Romans 14: Keep Convictions Between Yourself and God

Romans 14: Keep Convictions Between Yourself and God

Collin Leong. December 3, 2025


(v1-12) Do Not Judge Each Other

(v1-4) Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person only eats vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgement 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. 

Exp: In v4, Paul said that the master (God) will judge whether the person (who eats or do not eat) stand or fall. But in the next sentence, Paul said that the Lord is able to make him stand. How does Paul know that he will stand, if he follows his own rule not to judge others? Paul is not judging, but was giving an opinion that both of them will stand, based on His understanding of God's character. He believes that a merciful and a sustaining God will uphold both of them. God's verdict is preservation, not condemnation. Disputes over food do not determine salvation, there's no need to dispute over it. 

(v5-9) One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be full convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observe it in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. That's why Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 

Exp: In v7, Paul is speaking a general principle - whether you eat meat or only vegetables, or whether you consider one day better than the rest, you live or die to the Lord. This is the main principle that guides us, not the minor rituals that makes no difference in our lives. Many Christians today say that we should observe the Sabbath day on Saturday, while others say that we should worship on Sunday, as that's when Christ was resurrected. But both parties choose the day they want to honor God. To God, it makes no difference. In fact, ideally, we should honor, worship, read the word, pray to God everyday of our lives. 

(v10-12) Why do you pass judgement or despise your brother? We all stand before the judgement seat of God.  For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess (or shall give praise) to God.” (Isaiah 45:23)  So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Exp: Instead of judging others, we should judge ourselves, and change for the better, for at the end of the day, we answer to God how we think and how we act. 


(v13-23) Do Not Cause Another To Stumble

(v13-19) Let us not pass judgement on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God approved by men. So the let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Exp: Paul is not putting blame on the person who eats; In v3-4, he already told both not to judge each other. However, in this second part of the chapter, Paul is addressing the person that is "stronger in faith" to consider those weaker in faith. The strong have liberty, but liberty must be restrained by love. If their eating causes another to stumble, they bear responsibility. Freedom without regard for others becomes destructive. The strong must prioritize the brother’s spiritual well-being over their own rights. Since you are stronger in faith, then you should be the one taking the first step.

(v20-23) Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by hat he eats. It is good not eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes our brother to stumble. The faith you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. 

Exp: What does v22b-23 mean? This is about personal conscience before God. In v22b he said: "Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgement on himself for what he approves".  For example, he wants to eat pork, and he doesn't feel guilty about it as he has faith that God permits it. He doesn't have to "judge" himself after doing it. However, in v23, it says that if you have doubt about your choice, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. In other words, you do not have the faith in God that you are allowed do it, but you went ahead to do it. 

Paul said that "whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." (v23b). Faith here means trust in God’s will, not just intellectual belief. Hebrews 11:6 — “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Faith is the prerequisite for any action to be acceptable before God. Galatians 2:20 — “The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.” Paul frames the entire Christian life as lived “by faith.”


Key Messages

Romans 14 addresses how believers should handle differences in conscience and practice within the Christian community. Paul emphasizes unity, mutual respect, and love over disputable matters such as food laws and holy days. The chapter teaches that faith is lived out not only in personal conviction but also in consideration for others, aiming to build harmony in the body of Christ.

1. Welcome Those Weak in Faith (vv.1–4)

Paul urges believers to accept those whose faith is less mature, especially regarding dietary restrictions or traditions.

  • The "weak" may abstain from certain foods or observe special days, while the "strong" feel free in Christ.

  • Both are accountable to God, not to each other’s judgment.

Application: Practice inclusivity in the church. Avoid criticizing others for their personal convictions in non-essential matters. Build fellowship by respecting differences rather than creating division.

2. Live Unto the Lord (vv.5–9)

Believers may differ in how they honor God—through food, drink, or observance of days—but all should do so with the intention of glorifying Him.

  • Life and death belong to the Lord; Christ is the master of all.

Application: Anchor your choices in devotion to God. Whether in freedom or restraint, ensure your actions reflect worship and submission to Christ.

3. Do Not Judge or Despise (vv.10–12)

Paul reminds believers that judgment belongs to God alone. Each person will give an account before Him.

  • Condemning or despising fellow believers undermines unity and usurps God’s role as judge.

Application: Replace judgment with humility. Recognize that God alone sees the heart. Focus on your own accountability rather than criticizing others.

4. Do Not Be a Stumbling Block (vv.13–21)

Christian freedom must be exercised with love. If eating or drinking causes another believer to stumble, it is better to abstain.

  • The kingdom of God is not about food or drink but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.

  • Pursue what builds up rather than what tears down.

Application: Prioritize love over liberty. Be willing to limit personal freedoms for the sake of another’s conscience. Your responsibility is not only to God but also to the community of faith.

5. Keep Convictions Between Yourself and God (vv.22–23)

Faith and conscience are personal before God. Acting against conscience is sin, even if the matter itself is neutral.

  • Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.

Application: Live with integrity. Hold your convictions sincerely before God, without imposing them on others. Respect the conscience of fellow believers while remaining true to your own.

Romans 14 calls believers to balance personal conviction with communal responsibility. Unity in the church is preserved not by uniformity in practice but by mutual respect, love, and recognition that all stand accountable before God. In disputable matters, prioritize love, avoid judgment, and pursue peace. Your freedom in Christ should never come at the expense of another’s faith.











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