Kingdom Living.
Walk in Love. Verse 15
14:13–14. Paul’s opening sentence is both the final charge on the previous subject and the introduction to the new one: Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on (krinōmen, “condemning”) one another (pres. tense subjunctive, “no longer let us keep on judging or condemning one another”). Instead a Christian should judge himself and his actions so that he does not place a stumbling block (proskomma, lit., “something a person trips over”; cf. 1 Cor. 8:9 and comments on Rom. 14:20–21) or obstacle (skandalon, lit., “trap, snare,” and hence “anything that leads another to sin”; cf. 16:17) in his brother’s way (lit., “to the brother”).
Returning to the subject of food (14:2–3, 6), Paul expressed his own conviction (cf. v. 5) as a Christian that no food (lit., “nothing”) is unclean (koinon, “common”) in itself (cf. Acts 10:15; Rom. 14:20; 1 Cor. 8:8). The problem, however, is that not all Christians—especially some from a Jewish heritage—shared Paul’s conviction. Therefore Paul properly concluded, But if anyone regards (lit., “but to the one reckoning”) something as unclean (“common”), then for him it is unclean (cf. Titus 1:15). But if someone persisted in holding that conviction, he could bring harm to others. That is the point Paul made next (Rom. 14:15–18)
Nothing. That is, in this context, those kinds of foods that Paul has been speaking about here (see on v. 1). The word “nothing” must not be understood in its absolute sense. Words often convey more than one meaning; therefore, the particular definition intended must in each case be determined by the context. For example, when Paul said, “All things are lawful unto me” (1 Cor. 6:12), his statement, when isolated from the context, could be interpreted as a declaration that the apostle was a libertine. The context, which is a warning against immorality, immediately prohibits such a deduction (see comment there). Similarly in Ex. 16:4 the expression “every day” could be interpreted as meaning every day of the week. However, the context shows that the Sabbath is excluded.
Unclean. Gr. koinos, literally, “common.” This term was used to describe those things which, though “common” to the world, were forbidden to the pious Jew (see on Mark 7:2).
It is unclean. The uncleanness does not lie in the nature of the food but in the believer’s view of it. The “weak” (v. 1) Christian believes he ought not to eat foods offered to idols, for example, and makes it a matter of conscience to abstain from such foods. So long as he holds this conviction, it would be wrong for him to partake. He may be in error, judged from another’s point of view, but it would not be proper for him to act in violation of what he conscientiously supposes God requires (see v. 23)
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1.
What we all need is a more pure, Christlike sympathy; not sympathy for those who are perfect—they do not need it—but sympathy for poor, suffering, struggling souls who are often overtaken in fault, sinning and repenting, tempted and discouraged. The effect of grace is to soften and subdue the soul. Then all this cold unapproachableness is melted, subdued, and Christ appears.
The love of God alone can open and expand the heart, and give to love and sympathy a breadth and height that is without measure. Those who love Jesus will love all the children of God. The sense of personal infirmities and imperfections will lead the human agent to look away from self to Christ; and the Saviour’s love will break down every cold, Pharisaical barrier, it will banish all harshness and selfishness, and there will be a blending of soul with soul, even with those who are opposite in temperament.
The goodness and forbearance of God, His self-sacrificing love to sinful men, must lead all who discern His grace to manifest the same, to give sympathy liberally to others. The wonderful example of the life of Christ, the matchless tenderness with which He entered into the feelings of the oppressed soul, weeping with those that wept, rejoicing with all that rejoiced in His love, must have a deep influence upon the character of all who love God and keep His commandments.
They will give sympathy, not grudgingly but liberally; by kindly words and acts they will try to make the path just as easy for weary feet as they desire the path to be made for their feet. As we receive daily and hourly the blessing of God, we can do no less to show our gratitude than to have a kindly, unselfish interest in those for whom Christ has died. Have we blessings? Yes, we have. Well, Christ says, Pass them along to others, not to a favored few, but to all with whom we come in contact. We must give grace for grace.
Do not Blaspheme. Verse 16
Inherit the the Kingdom. Verse 17
17 For fthe kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.