Accept him whose faith is weakThis phrase emphasizes the importance of welcoming and embracing fellow believers who may not have the same level of spiritual maturity or understanding. In the early church, there was a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers, each bringing different backgrounds and practices. The "weak" in faith often refers to those who are more scrupulous about dietary laws or special days, possibly due to their Jewish heritage or a lack of understanding of Christian liberty. This call to acceptance reflects the broader biblical theme of unity within the body of Christ, as seen in passages like
1 Corinthians 8:9-13, where Paul discusses the importance of not causing a weaker brother to stumble.
without passing judgment on his opinions
This part of the verse instructs believers not to judge or criticize others for their personal convictions, especially in disputable matters. The early church faced various debates over issues such as food offered to idols, observance of holy days, and other cultural practices.Romans 14:1 encourages believers to focus on the essentials of the faith and to show grace in areas where Scripture allows for personal freedom. This aligns with Jesus' teaching inMatthew 7:1-5 about not judging others and the call to love one another as seen inJohn 13:34-35. The emphasis is on maintaining harmony and peace within the church community, recognizing that each believer is accountable to God for their own convictions.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of the Book of Romans, Paul is addressing the Christian community in Rome, providing guidance on how to live harmoniously despite differences in personal convictions.
2.
The Roman ChurchThe recipients of the letter, consisting of both Jewish and Gentile believers, who were navigating cultural and religious differences within the early Christian community.
3.
Weak in FaithRefers to believers who may have a more sensitive conscience or less understanding of their freedom in Christ, often struggling with issues like dietary laws or observing certain days.
Teaching Points
Acceptance Over JudgmentEmbrace fellow believers with differing opinions, focusing on unity rather than division.
Understanding Weakness in FaithRecognize that some believers may have different convictions due to their spiritual maturity or background, and approach them with compassion and patience.
Promoting Unity in DiversityEncourage a community where diverse practices and beliefs are respected, as long as they align with the core tenets of the faith.
Avoiding LegalismBe cautious of imposing personal convictions on others, understanding that our freedom in Christ allows for diversity in non-essential matters.
Building Each Other UpFocus on edifying one another, ensuring that our actions and attitudes contribute to the spiritual growth of the community.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Romans 14:1?
2.How can we welcome those "weak in faith" without passing judgment on them?
3.What does Romans 14:1 teach about accepting differing opinions within the church?
4.How does Romans 14:1 relate to Jesus' teachings on love and acceptance?
5.In what ways can we apply Romans 14:1 to modern church disagreements?
6.How can Romans 14:1 guide us in fostering unity among diverse believers?
7.How does Romans 14:1 address disputes over differing beliefs within the church?
8.What does Romans 14:1 teach about accepting those with weaker faith?
9.How should Christians handle disagreements on non-essential matters according to Romans 14:1?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Romans 14?
11.Romans 14 (entire chapter) – Does this chapter’s emphasis on personal conviction over collective rules lead to moral relativism within the church?
12.What does "weak in the faith" mean?
13.What does 'weak in the faith' mean?
14.What does Christian tolerance mean?What Does Romans 14:1 Mean
Accept him• The verse opens with a call to “accept” or welcome fellow believers. This is not mere tolerance but an intentional embrace into fellowship (Romans 15:7;John 6:37).
• The command is proactive—Christ receives us first (Luke 19:10), so we mirror His hospitality.
• The focus is on unity in Christ rather than uniformity in practice (Ephesians 4:2-3).
whose faith is weak• “Weak” points to a brother or sister whose conscience is easily unsettled by secondary issues (1 Corinthians 8:7-13).
• Rather than criticizing, we support and build them up (1 Thessalonians 5:14;Galatians 6:1-2).
• Everyone grows at a different pace; patience reflects God’s nurture of us (Mark 9:24;Philippians 1:6).
without passing judgment• Judgment here refers to condemning attitudes, not discernment (Matthew 7:1-2;James 4:11-12).
• We relinquish the gavel because God alone searches hearts (Romans 2:1-4).
• Instead of fault-finding, we practice the law of love (Galatians 5:14).
on his opinions• “Opinions” (or disputable matters) are preferences not essential to salvation—foods, days, cultural expressions (Colossians 2:16-17;Titus 3:9).
