Category: Romans 14

Romans 14:13 – Judge Yourself

Posted on by Will

Therefore we should not judge one another anymore, but rather decide not to put a stumbling block or a hindrance in our brother's way.

Truth to Learn

Our actions should not hinder the relationship between our brother or sister and the Lord Jesus Christ; it should enhance it.

 

Behind the Words

Paul starts off this verse with the Greek word mēketi, which is made up of mē, meaning “not” and eti, meaning “anymore.” Hence, mēketi means, “not any more” or “no longer.” It carries the notion that there is something which was being done which will cease to be done.

This use of the verb “judge” is from the Greek verb krinō, which is in the subjunctive mood, implying action which is possible or probable. So this phrase is translated, “Therefore we should not judge one another anymore …”

“Decide” is also translated from krinō; however, here it is expressed in the imperative mood meaning “you must do this.” It is as if Paul were saying, “Therefore you should not judge one another anymore, but you must judge yourselves in this.”

The word translated “stumbling block” is proskomma, which refers to “something that someone hits or runs into.” Figuratively this refers to something that someone stubs their toe on or trips over.

The word translated “a hindrance” is skandalon, which is “the trigger of a trap which when touched causes the trap to close.”

 

Meaning Explained

This verse contains the second half of the conclusion that Paul started in the previous verse. There we were told that the reason we are not to judge other Christians is because each of us will give an account of ourselves, not of others, to God at the judgment seat of Christ.

Now he reiterates how we should behave toward other Christians. First, we are to stop condemning each other. Notice that Paul uses the pronoun “we” in this phrase, indicating that he, too, needs to stop judging other Christians.

The second thing that Paul tells us here is more forceful than the first. He commands us to judge our own actions so that we won’t cause other Christians to fall. And, we are to judge our own actions to ensure that we don’t do anything that will cause our Christian brother or sister to sin. In other words, we are to be constantly watching our own actions to ensure that what we do doesn’t either cause another Christian to stumble in their walk with God or cause them to become entrapped in sin.

Some translations express skandalon as “an offense.” Though this is a reasonable translation, it is often misunderstood. It does not refer to something that will offend another Christian, rather something that will cause them to be ensnared by sin.

 

Application

Are you watching your Christian brothers and sisters in order to judge their actions as right or wrong? Or are you watching and judging yourself to ensure that you do not do something that will cause your brother or sister in Christ to stumble or sin?” Again, it’s a matter of where your focus is!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 14:12 – Personal Testimony

Posted on by Will

So then each of us will give account of himself to God.

Truth to Learn

All Christians will have to testify regarding what they have done for God while on this earth.

 

Behind the Words

Paul starts off the current verse with the Greek words ara oun, which basically mean, “So, in conclusion, …” This expression applies to what he will say in this and the following verse.

“Each” is translated from the Greek word hekastos, meaning “each one” or “every one.” It is expressed in the singular, indicating that we will be standing individually before the Judge. Only our individual actions will matter.

The word “give” is didōmi, which means “to deliver up” or “to give over.” And “account” is logos, meaning “a word” or “something said.” Thus, it appears that we will each have to talk about how we spent the life that was given to us.

“Himself” is the reflexive pronoun heautou, indicating that the account given will be that of the one giving the account not of anyone else.

 

Meaning Explained

Let me start off by saying that this verse clearly shows that Paul believed that Jesus Christ is God. You will notice that this verse is still in reference to the judgment seat (bematos) of Christ, and it is clearly Jesus Christ who is sitting on this seat. Also, in John’s gospel account our Lord taught that the Father entrusts all judgment to the Son.

For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, (John 5:22)

Yet in this verse, Paul tells us that we will have to give an explanation of our actions to God. Jesus Christ is the Creator, our Savior, our Judge, and our God.

The next thing that Paul has to say regarding our appearance before the bema seat of Christ is that “each one of us will give account concerning himself to God.” That is, when we appear before Christ’s judgment seat, we will have to give an explanation of what we have done for Him. We will not be called upon to give testimony about anyone else, nor will He be calling us as a witness to anyone else’s actions, only our own. Therefore, since God’s focus at the judgment seat of Christ will be on our works done for His glory, our focus in this earthly life needs to be on what we are doing for God, not on what other Christians are or aren’t doing.

