Romans 14: “Judgment, Liberty, and Charity in the Community of Faith”
1. “Welcome Those Who Are Weak in Faith”
“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions.” (Rom 14:1)
Paul begins with a plea for welcome — hospitality of the heart.
In Rome, the Church contained both Jewish Christians (cautious about food laws) and Gentile converts (indifferent to them).
He calls for mutual respect, not arguments over non-essential issues.
St John Chrysostom explains:
“The weak is he who still fears what Christ has abolished; the strong is he who understands liberty yet uses it with love.”
(Homilies on Romans XXV)
Explanation: “Weak” and “Strong”
In Paul’s usage:
The weak = those with sensitive consciences, fearful of defilement (e.g. food, days).
The strong = those who know such things are indifferent (adiaphora), yet must not despise the scrupulous.
Both are called to charity: the weak not to judge, the strong not to scorn.
2. “One Believes He May Eat Anything, While the Weak Eats Only Vegetables”
“Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats.” (v. 3)
Faithful diversity in discipline must not destroy unity in charity.
Paul does not settle the question by command but by love.
St Augustine:
“Neither liberty without charity nor scruple without humility is safe. Love is the rule of both.”
(Letter 36)
3. “Who Are You to Pass Judgment on Another’s Servant?”
“It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (v. 4)
Judgment belongs to God, not to fellow servants.
The Lord upholds each believer according to conscience.
St Bede the Venerable:
“We stand by grace, not by the verdict of men; He who justifies knows the heart.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.41)
Explanation: “Conscience”
Conscience (from Latin con-scientia, “knowing with”) means the inner awareness of moral duty.
It must be informed by truth and Church teaching, yet remains personal.
Each believer must act according to a conscience properly formed — neither blindly rigid nor lazily permissive.
(cf. CCC 1776–1794)
4. “One Man Esteems One Day as Better than Another”
“While another man esteems all days alike. Let everyone be fully convinced in his own mind.” (v. 5)
Paul addresses disputes about holy days (likely Jewish festivals).
His principle: differing devotional practices are acceptable if done in honour of the Lord.
St Ambrose:
“Whether he fasts or feasts, it is to the Lord; diversity in practice, unity in intention.”
(On the Duties of the Clergy II.28)
5. “He Who Observes the Day, Observes It in Honour of the Lord”
“He who eats, eats in honour of the Lord… he who abstains, abstains in honour of the Lord.” (v. 6)
The same Lord sanctifies both liberty and restraint.
The question is motive: self-will or devotion?
St John Chrysostom:
“The rule of all is this: not what you do, but why you do it. Seek the Lord’s honour, not your own.”
(Homilies on Romans XXV)
6. “None of Us Lives to Himself”
“If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord.” (vv. 7–8)
Christian existence is theocentric — Christ at the centre.
Every act of life and death belongs to Him.
St Augustine:
“Whether living or dying, the Christian is not his own. He who bought him with blood possesses him wholly.”
(Sermon 301)
7. “Christ Died and Lived Again”
“That He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.” (v. 9)
Christ’s sovereignty extends beyond death.
Therefore we must not assume His role by judging hearts.
St Bede:
“The Judge is risen; to Him belongs the tribunal, to us belongs mercy.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.41)
8. “Why Do You Pass Judgment on Your Brother?”
“For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.” (v. 10)
Paul recalls Isaiah 45:23: “Every knee shall bow.”
All believers, weak and strong alike, answer to the same divine Judge.
St Ambrose warns:
“He who takes the seat of judgment loses the grace of humility.”
(On the Duties of the Clergy II.31)
9. “Each of Us Shall Give Account of Himself to God”
(v. 12)
Personal responsibility is absolute.
No one’s holiness excuses another’s sin; no one’s weakness condemns another’s soul.
St Augustine:
“Every man carries his own book to the judgment — written by his will.”
(Sermon 46)
10. “Therefore Let Us Not Pass Judgment Any More”
“But rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” (v. 13)
Charity limits liberty.
A Christian should refrain from actions that might scandalise or spiritually harm another.
St John Chrysostom:
“Liberty is precious, but the soul of your brother is more precious still.”
