What is the meaning of Romans 14:3? The one who eats everything “The one who eats everything” pictures the believer whose conscience is free to enjoy all foods. Paul calls such a person “strong” in Romans 15:1. Acts 10:15 reminds us, “What God has made clean, you must not call impure,” and 1 Timothy 4:4 affirms, “Everything God created is good.” The liberty to eat is a gift, but it is never license to look down on others. Caution: must not belittle the one who does not Belittling translates into silent scorn or open ridicule. Paul warns, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). When “strong” believers flaunt freedom they wound the “weak” (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). Love chooses discretion—sometimes foregoing a perfectly lawful meal for the sake of unity (Romans 14:15; 1 Corinthians 10:23-24). The one who does not eat everything Here is the conscientious brother or sister who, like Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 1:8), restricts diet out of devotion. Paul says such a person “eats only vegetables” (Romans 14:2) because his faith has not yet grasped full freedom. Colossians 2:16 echoes, “Let no one judge you … with regard to food.” Caution: must not judge the one who does “Judge” means to pronounce guilty. Jesus’ words still stand: “Do not judge, or you will be judged” (Matthew 7:1-2). The weaker conscience must resist labeling freedom as sin. Colossians 2:20-22 warns against imposing man-made rules. Both parties answer to “their own Master” (Romans 14:4). For God has accepted him Acceptance is God’s settled verdict through Christ (Romans 8:33-34). Whether abstainer or eater, each stands “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). Therefore, Romans 15:7 urges, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you.” summary Romans 14:3 calls every believer—liberated or scrupulous—to honor fellow Christians. The strong must forsake contempt; the weak must drop condemnation. Since God welcomes both, we refuse to divide over secondary matters and instead pursue love that preserves the unity of Christ’s body. |
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