Also, notice very carefully that this is a judgment of our works, not our sins. According to 2Corinthians 5:10, which we looked at a couple of verses back, this judgment will be “according to what each person has done.” Our sins, on the other hand, have already been judged. They were judged at the cross when Christ paid the penalty for all our sins with His blood. When we believed God’s promise, like Abraham we were declared righteous. All of our sins – past, present, and future – were judged and paid for; hence, they cannot be the subject of the judgment seat of Christ.

 

Application

Let us all judge our own actions, not the actions of other Christians, so that He will judge them worthy on that day! We would all rather receive rewards than the smell of smoke.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 14:11 – He Is LORD!

Posted on by Will

For it is written: "As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will confess to God."

Truth to Learn

We need to recognize God’s sovereignty now as we will eternally.

 

Behind the Words

“Confess” is translated from the Greek verb exomologeō, which is made up of ex, meaning “out,” used here as an intensifier and homologeō, meaning “to agree with, to have the same thoughts as, or to assent.” Homologeō is usually translated as “confess” which means to agree with God regarding His verdict against our sin. Thus, exomologeō means “to proclaim in agreement that God is who He claims to be.”

 

Meaning Explained

This verse is quoted from Isaiah 45:23 which says:

I have sworn by Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.

As can be clearly seen, this is not a direct quotation for there are a couple of significant differences. Isaiah says, “I have sworn by Myself” whereas Paul says, “As surely as I live.” We learn in Hebrews 6:13 that God can swear by no one greater than Himself. We also know from Exodus 3:14 that Jehovah is the self-existing one; He has life in Himself. So, Paul’s expression, “As I live” is a declaration by God that He is the author of life itself, and as such, there is no one greater than He is. So it is roughly equivalent to “I have sworn by Myself.”

The other significant difference between Isaiah 45:23 and Paul’s quotation of it is that Isaiah says “every tongue will swear allegiance,” whereas Paul says “every tongue will confess to God.” The Hebrew word translated “swear allegiance” is the same word translated “I have sworn.” It means to swear an oath. The expression “every tongue will swear allegiance” means that everyone will swear an oath of allegiance to the supreme God. Thus, again, what Isaiah said and what Paul is saying are effectively the same.

The context of Isaiah’s proclamation seems to imply that every tongue among the Israelites will swear the oath of allegiance, and the context of the current verse (at the bema seat judgment) implies every tongue among the righteous. Thus, it appears to be a different event from Philippians 2:10, 11 which involves all created beings, righteous and unrighteous.

Paul’s point in the current verse, and the reason he quotes the particular passage in Isaiah, is that we should not be judging or despising our brothers and sisters in Christ because we (Christians) will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and there we will all bow before Him and confess that He is our Lord, our Judge, and our God

And, if we are submitted to Him and committed to doing His will now, then we will be too busy to worry about whether or not our brother or sister is convicted the same way we are.

 

Application

We are all guilty of casting judgment against our fellow Christians from time to time. Our sin nature wants to exalt itself by condemning others, but this is nothing more than selfish pride. Instead, we need to submit to our Lord and Master and focus our attention on serving Him in a manner that will please Him and bring glory to His name. If we all do that, we won’t be judgmental of other Christians and together we can proclaim His sovereignty and majesty.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 14:10 – Rewards For Works

Posted on by Will

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you despise your brother? For all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Truth to Learn

Christ will judge all the works of all Christians.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “judgment seat” is the Greek word bematos, which means “an elevated step often with a seat upon it where a judgment or tribunal is held.” In the 1st century A.D. a bematos was where the victor in a race or other contest was awarded a crown (wreath) by the judge who sat on the bema seat. A bematos was always used as a place to hand out awards.

 

Meaning Explained

If we compare this verse to verse three we will see that Paul is talking to both the Jewish converts and the Gentile converts in the church at Rome. Back in verse three Paul told the Jewish believers not to “judge” the Gentile believers, and he told the Gentile believers not to “despise” the Jewish believers. The words in this verse translated “judge” and “despise” are these same two words. The reason we should not judge or despise other believers is that Christians are all going to appear before the judgment (bema) seat of Christ. At this bema seat, Christ will judge the works of all believers, Jew or Gentile. Those who are judged will be given rewards, in the form of crowns, for the works they have done while on this earth.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2Corinthians 5:10)

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1Corinthians 3:12-15)

It is the works of believers that are judged at the bema seat. We shall receive rewards for the works which have been done for Him. The works which we have done for ourselves will be burned up. According to 1Corinthians 3:13, the fire will “try” our works. This word is the Greek word dokimadzo, which means “testing or proving a thing to find its worth or goodness.” Hence, the judgment of the bema seat is for the purpose of finding good so that rewards can be given, not for the purpose of finding bad to be punished. Also notice that as the fire “tries” our works, those which are worthless will be burned up. There is no penalty or punishment, simply a loss of what was done because it is worthless in God’s eyes.

 

Application

We should not be judging the things that our brothers and sisters in Christ are doing. Instead, we should be focusing on doing works of righteousness that will bring glory to God, which He will judge and for which He will reward us.

Are you performing works that are worthy of reward from your Lord? Or are you too busy being critical of your brother or sister in Christ? We are not the judge, He is!

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you despise your brother? For all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Truth to Learn

Christ will judge all the works of all Christians.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “judgment seat” is the Greek word bematos, which means “an elevated step often with a seat upon it where a judgment or tribunal is held.” In the 1st century A.D. a bematos was where the victor in a race or other contest was awarded a crown (wreath) by the judge who sat on the bema seat. A bematos was always used as a place to hand out awards.

 

Meaning Explained

If we compare this verse to verse three we will see that Paul is talking to both the Jewish converts and the Gentile converts in the church at Rome. Back in verse three Paul told the Jewish believers not to “judge” the Gentile believers, and he told the Gentile believers not to “despise” the Jewish believers. The words in this verse translated “judge” and “despise” are these same two words. The reason we should not judge or despise other believers is that Christians are all going to appear before the judgment (bema) seat of Christ. At this bema seat, Christ will judge the works of all believers, Jew or Gentile. Those who are judged will be given rewards, in the form of crowns, for the works they have done while on this earth.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2Corinthians 5:10)

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1Corinthians 3:12-15)

It is the works of believers that are judged at the bema seat. We shall receive rewards for the works which have been done for Him. The works which we have done for ourselves will be burned up. According to 1Corinthians 3:13, the fire will “try” our works. This word is the Greek word dokimadzo, which means “testing or proving a thing to find its worth or goodness.” Hence, the judgment of the bema seat is for the purpose of finding good so that rewards can be given, not for the purpose of finding bad to be punished. Also notice that as the fire “tries” our works, those which are worthless will be burned up. There is no penalty or punishment, simply a loss of what was done because it is worthless in God’s eyes.

 

Application

We should not be judging the things that our brothers and sisters in Christ are doing. Instead, we should be focusing on doing works of righteousness that will bring glory to God, which He will judge and for which He will reward us.

Are you performing works that are worthy of reward from your Lord? Or are you too busy being critical of your brother or sister in Christ? We are not the judge, He is!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 14:9 – Lord Of All

Posted on by Will

For to this end Christ died and rose and lived, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Truth to Learn

Jesus Christ is Lord of all!

 

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “rose” is anhistēmi, which is made up of ana, meaning “again” and histēmi, meaning “to stand.” Hence, anhistēmi means “to stand-up again” or “to rise again.” This word, however, is missing in many manuscripts and is rejected by many Biblical scholars. Fortunately, this does not materially alter the meaning or intent of this verse because it is the fact that Christ both died and lives again that makes Him the Christ and our Savior.

The verb translated “might be Lord” is from the Greek word, kurieuō, which is based on the noun kurios, meaning “lord.” Kurieuō means “to have or exercise rule or authority over.” This word carries the idea of His being “proprietor” or “owner” as well as “ruler.” It means that He exercises entire dominion over us, as our sovereign Lord and Master.

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we talked about the fact that we don’t have control of the time of our death. That is strictly up to our Lord. He is our owner and our master if we have truly submitted to Him and accepted Christ’s death on the cross as payment for our sins. That’s Paul’s point in this verse. It is that Lordship of Christ over us for which He died and lives again. He shed His blood and came back from the dead so that He might be our Lord whether we are alive or dead.

Since both “life” and “death” are used throughout the New Testament in reference to both the physical and spiritual realms, it is unclear whether Paul’s statement is regarding all living creatures, all of mankind, or only those whom God has declared righteous. The context up to this point in Paul’s letter would seem to indicate that he is referring to the righteous ones. In verse eleven, however, it becomes clear that Paul is including every intelligent creature (both physical and spirit).

