Romans 14:1-4

SCRIPTURE

Romans 14:1-4
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. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

COMMENT

Opinions are not the same as doctrine. There are certain things that I believe are not up for debate, although I know that some would still argue what these are. Baptism, for instance. Some denominations believe it is required, and it is a part of their doctrine. Others believe differently. So lets not even go there. But there are certainly things that are opinion. Like, what color should the carpet be (although I have heard that churches have split over such details).

Food. Apparently Paul sees this as an opinion thing. What is interesting is that the strong person eats anything, the weak, only veggies. Me? I abstain from broccoli, unless it has cheese sauce. Is the one strong because they are not limited by laws? Are the others weak because they do not get enough protein? Does not matter, for Paul says that neither group should look down on the other. When it comes to matters of opinion, we are accountable to the  Master, not one another. Whatever one chooses, God is the one who upholds us all. Now if we could only agree on what is opinion...