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Presented, August 6, 2006 pm
THINKING ABOUT YOUR BRETHREN
Romans 14:13-21
Tonight, we continue our study of the book of Romans. The past several lessons have dealt with this important and often abused chapter. It is a chapter that calls upon brethren to give consideration of one another. In matters of liberty (we have established these as ones about which God is indifferent) we need to be careful in judging them realizing that each of us will stand one day before God and answer for our own life. We need to be careful not to bind where God has not bound and respect one another.
In the text we want to examine this evening we find Paul continuing to address these matters of liberty with an even stronger admonition. Thus far he has dealt with our attitudes toward one another. Namely we have noted that we ought not to judge one another in such matters.
Now he deals with our actions. In the verses we wish to study this evening we find how we are to act if what we do poses a danger to the souls of our brethren. This is another complex study because we are dealing with matters that offend and/or cause our brethren to stumble. I ask, is there a difference? Also, what godly characteristics do we need to pursue in dealing with our brethren? We will answer these questions tonight. In our next lesson in this study, we will address the conscience.
I. What it means to stumble or offend
Before we examine the context, we need to define some terms: (vs. 21)
a.
Stumbling block – (13) – Thayer defines this term as,
“an obstacle in the way which if one strike his foot against he necessarily
stumbles or falls.” The Word Study dictionary of the New Testament describes
the term as used figuratively noting, “a cause of falling, an occasion of
sinning.”
The term is found in Romans 9:32-33 (twice) dealing with Israel being rejected
by God because they stumbled across the truth and did not react properly. It
resulted in their fall. Also see 1 Peter 2:8
This word is also found in our text in verse 20 – “it is evil for that man who
eats with offense.”
b.
Stumble (21) – akin to the above word. While the
above describes the object that causes on to fall or trip up, the word here
describes the action of tripping (a verb).
John 11:9-10, where Jesus call for us to walk in the day so that we will not
stumble.
Again 1 Peter 2:8 – “they stumble, being disobedient to the word…” They stumble
on the stumbling stone
c.
Offend (21) (not in ASV) – another term that can mean
one of two things. IT can mean either to trip us (as in the above) or to
scandalize, or cause one to feel displeasure or be upset at a thing. (Thayer)
Context dictates. Matthew 26:31-33, when Jesus tells His apostles that they
all would “made to stumble because of Me…” The KJV says, “All ye shall be
offended because of Me…”
Mark 9:42-47 where the term is used 4 times – speaking of your foot, hand or eye
“offend thee” or if you cause a child to be offended. Note, NKJV uses the words
stumble and made to sin. This is understood.
Concerning feelings of displeasure, consider Matthew 15:37, the people of
Nazareth were offended at the teachings of Jesus. John 6:61 speaks of
disciples murmuring at the hard teachings of Jesus prompting Him to ask, “Does
this offend you?” NOTE: Whenever the term is used in this fashion, it is
always a negative reaction to the truth, not simply hurting someone’s feelings
because you say something.
NOTE: It needs to be observed that this word is not found in older
manuscripts and thus is omitted from some translations.
d. Made weak (Not in ASV) – A word often translated sick, diseased or made weak. It means to be without strength, powerless, sick. Again, it is not the results of one’s conduct, not merely a feeling. Here it would be one spiritually sick or whose standing before God has been damaged because of a brother being inconsiderate in exercising his freedoms.
e.
What these
words do NOT mean – to simply hurt
someone’s feelings. They deal with conduct which tempts a weak brother and
causes him to sin or causes grief.
Consider 1 Corinthians 8:4-13 – dealing with meats offered to idols, Paul is
concerned with how his freedom to act will impact his brethren. If your actions
cause your brother to sin, he has a problem – BUT so do you!
A similar thought is also addressed in 1 Corinthians 10:23-33.
f.
Do we need to consider the feelings of our brethren?
Yes! Unquestionably, we need to.
We have studied numerous passages that call for us to think about our brethren.
Romans 12:10, 16, 14:19, etc. Even our context is telling us think about them
as we act and we need to REACT based upon how it will affect them.
Much of the New Testament deals with this. Philippians 2:1-4, Ephesians 4:1-3,
1 Peter 5:5, etc.
BUT, while we ought to be considerate of the feelings of others, especially our
brethren, that is not the ONLY factor that we use in determining either what we
say or do.