Jesus Christ, the second person of the godhead, has always been Lord over all created beings; however, it is a result of belief in His resurrection from the dead, the fact that He is alive, that descendants of Adam are declared righteous. Thus, it appears that Paul’s reference here is to both saved and unsaved (spiritually alive and spiritually dead), whether they are physically alive or dead. It is not unlike Paul at all to use such a “play on words” to drive home the truths of his teaching. Jesus Christ is Lord of all—those who are alive physically as well as those who are dead physically, and He is Lord of those who are alive spiritually as well as those who are dead spiritually. He is Lord of all!

 

Application

After death, those who have rejected Christ will learn, to their horror, that they have rejected God Himself. Their eternal fate will have been sealed with no chance to change their mind. For those of us who have believed in His death and resurrection, we know Him as Savior right now. We also have a choice to believe and live like Jesus Christ is our Lord. After death we will completely know His lordship over us. Are you living now as if He is your Lord, or is He just your Savior?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 14:8 – Still On The Altar?

Posted on by Will

For if we should live, we live to the Lord; and if we should die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we might live or die, we are the Lord's.

Truth to Learn

Living to the Lord is submission to His will.

 

Behind the Words

The subtlety of this verse is in the mood of the verbs in the translated phrases, “if we should live” and “if we should die.” Greek verbs can be expressed in four different moods. In the indicative mood the action is conceived of as fact. The subjunctive mood expresses action that is possible or probable (one step away from actually happening). The optative mood expresses action that is wished for or questioned (two steps away from actually happening). Finally, the imperative mood expresses a command, indicating action that is not a fact but that needs to be.

The word translated “if” is the Greek word ean, which is a conditional particle, and the words translated “we should live” and “we should die” are in the subjunctive mood. As explained above, the subjunctive mood in Greek expresses the notion of possibility. Therefore, in this verse Paul is stating that it is possible that we will continue to live, but it is also possible that we will die; however, we don’t know which will happen to us.

 

Meaning Explained

What Paul is saying is, “If we should continue to live, it is our Lord’s doing; therefore, we live in relation to Him, at His discretion. If we should die, it is our Lord’s doing; therefore, we will die at His discretion. Either way it is the Lord who controls when we will die. We are not in control, He is!

Now, tie this in with what Paul has been talking about: whether or not to eat certain foods and whether or not to hold a particular day of the week more sacred than the rest. It doesn’t really matter whether we believe some foods are forbidden or not, and it doesn’t matter whether we hold one day more sacred than the others, as long as we hold these beliefs because God has convicted us about them. Notice I said, because God has convicted us about them. We do not have the freedom to behave however we please. Our convictions have to be based on what God’s Word teaches us. These convictions must be based on a continual study of the Bible and a close daily walk with Almighty God. An immature Christian who doesn’t yet have a firm understanding of God or a close intimate relationship with God will not necessarily have the same convictions that a mature Christian might have.

Therefore, since this is a matter of conviction and not of doctrine, we should not judge our brother or sister in Christ for acting differently than we do. If we live to the Lord, we will follow what He wants for us and not be concerned about what a brother or sister is eating or how they treat a certain day of the week. Only when we are completely submitted to Him can we be completely living, or dying, for Him.

 

Application

The important matter is whether or not we are submitted to God’s lordship over us and committed to doing His will, not what kind of food we eat or how we treat days of the week. If we have our gaze fixed on our fellow Christians and are judging what they do or don’t do, then we don’t have our gaze where it should be: fixed on our Lord and Master. If we are a living sacrifice, we are living for Him and we are submitted to His will.

Are you still on the altar or have you climbed off?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 14:7 – Life Focus

Posted on by Will

For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.

Truth to Learn

Christians are not to live for themselves, but for God.

 

Behind the Words

“Lives” is translated from the verb dzaō, which always refers to “life.” It is used to express both physical life and spiritual life. In the ancient Greek Attic dialect (initially spoken primarily around Athens) this verb was only used in the present and perfect tenses. In all other tenses they used the verb bioō, meaning “to spend one’s existence.”

The word translated “dies” is from the Greek word apothnēskō, which is composed of apo, meaning “away from, in time or location” and thnēskō, meaning “to die, either physically of spiritually.” Thus, apothnēskō means “to die away” or “to die off.” It is used in a stronger sense than thnēskō, often implying separation; either separation of the soul from the body (physical death) or separation of the soul of man from God (spiritual death).

