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their liberty in the interests of others who were not so advanced. Only in this way would
practical love and consideration prevail, and the unity between believers be maintained.
In this respect the Apostle had set an example himself. He said, "For though I be free
from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more"
(I.Cor.ix.19). He was always willing to restrict his liberty so that others might be helped
and encouraged. After all, the kingdom of God is not concerned with food and drink and
other subservient matters, but the really important things as "righteousness, peace, and
joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 14: 17).
To sum up, let us repeat verse 13, "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". Note the two senses of the word `judge' (krino in the original). In the
former clause it means `criticize', and in the latter `decide'. As in English, the Greek
word can be used for both senses.
Paul concludes the section:
"So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed
is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has
doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that
does not come from faith is sin" (14: 22, 23, N.I.V.).
Here the Apostle is saying that if a person does something which makes his
conscience uneasy, he is condemned at heart. The one who does it knowing that it is
permissible according to the Word of God is doing right and he does it "of faith".
Whatever is not "of faith" is sin, because the action does not arise from conviction. Thus
it is that the believer has the teaching of the holy Scriptures, the revelation of God's
character to exercise the Christian spirit indicated in Rom. 14: Added to this the
apostle Paul now brings forward the example of Christ Who "pleased not Himself".
"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please
ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbour for his good, to build him up. For
even Christ did not please Himself but, as it is written: `The insults of those who insult
you have fallen on me'. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach
us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have
hope" (15: 1-4, N.I.V.).
To those who follow Christ's example in practice, there can be only one result: they
will aim first to please the Lord; second their neighbour, with the aim to edify or build
him up in the truth, and thirdly they will be ready to receive all true believers without
discrimination, even though they may be weak in the faith.
"May the God Who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity
among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may
glorify the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
For I tell you that Christ become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to
confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His
mercy, as it is written: