v.1-12
1. Theme: The attitude towards other b/s who has differing opinions/reasoning than you.
a. receive 信心軟弱的，你們要接納 (BDAG-to extend a welcome, receive in(to) one’s home or circle of acquaintances), and do not have disputes 但不要辯論 (BDAG-engagement in verbal conflict because of differing viewpoints, quarrel) v.1
(the reason for receiving: God has accepted him v.3) 因為神已經收納他了
(BKC) A believer with certain scruples (hesitate) is not to be welcomed into the fellowship with the intent of changing his views or opinions by quarreling with him about them.
b. must not despise v.3 吃的人不可輕看不吃的人
must not judge 不吃的人不可論斷吃的人 (BDAG-pass an unfavorable judgment upon, criticize, find fault with, condemn) in a sense that to make one falls他或站住，或跌倒 v.3-4 (Reason: we are not the master of our b/s)
c. Each must be fully convinced in his own mind (that they are doing it for the Lord) v.5 (BDAG-be fully convinced, assured, certain...Have perfect faith (i.e. limited by no doubt at all)...be fully assured by the Lord’s resurrection...every one must be fully convinced in the person’s own mind
Why we need to be fully convinced in our own mind? v.6-8 R.W. we did different things, but we do not do it for ourselves. We did that for the Lord. Not only in the matter of eating or observing the day, but in everything in our lives this should be our reason: for the Lord. In certain situation one may chose to live, one may chose to die v.8 (based on the parallel in sentence structure of v.6-8). And Christ is the Lord of both v.9.
One day God will examine us, we do not need to give an account of anyone else, except of ourselves before Him v.12.
(PNTC) Both strong and weak should realize that it is God, not they and those who think like them, whose verdict counts...In the last resort it is the power of God that matters. The Lord is able to make his servant stand, and he will
2. Summary
Do not try to quarrel, but to welcome into the home when our reasonings or viewpoints are different. This kind of difference is not about the truth. Even if we put the matters before God to judge the b/s will stand because God will defend them. For b/s to be fully assured or have perfect faith is important because this is what they do for the Lord and they need to give account for themselves in front of God one day.
3. Reflection
Many times, I believe in argument or reasonings or teaching others. I cannot accept people who has different opinions than mine. Being welcome in the home of God is not in my mind. I need to keep in mind the differences are not something that God will reject that person. Even if they think that way it does not make them a lesser Christian than I am.
Can I appreciate that if they do it for the Lord? Isnt that enough?
v.13-23
1. Two tier of things, one is less important than the other
less important: the food itself is clean or unclean v.14, what you eat 15, food and drink 17, 20
important:
(1) never place a obstacle or a trap before a b/s v.13/cause b/s stumble v.20, 21, a b/s is destroyed by your food v.15, a weak b/s eats with doubts is sinful v.23,
(2) be spoken of as evil v.16, or walk in love 15, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit 17 (serving Christ 18), pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another 19 (the work of God) v.20.
2. Wrong idea of putting the less important as important: judge/condemn/criticize 13, therefore, you will destroy other v.15 or as a whole you destroy the work of God and make other stumble v.20 (23 But the man who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not do so from faith, and whatever is not from faith is sin).
A. Why judging is placing an obstacle or a trap before a b/s? What did those judging actually did? What is the stumbling, trap, 13, 20, 21?
From v.22b-23, Blessed is the one who does not judge himself by what he approves. 23 But the man who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not do so from faith, and whatever is not from faith is sin.
the one Paul mainly spoke to is the "strong" Christian who eat everything. They condemned (judged) the food-abstainer (the weak Christian).
The weak Christian who still considers some food to be unclean v.14 will
(1) feel distress when you eat them v.15a. This is not walking in love.
(2) As a result of their condemnation the abstainer tried to eat everything, but not from their own approval, and that is not faith, and they sinned. The strong Christian therefore, destroyed the weak one v.15b-23.
(PNTC) The first exhortation in this section seems directed at both the weak and the strong, but thereafter the strong are primarily in view
Reflection: In the first section v.1-12, no one has sinned. God will make both party stand before Him. However, that is not the case now in v.13-23. The weak Christian will be destroyed/stumble and sinned v.15, 20, 21, 23, the work of God will be destroyed 20. The strong one will be spoken of as evil v.16 Therefore, the giving account before God is important to all Christians. And we need to watch out not to cross the line of what is our parts and what is not. Otherwise, we ourselves will be condemned by God in the judgment.
B. Why is the righteous, peace and joy being singled out as more important quantities than food in the kingdom of God v.17?
(PNTC) righteousness as fulfilled and peace promoted and preserved by believers … joy in the believer’s heart
C. What does "building up one another" or "the work of God" means v.19-20?
So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food
building=BDAG-of spiritual strengthening (s. οἰκοδομέω 3) edifying, edification (PNTC)[theologian A] it refers to what God does in the individual Christian, while [other] denies this and sees a reference to the church
Reflection: Letting others to have their own conviction is so important to the peace and joy in between us. Peace is the quality that edifying each other, not arguments. Obviously, no one get edify by our bright argument. When everyone gets edifying in peace, the church is built up. How important it is for us to hold my tongue and keep my view to myself if it is only a matter of opinion.
3. Replacing the wrong attitude with the right one.
13 Therefore (v.12 we all needed to give an account for ourselves to God) we must not pass judgment (condemn) on one another, but rather determine same word as judgment earlier, but here means decide, intend never to place an obstacle or a trap before a brother or sister
the word play illustrated exactly what we need to do, instead of judge, but this, instead, determine never to stumble others.
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