 

Meaning Explained

In order to understand the meaning of this verse we first have to ask ourselves, “Who does “us” refer to?” If “us” refers to everyone, then this verse could be taken to mean one thing, but if “us” refers to Christians, then it means something entirely different. So, let’s look at the context. Reading from the first verse of this chapter through verse 10, it is abundantly clear that Paul is talking to members of the church. Hence, the “us” is referring to those who have put their trust in the saving blood of Jesus Christ and have submitted to His Lordship over their lives. In other words, he is referring to Christians, both those who were previously Jews and those who were previously Gentiles.

Now, what does he say about us Christians? He says that not one of us lives to himself. Some interpreters would have us believe that Paul is teaching that Christians are to live primarily to serve others, thus supporting a social gospel that emphasizes the need for us to take care of each other. This type of interpretation almost always accompanies a works-oriented Christianity. However, if we look at how the Apostle Paul finishes this thought (in the next verse), we see that the focus is not on serving others (though this is part of Paul’s teaching elsewhere), but on submitting ourselves to our Lord and Master. What Paul is specifically teaching in this verse is that no Christian is to live to gratify his own desires or appetites; instead, we should make it our goal to do the will of God, to subordinate our will to His.

Paul also says that none of us dies to himself. What he means is that even in dying we are committed to doing God’s will. We should do all we can to keep our body healthy since it is the temple of God, the Holy Spirit. You will remember that Paul told us that we are to offer ourselves to God as  living sacrifices (Romans 12:1),  placing not only the use of our lives but also the manner and time of our death in the hands of the Almighty.

 

Application

Do you see your salvation as simply a free ticket into heaven? If so, you are missing one of the primary reasons for Christ’s death on the cross. It was not done simply as a type of Christmas present, but as a purchase transaction to obtain those who would lovingly serve the desires of the Owner. Think about that!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 14:6 – God-ward Focus

Posted on by Will

He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who is eating, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who is not eating, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.

Truth to Learn

Convictions are good if properly focused.

 

Behind the Words

The word translated “observes” is from the Greek verb phroneō. This word literally means “to use the mind.” It has a number of nuance interpretations in English, such as “to have a mindset about,” “to be mentally inclined toward,” “to interest oneself in,” or “to be of an opinion about.” This is the same word that Paul used back in Romans 8:5, translated as “set their minds on,”

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

This word indicates more than simply an occasional thought about something. It implies more of a state of mind or what we would call a conviction.

“Gives thanks” is from eucharisteō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to grant as an undeserved favor or as an act of grace.” Thus, eucharisteō means “to show good favor,” that is, “to express gratitude.” From this comes the English expression “to say grace” before eating a meal. Whatever we do, whether it is eating or some other action, we should give God thanks for it.

 

Meaning Explained

Paul now makes his summary statement regarding what he has said in the previous four verses. Whether it is regarding one day as special or abstaining from certain kinds of foods, there is no right or wrong belief. What is important is that the belief, or conviction, is focused on God, not on self. Unfortunately, our earthly flesh tends to make us believe that everyone should behave the way that we do with regard to the things that we have a strong conviction about. However, God does not give all Christians the same convictions.

Now, what Paul says is that the spiritually mature Christian who believes that Sunday is a day sacred to the Lord does so to honor God. And the spiritually mature Christian who believes that all seven days of the week are equally sacred does so to honor God. Likewise, the spiritually mature Christian who believes that certain foods should not be eaten does so because it honors God and the spiritually mature Christian who believes that all foods are given by the Lord as acceptable gives honor to God as he or she eats them. In each case what is done or not done is because of a conviction that it honors the Lord.

The crux of what Paul is saying is that the focus of all mature Christians should be on glorifying God. When we honor God in anything we necessarily lift Him up, which by the very definition means that we lower, or humble, ourselves before Him. It’s a matter of where our focus is.

 

Application

If you have been critical of another Christian for not having the same conviction that you do, then you need to refocus that conviction God-ward instead of man-ward.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 14:5 – Always In His Presence

Posted on by Will

One person judges one day above another; another judges every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.

Truth to Learn

Everything we do is in God’s presence and should be done as if He were the only one we are doing it for.