(Homilies on Romans XXVI)
Explanation: “Scandal”
Scandal (from Greek skandalon, “stumbling block”) means an action that leads another into sin or confusion.
It may not be wrong in itself, but it becomes sinful if it tempts or wounds another’s conscience.
Hence charity sometimes calls us to forgo lawful freedom.
11. “I Know and Am Persuaded in the Lord Jesus That Nothing Is Unclean in Itself”
“But it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.” (v. 14)
Paul affirms Christian liberty: food and ritual matters are morally indifferent.
Yet subjective conscience matters — if one believes something sinful, to act against that belief is sin.
St Bede:
“Better to err in scruple than to wound conscience by presumption.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.41)
12. “If Your Brother Is Grieved by What You Eat”
“You are no longer walking in love.” (v. 15)
Love is the supreme rule of action.
The strong must bear with the weak, even at personal cost.
St Augustine:
“Love never says, ‘What harm is it to me?’ but asks, ‘What harm might it do to thee?’”
(Sermon 86)
13. “Do Not Let What You Regard as Good Be Spoken of as Evil”
(v. 16)
Freedom misused becomes scandal and disrepute for the faith.
Christian liberty must adorn, not discredit, the Gospel.
St Ambrose:
“The good of liberty perishes when it ceases to edify.”
(On the Duties of the Clergy II.30)
14. “The Kingdom of God Is Not Food and Drink”
“But righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (v. 17)
Here Paul defines the essence of Christian religion: not external observances but interior grace — justice, peace, and joy.
St John Chrysostom:
“He shows them the true feast — not of the stomach but of the Spirit.”
(Homilies on Romans XXVI)
15. “Whoever Thus Serves Christ Is Acceptable to God”
“Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (vv. 18–19)
The measure of holiness is the edification (oikodomē) of others.
Every action should strengthen the Church’s unity.
St Bede:
“He builds the Church who builds a soul; peace is the mortar of the living temple.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.41)
16. “Do Not, for the Sake of Food, Destroy the Work of God”
“Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make others fall by what he eats.” (v. 20)
The “work of God” is the brother’s soul.
No appetite or opinion is worth its loss.
St Augustine:
“He who loves meat more than mercy has not tasted Christ.”
(Sermon 179)
17. “It Is Good Not to Eat Meat or Drink Wine or Do Anything That Makes Your Brother Stumble”
(v. 21)
Abstinence for the sake of love is the highest freedom.
Self-restraint can be an act of charity.
St Ambrose:
“Fasting for the sake of another is holier than fasting for oneself.”
(On the Duties of the Clergy II.29)
18. “The Faith That You Have, Keep Between Yourself and God”
“Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.” (v. 22)
Faith here means conviction — confidence before God.
The mature believer acts freely yet discreetly, without flaunting liberty or causing distress.
St Bede:
“He who is strong must be silent where speech would wound.”
(Homilies on the Gospels, I.41)
19. “Whoever Has Doubts Is Condemned If He Eats”
“Because the eating is not from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (v. 23)
Here “faith” means the inner assurance of conscience.
To act against conscience, even if mistaken, is to sin — for it defies what one believes God commands.
St Augustine:
“When conscience forbids, though law allow, disobedience begins within.”
(Sermon 169)
20. Theological Summary
| Theme | Explanation |
| Weak and strong | Two groups within the Church — both called to mutual charity. |
| Conscience | Personal moral awareness guided by faith and truth. |
| Scandal | Causing another to sin or doubt through careless liberty. |
| Essence of the Kingdom | Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit, not externals. |
| Unity in diversity | True strength shown by patience and love, not domination. |
21. Moral and Spiritual Application
Avoid judging others’ devotions. Respect different pieties and customs.
Form your conscience well. Study the faith, pray, and seek counsel.
Practise restraint for love’s sake. Liberty finds its perfection in charity.
Pursue peace. Seek what builds up, not what wins arguments.
Honour Christ in all. Whether you eat or abstain, live for the Lord.
22. Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace,
You have made us one body in Your Spirit.
Deliver us from pride and judgment,
and teach us to walk in charity toward the weak and the strong alike.
Give us minds renewed by truth
and hearts guided by love,
that in all things we may seek Your honour and our neighbour’s good.
You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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