Romans 14: Balancing Liberty and Love

Last updated on: October 12, 2014 at 2:11 am by Michael F. Bird

Romans 14: Balancing Liberty and Love 2014-10-12T02:11:55-04:00 Michael F. Bird

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’ve just finished writing up some comments and application on Romans 14 for a forthcoming commentary in the SGBC series. If I had to some up the exhortation that Paul makes, I’d put it as follows:

– Learn to differentiate between areas of conviction and areas of command.
– Don’t major on minor doctrines.
– Withhold judgment where the gospel is not threatened.
– Exercise your convictions to build-up others up, not to tear them down.
– Do not exchange freedom in Christ for slavery to human tradition.
– In all times act in love and carry each other’s burdens.

In Rom 14:1-15:6, we could say that Paul is bent on stressing that Jesus is Lord of the weak (e.g., teetotaling Sabbatarian vegan Jews) and the strong (e.g., wine sipping Saturday-shopping bacon munching Gentiles). If God has justified them, then they cannot condemn each other. If God has raised them up, then they cannot put each other down. If they all belong to the Lord and then they all belong to each other. If everyone calls him “Lord,” then they must call each other “brothers and sisters.” If God has accepted them, then they must accept each other. If they share the same faith, then they share food together. As N.T. Wright puts it, “justification by faith” entails “fellowship by faith.” This is what justification by faith looks like when it sits down at the table of Christian community.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

October 10, 2014

Jobs in NT Studies

Next Post

October 13, 2014 Ben Witherington on "Jesus is Lord, Caesar is Not"

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Bible Lands Blogosphere Book Review Calvinism Colleges & Universities Ecclesiology Emerging Adulthood Evangelicalism Foreign Affairs Gospel of John Greco-Roman World Humor Just War N. T. Wright Old Testament Resurrection Terrorism Theological Education Travel Uncategorized Writing

Select a Month September 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 January 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the Bible say about rest?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Only rest when you're old God rested on the seventh day Avoid rest Rest is evil

Books by This Author Books by Mike Bird

See All Titles »