Wednesday, July 9 – Romans 14, 15

1. What does Paul say about disagreements among believers? (Romans 14:1)1)

2. For whom do we live and die? (Romans 14:7–8)

3. Why were the Scriptures written? (Romans 15:4)

4. What destination was Paul considering when he passed through Rome? (Romans 15:24)

Romans 14 focuses on unity in the church rather than debates about food or specific festival days. Paul encourages believers not to fight over these non-essential matters but to embrace and respect one another in love, even when there are disagreements on minor issues. The purpose of a Christian is not self-satisfaction, “not to please himself,” just as Christ lived not to please Himself, but to live in harmony (cf. Romans 14:7–8, 15:4).

These disputes in Rome centered on dietary habits and ceremonial days, not animal clean/unclean laws (which existed before Moses), but rather on matters like firstfruits offerings (Num. 8:8–15; Deut. 18:3–4), meat from improper sacrifices (Lev. 17:12–16), tithe-related foods (Deut. 26:13–14), menstruating women preparing food (Lev. 15:19–23), and food sacrificed to idols (1 Cor. 8:10). The Sabbath, established at Creation and observed before Moses, was not the focus. Here, Paul concentrated on ceremonial fasts and festival days. Understandably, these issues created tension as the church transitioned from Judaism to Christianity.

As the SDA Bible Commentary states:

“When Paul writes this epistle, his mind was full of the problems that had arisen in his conflicts with the Judaizers.” (CBA, Introduction to Romans, Theme)

“The First Epistle to the Corinthians was written less than a year before Romans. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that in 1 Cor. 8 and Rom. 14 Paul is dealing, in essence, with the same theme.” (CBA, Romans 14:1)

The ‘weak in faith’ are those followers of Jesus who have not yet reached maturity and can be affected by these issues. The behavior of a fellow believer can shake their faith. The ‘strong in faith’ are the more mature brothers and sisters who stand firm; no matter what they hear or see in others, their faith in Christ remains steadfast.

The warning is clear and strong for those who are more mature. It is timely for us; it was written for our instruction: “Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died” (Romans 14:15), “Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil” (Romans 14:16), and “Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food” (Romans 14:20).

In chapter 15, Paul says that he wanted to go to Rome but had not done so because he was committed to preaching in places where no church had yet been established. He devoted himself to this work, carrying it out from Jerusalem westward as far as Illyricum in the north of Greece.

After delivering the offerings for Jerusalem that he had gathered in Macedonia and Achaia, he planned to travel westward to Spain. On the way, he intended to visit the church in Rome.

Paul asks for the church’s prayers. Let us remember to pray for pastors and evangelists, God’s servants who preach His Word, so that God may protect and strengthen them. The enemy is always ready to use his instruments against them to hinder God’s work.

May God grant you a blessed day.