Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.5UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.1UNLIKELY
Fear
0.1UNLIKELY
Joy
0.53LIKELY
Sadness
0.55LIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.73LIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0.62LIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.92LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.57LIKELY
Extraversion
0.16UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.21UNLIKELY
Emotional Range
0.49UNLIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Romans 14:8
Introduction
Romans 14 is a notorious passage for wrangling over which is ironic since unity is its theme.
But like most calls for unity, it has clear limits that are too often ignored in favor of unconditional unity.
Any group that comes together must have a basis for their unity.
And they must decide what differences they will overlook.
This passage speaks to the latter and assumes the former.
The Parties Involved
We have a stronger brother and a weaker brother (Rom.
14:1-3).
They both receive instruction.
But the weight is directed to the stronger brother.
The weaker brother is carrying a heavier load than is required (Rom.
14:2, 5).
This is important because many want to make this a matter of accepting those who have loosened God’s requirements in some area.
It is not sinful to forego what God has permitted but it is more than mere weakness to do what God has NOT permitted.
We are talking about two parties who are accepted by God (Rom.
14:3).
So you can’t say, this thing isn’t right BUT…Romans 14.
Romans 14 doesn’t allow that interpretation.
You have to start with, “this thing is acceptable to God but these people choose not to participate in this thing that IS acceptable to God.”
This excludes many issues.
Instrumental music, Religious holidays, Drinking, modesty, prom, etc.
This generally starts this way, “what they are doing may be unwise, but...”
So they are saying that the person doing this is the weaker brother, and we need to bear with their weakness.
But that doesn’t fit.
Because in each of these scenarios, even if we concede that none of these things are sinful (which I do not concede), they are all liberties being taken.
In the context of Romans 14, that would make them the stronger brother and we are in the position of weaker.
Now, I don’t mind being a weaker brother on any given issue.
That isn’t the problem here.
The issue is that the people who put these issues into Romans 14 don’t consider themselves to be the weaker brother.
They acknowledge that the other person is being “foolish” (a term that needs some attention) and that they wish they would change their behavior.
But then they something like, but it is not my place to judge.
But you have just judged them to be foolish.
That is a judgment.
And it is a judgment that the person taking that liberty is spiritually weaker than you are.
So whatever the Bible may say about people who make foolish choices, Romans 14 says nothing at all.
It does not allow for you to say, he is very foolish but I will abide with him for now.
What is Required
Contempt and judgment must be refrained from (Rom.
14:3).
Contempt is always condemned.
Judgment is often condemned (Jn.
7:24).
Contempt is what the strong might feel toward the weak (Rom.
14:3).
The idea here is to look down on and despise.
Think of rolling your eyes at or making snide remarks about someone’s personal convictions.
You’re still wearing a mask???
Judgment is what the weak feel toward the strong (Rom.
14:3).
So you have decided to forego some liberty because of real or perceived risks.
Then you look at someone who partakes of those liberties and question their devotion to God.
Participation in sporting events.
If you really respected and loved others, you’d be wearing a mask too, or you would get vaccinated, or take the same level of precautions I have deemed appropriate at this current moment.
These are the approaches that are to be maintained until we stand before God (Rom.
14:12).
So this means if it is any issue that you think eventually has to be resolved, “we can be patient for now but they are going to have to grow out of this”, then that issue doesn’t belong here.
These are issues you learn to live with the differences on.
Someone who doesn’t eat meat could be an elder in the church.
The idea of offense here is causing to sin (Rom.
14:15).
We are talking about destruction of a brother, not a brother who just really wishes everyone else who act like he does.
We live in an extremely easily offended society.
Paul has the reprimand not to judge to that person.
But the person who sincerely and humbly maintains some personal scruple should be respected and supported by his brethren and not ridiculed into giving up that scruple.
This passage does not allow for a “weak” brother to hold a group hostage to his whims.
It, in fact, counsels against that very sort of attitude.
Everyone should act in confidence (Rom.
14:22-23).
This doesn’t mean ignore your doubts.
It means that each one ought to do what they are certain is right.
That certainty ought to be built on loyalty to the King.
Conclusion
Unity is certainly Paul’s aim.
The unity that comes when all serve the same King.
If someone is disloyal to that King or acts against His authority, it breaks that unity.
But if some of His subjects eat one thing and others eat another, it does nothing (or should do nothing to the unity).
Would you join the fellowship of those in service to this King?
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9