Romans 15

Seven Principles and a Prayer: Romans 15:1-6

Introduction

The apostle continues to set forth the obligation of the strong believer toward the weak. Paul has been saying that the weak believer is to be readily received in the fellowship of the local congregation. (Romans 14:1)

He has argued that special care should be shown toward those who are concerned about questionable non-essential elements of the faith lest peripheral issues overshadow the greater truths of the Christian life. As a strong believer himself, Paul is very sensitive about the weak brethren, in part, because there are always so many of them.

Of course, the reception of the weak brethren into spiritual fellowship must not be construed to mean that they are never be challenged to mature and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Growing in gospel grace will lead every believer to enjoy the religious liberties that faith brings. So the weak brethren should be challenged. There is grave danger in showing too much leniency toward those who are weak in understanding the gospel to the point that they become harmful to themselves and to others—as far as truth is concerned.

To confirm a person in legalism and prejudices is something that the Savior never did.

Time after time the Lord arrested erroneous thinking, but He always confronted individuals at the proper time. (Luke 14:16)

The proper time for righteous confrontation is when a particular situation demands that something be said or done that more accurately conforms to the perfect will of God.

This method of patiently waiting for a precise moment to teach a spiritual subject is in contrast to creating an environment of confrontation with leading questions guaranteed to create a debate among the brethren. That simply must not be done. (Romans 14:1) The strong believers are not to create a false standard of conduct for the weak believer or to engage in theological arguments that are of no profit.

In context, Paul does not seem to worry about the weak believer taking advantage of the strong believer as he does the reverse. Therefore, the apostle has set down point after point to establish the principles to guide the conduct of the strong believer toward the weak. By way of summary review seven great principles may be restated.

· The strong believer is to gently and graciously receive the weak believer who is concerned about questionable matters. (Romans 14:1)

· The strong believer is not to belittle, think harshly of, nor pass ultimate judgment upon the weak believer. (Romans 14:3,10)

· The strong believer is never to put before the weak believer any issue or situation that would tempt the weak believer to violate a personal principle and practice of faith. (Romans 14:13)

· The strong believer is not to recklessly destroy the value system of someone for whom Christ has died. (Romans 14:15)