The Triumph of Grace: Romans 9–16
Lesson Six—Page 1
Lesson Six—Romans 14:1–15:13 Accepting one another in Christ
14:1-12 The weak Christian and the strong Christian should accept each other
2. “do not pass judgment” •
How is the strong Christian tempted to pass judgment on the weak?
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How would the weak Christian pass judgment on the strong?
Verse 1 A few important distinctions are made here.
1. “who is weak in faith” Note the three contrasts below and define each. To which one is Paul referring? •
Faith vs. unbelief
3. “just a difference of opinion” Which of the following fall into the category of opinion (disputable matters)?
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Weak trust vs. strong trust
Weak knowledge vs. strong knowledge
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Christ is the Son of God
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a person should refrain from working on Sunday
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a Christian should practice church fellowship principles
The Triumph of Grace: Romans 9–16
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Lesson Six—Page 2
a person may drink beer
Complete the following sentences.
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the Bible’s teaching on the roles of men and women applies today as in the early church
The weak Christian should not pass judgment on the strong Christian and consider what he is doing as a faithdestroying sin. He must be sensitive to what is sin and what isn’t. The weak Christian may have a hard time imagining that what he thinks he cannot do is permissible for the other person to do, but he must do just that. The strong Christian is God’s servant and will enable the weak Christian . . .
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a church should refrain from using anything but an organ in its worship services
When it comes to matters of opinion, it is not important whether or not we agree with the practices of our fellow Christians, but whether or not we all . . .
Verses 2-12 Examine this section for hints as to the situation Paul was facing. Describe it below.
It is not so important that I accept the practices of my fellow Christians but that . . .
The Triumph of Grace: Romans 9–16
On the day of judgment it will not matter whether I have chosen to use or not use a disputable item, but whether I have . . .
Lesson Six—Page 3
What is the weak position?
Verse 15 What may be the final result of a strong Christian forcing his strength on a weak Christian? The weak Christian and the strong Christian should accept each other’s practices. What is important is that we all serve and give glory to the Lord. Verse 16 Give an example of a weak Christian speaking evil of a good gift God has allowed Christians to use. 14:13–15:4 The strong Christian should bear with the failings of the weak Christian
Verse 13 What should be the Christian’s greatest concern in dealing with a fellow Christian?
Verse 14 What is the strong position?
Verses 17,18 What are the most important qualities in the kingdom of God?
The Triumph of Grace: Romans 9–16
Verses 22,23 It is always a temptation to try and “teach” the weak Christian God’s will. After all, we reason, doesn’t God want us to build each other up and foster growth? Yes, but not at the expense of someone’s faith. Knowledge that harms a fellow Christian and causes him to do something he does not believe is right, something that “does not proceed from faith” causes him to fall. Forcing such knowledge on him is a sin and may cause him to fall from faith.
Lesson Six—Page 4
15:3-13 We ought to follow Christ’s example and accept one another as he has accepted us
Verse 3 Who is the greatest example of a strong person accepting and bearing with the failings of the weak?
Verses 1,2 The Christian should ____________________ the failings of
Verses 4-6 In this context, what does Paul mean by “agree with one another”?
the weak, not ____________________, ____________________ his neighbor.
The greater responsibility for maintaining peace lies with the strong Christian. He should not force his ways on the weak Christian, even though he is right.
Verse 7 What is the greatest benefit of our accepting one another?
The Triumph of Grace: Romans 9–16
Verses 8-12 Jesus accepted us, whether Jew or Gentile. He became a ____________________ of the Jews for the sake of the ____________________. This fact is proven by the passages Paul quotes from the Old Testament. If Jesus
Lesson Six—Page 5
Jesus accepted both Jews and Gentiles. He became a servant to the Jews so that the Gentiles might also share in God’s blessings. If Jesus acted like this, how can differences in practice caused by weak and strong faith destroy the unity into which Jesus called us through his life and death for all? They must not. Shared peace and joy enable us to focus on the hope of eternal life.
accepted us like this, how can we bring judgment down on the practices and failings of our fellow Christians? We can’t.
Verse 13 What is the connection between joy and peace on the one hand and hope on the other? In other words, why does hope increase when joy and peace are maintained in Christian unity?
Summary Christians will adopt different ways of worshiping God. Some of the differences may stem from a strong faith; others from a weak faith. These differences should never divide the church. Jesus accepted us all and wants us to live united in the faith, giving glory to God as we eagerly await the hope of heaven.
For next time Review Paul’s missionary journeys and what led to his trip to Rome, Acts 21–28.
The Triumph of Grace: Romans 9–16
Lesson Six—Page 6
Romans 14:1–15:13 (EHV) Strong and Weak Christians Both Belong to the Lord
14 Accept a person who is weak in faith, and do not pass judgment on things that are
just a difference of opinion. 2One person believes it is right to eat anything. Another person who is weak eats only vegetables. 3The one who eats everything should not look down on the person who does not do so, and the one who does not eat everything should not judge the person who does, because God has accepted him. 4Who are you to pass judgment on someone else’s servant? It is up to his master to decide whether that servant stands or falls. And he will stand, because God is able to make him stand. 5 One person values one day above another. Another person values every day the same. Let each person be fully convinced in his own mind. 6The person who honors a certain day does this for the Lord, and the person who eats does this for the Lord, because he gives thanks to God. And the person who does not eat does this for the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 In fact, not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself. 8Indeed, if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9For this reason he died, rose, and lived, to be Lord of both the dead and the living. Do Not Cause a Weak Christian to Stumble in Faith 10
But you, why do you pass judgment on your brother? And you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11Indeed, it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will acknowledge God. 12
So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, resolve never to put an obstacle or a snare in the path of your brother. 14I know, and I am convinced in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in and of itself, but it becomes unclean for the one who considers it to be unclean. 15For example, if your brother is offended because of the food you eat, you are no longer walking in line with love. Do not destroy that person for whom Christ died by the food you eat! 16So do not give others a reason to speak evil about what you consider good. 17 For the kingdom of God does not consist of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18Certainly a person who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and has the approval of people. 19Consequently, let us pursue those things that lead to peace and building up one another. 20 Do not tear down God’s work for the sake of food. Everything is pure, but it is wrong for a person to eat if it causes anyone to stumble. 21It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything if it causes your brother to stumble.
The Triumph of Grace: Romans 9–16
Lesson Six—Page 7
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Keep the conviction that you have in these matters between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because it does not proceed from faith. Everything that does not proceed from faith is sin. Serve One Another As Christ Served You
15 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the weaknesses of those who are
not strong, and not just to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for the good purpose of building him up. 3For even Christ did not please himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who are insulting you fell on me.” 4 Indeed, whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that, through patient endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we would have hope. 5 And may God, the source of patient endurance and encouragement, grant that you agree with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, 6so that with one mind, in one voice, you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 For this reason, accept one another as Christ also accepted you to the glory of God. 8 For I am saying that Christ became a servant of those who are circumcised for the sake of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs. 9He also did this so that the Gentiles would glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: For this reason I will praise you among the Gentiles, and I will sing to your name. 10
And again it says: Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.
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And again: Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples give him praise.
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And again Isaiah says: There will be a Root of Jesse, and he is the one who will rise up to rule the Gentiles; on him the Gentiles will place their hope.
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Now may the God of hope fill you with complete joy and peace as you continue to believe, so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.