The Bounds and Applications of Romans 14

Jay Horsley

There is a great danger of misapplying scriptures to situations that the scriptures do not address. How many sinners seeking God are misdirected when people point them to the example of Simon the Sorcerer to be saved? Simon was told to repent and pray to be forgiven - but he was already a baptized believer. For the alien sinner the conditions of initial pardon are contained in the plan of salvation. Or consider the most mangled context in all the scripture, "Judge not that you be not judged." (Matt. 7:1) How many times is this misapplied to silence legitimate criticism and objections to evil? This verse deals with hypocritical judgments and attitudes that would condemn others without examination of the facts or self examination of the one judging. Or if someone came asking questions concerning a live-in lover, who we direct them to the instruction of 1 Cor. 7:5 to "stop depriving one another?" No, that's not what the context is about! We would direct them to the chapter before that says, "Flee immorality." (1 Cor. 6:18) In all these cases we recognize the need to rightly apply the scripture to the situation that the scriptures themselves address. This is called "context," and is vitally important to pay attention to it in every case.

In considering Romans 14, a passage that has been the subject of much controversy in the brotherhood in the past several years, we must carefully consider what it applies to. As Jesse Jenkins said early this year, "[I]t shows us how to solve any parallel problem within a local church, but it was not written to solve a completely different kind of problem in the local church, then or now!" The problem that Romans 14 address is spelled out in verse 1. It was disagreements over "opinions," (NASB) "doubtful disputations,” (KJV) or "doubtful things.” (NKJV) As the apostle Paul clearly points out that these things should not cause brethren to divide because "For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God." (Rom. 14:18) and "God has accepted him" (Rom. 14:3).

So what kind of things are under discussion here? It can only be brethren with their scruples that are overly narrow and restrictive on themselves, but that are not sinful. Those who wear the head covering today would be a good example. Many brethren have may have quirks, oddities, scruples, practices and convictions that ARE NOT SIN. So there is to be full fellowship - without judging, irritation, contempt or criticism – from now on. In such cases brethren are to forever receive each other because God had received them both.

Yet some try to put every problem in the world in this context. Some denomination people apply this passage to homosexuality. Some liberal brethren apply this passage to instrumental music in worship and women taking leadership roles. Some of our own brethren apply this passage to people who are unscripturally married and divorced, or those those who teach false doctrine on these matters. In all these cases fellowship is extended to teachers and practitioners of things that God has condemned.

To help clarify our minds, it might be useful to list some of the things that this passage does not apply to. 1.) Romans 14 does not apply to any differences over doctrine. It applies only to matters of liberty. Doctrinal teachings are established elsewhere in the scripture, and must be accepted by all on the basis of revelation. Now some brother might think his scruple is a doctrinal matter, but thinking it's doctrine doesn't make it so. 2.) Romans 14 does not tell us to receive a brother in order to strengthen him to stand. Romans 14 deals with those who already stand before God, so they are to be received - received forever. If Christ has rejected a person, the church is to do the same. If we know he is in sin we are to rebuke him, not receive him. 3.) Romans 14 can't be used to prove any practice right or wrong. Romans 14 is to be used to show brethren how to get along once God has shown a matter to be right.

The great problem of putting any sinful action into to context of Romans 14 is that the text is clear that God has received the person so the church is to receive the person. Therefore they are not to pass judgments over these matters anymore. None of this is true about any sin. In fact, the exact opposite is taught in every other passage of scripture that deals with these things. Whatever sin you put in Romans 14 , you will put that same sin in the church forever.

Apply Romans 14 properly and you have peace among faithful brethren. Misapply Romans 14 to sinful things and you falsely put the brethren at peace with sin.