in the faith) are not included in those who are to be received in
Romans 14. They are inherently sinful and those practicing them
cannot be received even though they are privately practiced (1 Cor.
5:11).
Those guilty of these sins, in or out of a "marriage," cannot be
retained in fellowship after being given "space (time) to repent"
(cf. Rev. 2:21). Thus, adulterous marriages, as per Matthew 19:9 and
parallel passages, cannot be included in those to be received in Romans
14.
Furthermore, other instructions are explicit about what to do with one
who continues to practice fornication by being married to one that he
has no right to. We are to "put away from among yourselves that wicked
person" (1 Cor.
5:13).
Also, Christ severely
rebuked the church at Thyatira for "suffering" or allowing one to "to
teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication" (Rev. 2:20).
Thus, neither those guilty of fornication, nor those who teach doctrines
that would permit fornication are covered by Romans 14.
Romans 14 is not dealing with things fundamental to the faith or
anything that threatens to undermine or make shipwreck of a person's
faith (cf. 1 Tim.
1:19).
Such questions as the
nature of Christ while on earth, whether the alien is subject to the law
of God, and trustworthiness of the creation account are so fundamental
to the faith that they cannot possibly be thrown into Romans 14.
Mistaken views and teachings on these subjects are such that they will
undermine, and possibly destroy, the faith of some. Such cannot be
paralleled with the mistaken views of those weak in the faith in
Romans 14.
Conclusion
The
weak in the faith, in Romans 14, are mistaken in their views and
incorrect and overly scrupulous in their personal practices and need to
grow in the faith. The strong in the faith are correct in their views
and practice, but the things are of such nature that they can give
deference to the weak without embracing their mistaken views or
violating their own conscience or duty to God. The weak in the faith
have the right to grow under the gospel in an atmosphere of peace
conducive to edification (v. 19). Applying the conclusion to
Romans 14 given in the first few verses of the next chapter will
protect that right. "We then that are strong ought to bear the
infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of
us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ
pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that
reproached thee fell on me . . . That ye may with one mind and one mouth
glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive
ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God."
(15:1-3, 6-7)
edbragwell@edssermonsandthings.com
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