By Brian R. Kenyon

One of the focus questions in Part 1 of this series was, “Who are the erring?” The answer given was those who have departed from the truth in at least one area. The answer is not, as some people seem to think, those who have a different opinion than them on matters of indifference or matters of expediency. To treat one’s opinion on matters of indifference as if it were the doctrine of Christ and make one’s opinion the standard of fellowship is sin (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1-5). A consideration of Romans 14 is necessary to keep from falling into this error.

Receive One Another

Paul began by stating, “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things” (Rom. 14:1). The weak in faith are those whose opinions of former regulations and/or habits have bound their faith so they cannot yet practice the liberties allowed by the Gospel. They are still to be “received,” which comes from a word (proslambanomai, προσλαμβάνομαι) that means to “welcome” (ESV), or “accept” (NAS). The phrase “disputes over doubtful things” comes from two Greek words. The first is diakrisis (διάκρισις), which means to argue, dispute; the second is dialogisomos (διαλογισμός), which means being judgmental; doubt, question; argument, dispute (Phil. 2:14; Jas. 2:4). The phrase is translated “doubtful disputations” (KJV); “decision of scruples” (ASV); “for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions” (NAS); and “to quarrel over opinions” (ESV). It must be kept in mind that the “disputes [scruples, ASV; opinions, ESV]” are over matters of option, or indifference—things that of themselves are not obligated by God!

Paul gave an example:
For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. (Rom. 14:2-3)

If God receives such brethren with their view on matters of indifference, then who are we to condemn them because we have a different view. Such amounts to supreme arrogance — “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand” (Rom. 14:4)!

All church members, whether weak or strong, must realize that we all belong to the Lord. Christ lived, died, and rose again that we might belong to him (Rom. 14:7-9). Since we belong to God, we must honor God (1 Cor. 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 5:15). We are not to serve self, but God. However, when we insist on everyone agreeing with our opinions in matters of indifference, we are selfishly serving self and demanding that others do as well. Furthermore, since we all belong to Christ, He will do the judging, and we must let Him (Rom. 14:10-12 cf. Jn. 5:24-29)!

Do Not Condemn One Another

Since God is going to be our infallible judge, “let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way” (Rom. 14:13). We must not condemn, or “pass judgment on” (ESV), another person simply because he does not agree with our opinions on indifferent matters. Instead, we should determine not to cause the weak brother to fall into error by forcing our opinions on him. The word translated “stumblingblock [obstacle, NAS]” is proskomma (πρόσκομμα), which generally means to strike or knock against. Figuratively, it refers to the cause or process by which one falls. The word translated “cause to fall” is skandalon (σκάνδαλον), which originally referred to the piece of wood which kept open a trap for animals. Figuratively, it is an expression for that which causes another to fall (Rom. 9:33; 11:9; Rev. 2:14).

Paul forbade the strong to cause the weak to stumble and hurt their conscience. Exercising freedom in Christ must not cause others to fall. In a similar context, Paul wrote, “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak” (1 Cor. 8:9). Those who force their opinion on another may cause him to violate his conscience and thus fall. As it relates to eating meat, Paul instructed:

For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. (1 Cor. 8:10-12)

Encourage One Another

Instead of instigating others to fall by binding our opinions on them, we should seek to build them up in the faith. Paul wrote, “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Rom. 14:19). Paul here gave two motives that should regulate our handling of opinions in matters of indifference. First, we must be motivated by the pursuit of Biblical peace. Jesus affirmed, “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God” (Mt. 5:9). If another’s opinion does not violate “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3-6), then we should not force that person to change his opinion to conform to ours. This does not violate First Corinthians 1:10, that “you all speak the same thing … that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” We will all be of the same mind and judgment when we believe and practice that matters of indifference are matters of indifference!

Second, our handling of opinions in matters of indifference must be motivated by our pursuit of building up the body of Christ. The word translated “edify [building up, NAS; mutual upbuilding, ESV]” is oikodome (οἰκοδομή), which means building up, strengthening, encouragement (Rom. 15:2; 1 Cor. 14:5, 12, 26; 2 Cor. 10:8; Eph. 2:21; 4:12). Forcing our opinion on matters of indifference does not build up and encourage the body of Christ. It does just the opposite. “Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died” (Rom. 14:15). To “grieve” means to cause pain or injury by forcing an opinion on him. To do so means that the one forcing his opinion is “no longer walking in love.” Love seeks what is in the best interest of its object. In this case:

Love not only liberates the Christian from the restrictions of a legal ethical code; it is free even to accept these restrictions [as long as they do not violate the Gospel] when others will be benefitted thereby. (Batey)

The result of a person forcing his opinion is that the other brother is destroyed for whom Christ also died. No wonder Jesus said:

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! (Mt. 18:6-7)

Conclusion

Error and those in error are serious and must not be taken lightly. However, we must make sure those whom we think are in error actually are in error and not just holding a difference of opinion in a matter of option, or expediency. If brethren are truly in error, those who are spiritual must restore them. The approach to restoration, however, will have to be customized within the framework of “a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1), because there is a sense in which all erring are not the same (Lk. 15:4-32 cf. Jude 22-23). May the Lord help each of us to seek and save the lost, including erring members of the church, realizing that “he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (Jas. 5:20).

Works Cited

Batey, Richard A. The Letter of Paul to the Romans. The Liv-
ing Word Commentary. Vol. 7. Ed. Everett Ferguson. 1969. Theophilos CD. Ver. 3.1.5. Abilene, TX: ACU Press, 2004.