Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 2 · Chapter 14 · Section 2 – Section 3
2. The Argument, methode, and parts.
IN this chapter the Apostle sheweth the vse of indifferent things, whereabout there was contention betweene the beleeuing Gentiles, and the conuerted of the Iewes: there are two parts. 1. the Apostle teacheth how the strong and weake should behaue themselues one toward an other, and vseth ioyntly arguments of perswasion to them both, to v. 13. then he dealeth with them apart, with the strong, to v. 22. then with the weake, v. 22, 23.
1. In the first part the case is propounded in two particular instances, the first v. 2, 3. concerning the eating, or not eating of hearbs: wherein he exhorteth them to mutuall concord, not one to iudge or condemne an other: 1. from their state or condition, they are of Gods familie, v. 3. and no man is to iudge an others seruant, the reason whereof is rendred; he standeth or falleth to his owne master, v. 4. 2. from the power of God, who is able to make them stand, and will most surely establish them, v. 4. therefore they must not be condemned or despaired of. The second instance is of obseruing, or not obseruing daies: which is propounded with an admonition, that nothing should be done without a full perswasion: then the reasons vntounto brotherly concord follow. 1. frō the end, because both the obseruer & not obseruer, do it to Gods glorie: which he proueth by the adiunct, their giuing of thanks, v. 6.
2. Argum. From the whole to the part: none of vsus liue or die to himselfe, v. 7. therefore the particular actions must be referred not to our selues, but to the glorie of God: the antecedent is prooued, that we liue not or die vntounto our selues, but vntounto the Lord, v. 8. from the ende of Christs death, and resurrection, v. 9.
3. Argum. It belongeth vntounto Christ to iudge, who is made Lord of all, v. 11. and eueryevery one must giuegive account vntounto him, v. 10. therefore one must not iudge an other, and so take Christs office vponupon them.
2. The Apostle now commeth to deale with such as are strong in faith, and sheweth how they should behaue themselues toward the weake: that they should giuegive them no occasion of stumbling or beeing offended.
This caution is first explaned, by a distinction: that although meates are not vncleane in themselues, yet to him that so iudgeth, they are vncleane, and he is thereby offended, v. 14. then follow the reasons.
1. He that grieueth his brother, walketh not charitably, 15. 2. he destroieth him, as much as in him lieth, for whome Christ died, 15. 3. causeth their libertie to be euill spoken of, 16. 4. from the propertie and condition of Christs kingdome, which consisteth not in meate and drinke, but in righteousnes and peace, 17. which he prooueth by the effects, they which serue Christ, therein please God. 5. ab vtili, from the commoditie ensuing: they must follow those things, which concerne peace, 18. 6. from the inconuenience feared, they shall destroy their brothers faith, which is Gods worke, 20. then he concludeth, that it is not good to eate or drinke, or to doe any thing, to cause the brother to stumble …, v. 21.
3. Lastly, he giueth a rule vntounto the weake, not to doe any thing with doubting or against their conscience, for therein they should condemne themselues: which he prooueth by the contrarie effects with their causes, he which doth not any thing against his iudgement is blessed, because he hath faith in himselfe: therefore he which eateth against his conscience is condemned, because he hath no faith: and whatsoeuer is not faith, and a sure perswasion, is sinne.