• Distinguish between core doctrine (non-negotiable) and conscience issues (negotiable) to avoid needless division (1 Timothy 1:4;2 Timothy 2:23).
• Freedom in Christ is exercised with sensitivity, never flaunted (1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31-33).
summaryRomans 14:1 calls believers to open-armed fellowship, especially toward brothers and sisters who struggle with secondary matters. We welcome them, recognizing differing maturity levels, refuse a condemning spirit, and hold personal preferences loosely. In doing so we reflect Christ’s love, safeguard unity, and create space for everyone to grow in faith.
(1)
Weak in the faith . . .--The presence of a single strong master-motive is apt to silence petty scruples. Where the "eye is single"--where all the powers and faculties of the man are concentrated upon one object, and that object the highest that can engage human thought or affection--there will naturally be a certain largeness of view. The opposite of this is to be "weak in the faith." There may be a sincere desire to lead a religious life, and yet the mind is taken up with petty details, each of which is painfully judged by itself, and not by reference to a central principle.
Receive ye.--Take to yourselves, stretch out the hand of friendship to him.
Doubtful disputations.--The marginal rendering is more exact, "to judge his doubtful thoughts," or "to criticise his scruples." The strong are to deal tenderly with the weak, and not engage them in casuistical discussions.
Verses 1-23. - F.
The duty of enlightened Christians towards weak brethren. From moral duties in general of Christians towards each other and towards all the apostle now passes to such as they owe peculiarly to each other as members of a religious community, united by a common faith. He has already (
Romans 12:16) admonished his readers to be "of the same mind one toward another;" but, as was remarked under that verse, this did not imply agreement of view on all subjects, such as is impossible where there are many minds. In this chapter he recognizes the impossibility, having immediately before him what was then patent, the inability of some, through prejudice or slowness of conception, to enter into views of the meaning of the gospel which to himself and the more enlightened were apparent. He by no means departs from what he says elsewhere (cf.
Galatians 1:6-10) about no denial of fundamental doctrine being allowable in the communion of the Church; but in matters not touching the foundation he does here inculcate a large and generous tolerance. In these, as in all other relations between men on the earth together, the all-inspiring principle of
charity is to rule. Who the "weak brethren" were whose scruples he especially inculcates tolerance of in this chapter cannot be decided positively. It will he seen that they were persons who thought it their duty to abstain from animal food, and perhaps also from wine (vers. 2, 21); and there is allusion also to observance of certain days (ver. 5). The views that have been taken are as follows: -
(1) That they were the same class of Jewish Christians as are spoken of in1 Corinthians 8. as over-scrupulous about eating of things that had been offered in sacrifice to idols.
(2) That they were such as were scrupulous in avoiding unclean meats, forbidden in the Mosaic Law. (Or, as Erasmus and others suggest, views (1) and (2) may be combined.)
(3) That they wereascetics. In favour of view . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Acceptπροσλαμβάνεσθε(proslambanesthe)Verb - Present Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4355:(a) I take to myself, (b) I take aside, (c) I welcome. From pros and lambano; to take to oneself, i.e. Use, lead, admit.him whoseΤὸν(Ton)Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.faithπίστει(pistei)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102:Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.is weak,ἀσθενοῦντα(asthenounta)Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 770:To be weak (physically: then morally), To be sick. From asthenes; to be feeble.withoutμὴ(mē)Adverb
Strong's 3361:Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.passing judgmentδιακρίσεις(diakriseis)Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1253:Distinguishing; hence: deciding, passing sentence on; the act of judgment, discernment. From diakrino; judicial estimation.on [his] opinions.διαλογισμῶν(dialogismōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 1261:From dialogizomai; discussion, i.e. consideration, or debate.
Links
Romans 14:1 NIVRomans 14:1 NLTRomans 14:1 ESVRomans 14:1 NASBRomans 14:1 KJV
Romans 14:1 BibleApps.comRomans 14:1 Biblia ParalelaRomans 14:1 Chinese BibleRomans 14:1 French BibleRomans 14:1 Catholic Bible
NT Letters: Romans 14:1 Now accept one who is weak (Rom. Ro) 
