_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 14:1. HIM THAT IS WEAK IN THE FAITH.—Defective in the faith, in the general doctrine, and thus an observer of externals. Alford and De Wette refer to the weak in faith as one who wants broad and independent principles, and is in consequent bondage to prejudices. διαλογισμοί,... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 14:5.—Here the seventh day, Sabbath, is included, but not the Christian Sunday, which was of apostolic authority, and has plainly divine sanction, and is a continuation of the Adamic Sabbath. Let every man be fully persuaded, act with full persuasion, that what he does is rig... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 14:7.—We are not to follow our own pleasure, nor obey our own inclinations. In life and death we, Christians, are the Lord’s. Romans 14:8.—Christians are Christ’s property, and they must live, not to themselves, but to one another. Romans 14:9.—Christ having died and risen... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 14:10.—Being accountable to Christ, we cannot be accountable in the highest sense to any other. Romans 14:11.—The phrase indicates the act of those who shall worship and acknowledge God. The knee may bend and the heart not engaged. Let us praise the Lord’s mercy and justice... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 14:16. LET NOT YOUR GOOD BE EVIL SPOKEN OF.—Let not Christian liberty be abused by offence given to the weak. Romans 14:17. THE KINGDOM OF GOD.—What commends us to God is not the outward but the inward, only the outward must be in conformity with the inward. Peace, in oppos... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 14:20.—The work of God is the faith of a fellow-Christian. Romans 14:21.—Three forms of spiritual damage, corresponding with the three blessings in Romans 14:17, which are prejudiced by them. Romans 14:22.—κρίνω, to judge, question, doubt, condemn; and δοκιμάζω, to approve... [ Continue Reading ]