There are some who wear their feelings on their sleeve (e.g. they are “thin
skinned”) and are easily offended in this sense. If they are given their way
all the time, NOTHING would ever be done. There are some to whom we should not
yield, “even for an hour” (Gal. 2:5). In all we do, we must give
consideration to what is best!
But, on the other hand, we MUST give consideration to how our actions will
affect them. We should not be rude simply for the sake of being rude or because
we can.
We ought to always remember Matthew 7:12, the golden rule, in dealing with
others.
Keeping these thoughts in mind, let us briefly consider the context here.
II. The Context
a. Vs. 13 – Resolve thus, to not put a stumbling block in a brother’s way. This is our goal. When we act, we must consider HOW it impacts our brethren.
b.
Vs. 14 – If you think it is unclean, it is!
Conscience (our next study).
Keep this in context: When the word, “nothing” and “anything” are used here and
“all things” in vs. 20, it is obvious there are qualifications to this. If not,
there are not any rules that we are bound by. The terms refer to matters of
liberty as used in this chapter (and start of the next).
c.
Vs. 15 – Think of your brother before you act, even in
matters of liberty. What are you willing to give up for the sake of your
brethren?
NOTE that here we are dealing with the stronger brother (see Rom.
15:1) who by his actions causes problems with one who is weaker in
this matter..
Note how this verse speaks of your brother being “grieved” because of your
food. The word means, “to grieve, afflict with sorrow, …” (WS Dictionary of
NT). Thayer says it means, “to make one uneasy, cause him a scruple.” I
think of more than one who is merely upset, but one who is deeply troubled and
disturbed because of the way he is being treated. I think of one who is
struggling with a personal weakness and the actions of his brother are making it
more difficult to resist.
This is NOT the same thing as being offended as we use the word today.
Usually when one is offended today, it is not a matter of being grieved, but
ones own personal dislike.
d. Vs. 16 – Do not let your good be evil spoken of. This is the consequence of bitter divisions. While divisions must sometimes take place, there is ALWAYS a price. Here Paul notes, IF your liberties (things which are good within themselves – and thus those matters over which we should NEVER divide) cause the name of the church and/or you as an individual to be evil spoken of, you have done more damage than good. What are you willing to do to someone else JUST TO GET YOUR WAY? AND what are you NOT willing to do FOR someone else JUST TO GET YOUR WAY?
e.
Vs. 17-18 – Spiritual vs. physical – which is more
important?
Continuing his thought from vs. 16, Paul reminds brethren of the nature of the
kingdom. It is not about food, drink and days – but godly attitudes.
Note the attitudes mentioned, they are the product of Christian unity.
When one acts properly, putting the kingdom of God above himself two things will
happen: 1) He pleases God and 2) he is acceptable among men, primarily his
brethren. Think about it: Thinking about others will go much farther in
promoting a pleasant environment, than selfish pursuits.
f.
Vs. 19 – Pursue peace and edification.
Therefore: What happens when our actions are weighed by their impact on others?
We pursue peace.
Christians need peace – Romans 12:18, as much as is possible, live peaceably
with all men.
Hebrews 12:14 – Pursue peace with all people, without which no one will see
the Lord.
1 Peter 3:10-11, “For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him
refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn
away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.” A quote from
Psalm 34:12-16.
Now I ask, How far am I willing to go to make peace (without compromise of
course)?
Next, we are to pursue things by which we may edify one another. The word
edify means to build up and is so translated in some versions. It too is
often addressed in the New Testament:
Romans 15:2 in concluding this discussion, Paul says, “Let each of us please
his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another,
just as you are doing.”
1 Corinthians 14:12, “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts,
let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.” [A text
dealing with spiritual gifts which differed among brethren. Rather than being
jealous of what other possessed, they were to seek for the building up of the
body. MUCH LIKE OUR TEXT!]
In matters of liberty we must ask, “Are my actions building up the brethren?”
How am I dealing with our differences? Are all things being done “above board”?
Or are they being done in an underhanded fashion? Are you willing to yield all
that you possibly can?
We will conclude our lesson noting verses 20-21where Paul notes that we should NOT destroy the work of God for the sake of food (or observing days, etc). Think of your brother – and do NOTHING that will cause your brother to stumble, be offended or made weak. Simply stated, THINK OF YOUR BROTHER!