Romans 14:20-21, Not Stumbling But Building Up

Romans 14:20-21 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

The Apostle Paul is urging the believers to refrain from judging one another over inconsequential matters threatening to disrupt the harmony of the body of believers in the local church in Rome. Why does he have to repeat time and again throughout this chapter the same point? Why is he so longwinded? I believe this is a pertinent principle for the believers’ to learn for blessed church life.

What are those things that stumbles and offends another? Boice commented how Donald Grey Barnhouse who asked a missionary who replied, “An unforgiving spirit. Self-seeking. A legalistic spirit. Playing God to others. Hypocrisy. Failing to appreciate others’ gifts. Failing to make allowances for one another (Eph. 4:2; James 2:12-13). Lack of patience. Not sympathizing with others’ infirmities or, perhaps, their lack of gifts that we possess. Evil speaking (James 4:11; Titus 3:2). Assuming, without grounds, that others are at fault (James 5:9). Pulling one another to pieces (James 4:11-12, Phillips). Suspecting the motives of another. A domineering spirit. A rebellious spirit. Snobbery (James 2:1, Philipps). Hatred. Grumbling, arguing, murmuring. Maliciousness. Being a busybody. Greediness. Bitterness. Resentment. A sense of inferiority (i.e., not resting in the Lord, not satisfied with the gifts he has given.) Lack of security. Instability. Timidity. Spite. Laziness. Economic sponging. Lying and slander. Malice. Jealousy. Thinking too highly of oneself. A critical spirit towards others. Carrying on a controversy. Being ill-informed about the position of another.”

What are those that builds up? This is the other list, “Willingness to be in subjection one to another. Considering others better than oneself. An understanding spirit. A sense of intimate relationship to Christ. Not insisting on our rights. Willingness to confess a wrong spirit. Sincerity. A generous spirit. A sympathetic spirit. Trusting others. Having faith in Christ, not necessarily in others, but expressed as trust to others, knowing that we belong to Him. Joyfulness. Prayer. Discretion. A critical spirit toward oneself. A gentle and quiet spirit (2 Tim. 2:25). Humility (1 Peter 5:5). Using our gifts for one another. Remembering our own mistakes (James 3:2). Christ-centeredness. Love in word and deed. Fair dealing. Integrity. Recognizing one’s place. A forgiving spirit. Doing things decently and in order. Conscientiousness. Faithfulness. Being responsible to perform the tasks assigned to us. Not misusing our authority over others. Being willing to follow those in authority over us.”¹

May the Lord cause His church to be strengthened and built up for His glory. Amen.

¹James Montgomery Boice, Baker Books, Romans Volume 4: The New Humanity, 2000, 1793.

Donald Grey Barnhouse, God’s Glory: Exposition of Bible Doctrines, Taking the Epistle to the Romans as a Point of Departure,       vol. 10, Romans 14:13-16:27 (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1964), 21-22.