 

Behind the Words

“Fully convinced” is translated from plērophoreō, which is made up of plerēs, meaning “full” and phoreō, meaning “to fill.” So, literally, the word means “to fill full,” but it also means “to fully accomplish” or “to persuade completely.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous three verses Paul talked about the arguing that existed within the church at Rome regarding what food is permissible to eat. This arguing was based on the assumption by some that Christians have to keep the Law just as Jews have to. The current verse now takes on another of the arguments that the legalizers and the freedomizers had. This argument was over the Mosaic ordinances of the Sabbath.

According to Paul, some in the Christian church in Rome believed that a certain day was to be set aside “as unto the Lord”, that is, it was to be considered as sacred above the other six. Others in the church believed that all days were to be honored the same. Clearly, in the Jewish faith it was a requirement to “keep the Sabbath day” by not performing any work at all, rather observing it as a day of rest. However, since the resurrection of our Lord was on Sunday, others in the church argued that Sunday was to be treated like a Sabbath day and no work was to be performed on Sunday. Still others argued that all days were holy to the Lord, and since we are no longer under the demands of the Law, it was permissible to work on any day of the week.

In a church that we previously attended (not the one that argued over carpeting), I had a member severely chasten me for mowing my lawn on Sunday. He specifically pointed out that we were to refrain from work on Sunday. Whereas I’m sure that his admonition was intended to assist me in being more Christ-like in my behavior, it nonetheless bothered me that this same person would always take his family to a restaurant on Sunday, thus requiring someone else to work on Sunday in order to serve him and his family. This contradiction of word and action made his comments to me seem more hypocritical than helpful. After all, if it is wrong to work on Sunday, how can it be right to cause someone else to work for you on Sunday?

As Paul will point out in the following verses, whatever we do should be done “as unto the Lord.” We should be focused on Him and His grace no matter what we observe or don’t observe, and we should do everything as if it was done for God and God alone. Remember, we are no longer under the Law as Paul said earlier in this letter to the Christians in Rome:

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. (Romans 3:28)

 

Application

If we do everything “as unto the Lord,” we will neither be burdened with the requirements of the Law, nor will we have the freedom to sin as we please. Instead, we will behave as if He were right there with us at all times. Do you live each day as if Christ were beside you at all times? If you don’t, you should, because He is!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 14:4 – Household Rule

Posted on by Will

Who are you judging another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

Truth to Learn

Chastening other Christians is God’s responsibility, not ours.

 

Behind the Words

“Servant” is translated from the Greek word oiketēs, which is derived from oikeō, meaning “to reside or to dwell.” Oiketēs refers to someone who resides, that is, a fellow resident. It is the word that was used to describe a household servant, typically one who was paid for their labors.

The word “master” is from the Greek word kurios, which means “one who is supreme in authority” or “one’s owner.”

“Able” is from the noun dunatos (the word from which we get our English word dynamite). It refers to “power, authority, or ability.”

 

Meaning Explained

This is one of those verses that none of us wants to have explained to us because we are all guilty of what Paul is correcting here. For centuries the Jews had been the keepers of God’s revelation to man (see Romans 3:1, 2); therefore they felt like it was their duty to enlighten others regarding how they were violating God’s laws. According to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, however, within the body of Christ the Law has been abolished and Jews and Gentiles are one and the same.

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, in His flesh having done away with the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man from the two, making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. (Ephesians 2:14-16)

Regardless of our backgrounds, all Christians are of the household of our Master and we are all his servants. We have no right to judge how obedient another servant is to our Master. That is a matter which is strictly up to our Master. When we confess that Jesus is our Lord, we are saying that we accept the fact that He is our owner and the supreme authority over us, and as our supreme authority we are committed to obeying Him in whatever He asks of us.

Now, there certainly are some things that we are supposed to judge about others. We are to judge whether or not a person is genuinely saved before admitting him or her into our fellowship and we are to judge them, and lovingly confront them, if they are blatantly living in sin. As to less weighty matters of obedience to our Lord and Master, it is up to God to judge, admonish, and chasten His servant-children, not us.

 

Application

As a result of what we have learned in this verse, I have a two-part question for you. Are you judgmental regarding your brothers and sisters in Christ, and are you submitted to your Lord and committed to obeying Him completely regardless of how other members of the household are behaving? If the answer to the first part is “Yes,” then the answer to the second part is most definitely “No.” If we are totally submitted to our Master, then we will be loving toward our brothers and sisters, not judgmental. That’s what our Master wants from us!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved