[:en]The Weak and the Strong (vs. 1-23)
Paul was telling believers that in church, there are different opinions about what is right or wrong. We cannot agree on every subject but we can agree to disagree and not pass judgment on others. Rather, we should listen and accept and handle disputable matters with love. Never let differences of opinion cause division in church.
Weak faith is faith that is immature and has not yet developed to stand against external pressures. For example, if a person who worshiped idols becomes a Christian, he understands that Christ saved him through faith. But because of his past association, he may be badly shaken if he unknowingly eats meat that has been used in idol worship. If a person who adhere to Jewish holy days becomes a Christian, he knows that he is saved through faith and not by keeping the law. But when festival days come, he may feel guilty and unfaithful for not dedicating those days to God. Both are acting in accordance to their conscience but their honest conviction do not need to be made into rule of the church except those issues that are central to faith. Paul stressed the principles should be in essentials, unity in non-essentials and everything in love.
In Roman world, sacrifice was the center of their religious, social and domestic life. After a sacrifice was presented to a god in a pagan temple, only part of it was burned. The remainder was sent to the market to be sold. There, a Christian might unknowingly bought such meat in the market place and ate it. Should a Christian eat meat or not? There were 2 opinions. Some thought that since the idols were worthless, there was nothing wrong with eating meat that had been offered to idols. Others thought they have to check the source of meat or totally gave up eating meat to avoid guilty conscience.
Each person is accountable to Christ, not to men. So, “Let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way”: (v. 13) Our judgment should not based on opinion, personal dislikes or cultural bias but rather on the Word of God. For one day, we will stand before God and give a personal account of our life. We do not have to worry about what our Christian borthers have done.
Both strong and weak Christians can cause their brothers or sisters in Christ to stumble. The strong and insensitive Christian may use their freedom to offend other’s conscience. But the weak Christian may try to force others in with petty rules and regulations causing dissension in church. Paul wanted believers to be both strong in faith and sensitive to other’s needs. We have to constantly monitor the effects of our behavior on others and treat others with love, patience and self-restraint.
If the scripture is silent about certain matters, then we should follow our conscience. When God shows us that something is wrong for us, we should avoid it. But we should not look down on brethren who exercise their freedom in those areas. “Let us make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification” (v. 19)
Memory Verse:
“You, then, why do you judge your breother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. Every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God” (vs. 10-12)[:]