The Weak and the Strong

Today's Reading

Read Romans 14:1-12: "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables... Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?"

Then read Romans 15:1-7: "We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves... Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you."

Reflection

After the soaring theology of Romans 1-11 and the general ethical instruction of 12-13, Paul addresses a specific pastoral problem in the Roman church: disagreements between Jewish and Gentile Christians over food laws and sacred days.

Some believers — likely Jewish Christians — ate only vegetables (to avoid any possibility of eating non-kosher meat) and observed certain days as sacred. Others — likely Gentile Christians — ate everything and regarded all days alike. Both groups were judging each other: the "strong" despised the "weak" for their scruples, and the "weak" condemned the "strong" for their freedom.

N.T. Wright identifies the real issue:

"The issue in Romans 14-15 is not abstract theology. It is about Jewish and Gentile Christians eating together — or refusing to. Paul's answer is that the kingdom of God is not about food and drink but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Paul's instruction is nuanced. He clearly sides with the "strong" on the theological question — "I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself" (14:14). But he does not side with the strong on the relational question. The strong are to bear with the weak, not look down on them. "Let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother."

The principle is love: "If your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love." Freedom in Christ does not mean insisting on your rights at the expense of a brother's conscience. It means choosing to limit your freedom for the sake of another's well-being.

Calvin draws the Christological connection:

"We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Christ did not please himself. If the Son of God accommodated himself to our weakness, we can accommodate ourselves to our brother's."

Going Deeper

"Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." This is the summary. Christ welcomed you — not when you had your theology perfectly sorted but when you were weak, confused, and wrong about many things. You are to welcome others with the same radical hospitality. Today, consider: Is there someone in your church community whom you are judging over a secondary matter? How might you welcome them as Christ has welcomed you?