Observe here, 1. The person described, whom the apostle recommends to their charity and forbearance: HIM THAT IS WEAK IN THE FAITH. Not him that is sick unto death through fundamental error, but one that is sound in the faith, though weak in judgment; men of honest hearts, but weak heads. Observe,... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle declares the ground of difference that was between them; namely, the difference of meats. One thought all meats to be lawful under the gospel; another, rather than eat any meats forbidden by the law, will eat only herbs. Where observe, How the church of God, in all ages, has been s... [ Continue Reading ]
Another reason is here produced why we should not rashly censure or judge our brother differing in judgment from us about lesser things; namely, because he is God's servant; and it is God's sentence and not ours, which he must stand or fall by. And if these differences shall not hinder God's accepta... [ Continue Reading ]
The second case, as to indifferent things, is about the observation of days. Many of the believing Jews could not be taken off from solemnizing those feasts which were of God's own founding and instituting among the Jews. Another looked upon them truly as abrogated by Christ. Now the apostle advises... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our apostle proves what he had before asserted, that Christians in their particular actions have. special regard to the Lord and his honour, because they devote themselves, living and dying, to the service of him, and his glory: NONE OF US, Christians, LIVES UNTO HIMSELF, but we spend our lives... [ Continue Reading ]
Three things are here observable: 1. That Jesus Christ, by virtue of his meritorious passion, and glorious resurrection, was constituted Lord of all things, and has power to judge all persons. TO THIS END CHRIST DIED, ROSE AGAIN, AND REVIVED, THAT HE MIGHT BE LORD BOTH OF THE DEAD AND LIVING: that i... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How the apostle advises persons to be very cautious in the use of their Christian liberty: PUT NOT. STUMBLING-BLOCK, OR AN OCCASION OF FALLING, INTO YOUR BROTHER'S WAY. Learn thence, That to use our Christian liberty when it may be an occasion of sin, by laying. stumbling-block bef... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, "The spiritual kingdom of God and Christ in the world consisteth not in these little things of meat and drink, but IN RIGHTEOUSNESS towards God and our neighbour; IN PEACE, that is, in peaceableness of disposition, in Christian love, concord, and unity; and IN JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST, that is... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT IN THESE THINGS, that is, in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, SERVETH CHRIST, IS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD. That is, this shows and evidences that he is. person accepted with God, and approved of men, of wise, charitable, and good men; yea, the natural consciences of men in gener... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse is an inference drawn from the foregoing discourse. "Seeing the kingdom of God, or our common Christianity, doth not consist either in the doing or declining of these little indifferent things, let us by no means hazard the peace of the church, or break communion with such as in their sen... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, for meat destroy not THOU the work of God. Do not THOU, for so inconsiderable. matter as eating is, endanger the Christianity of thy brother, or hazard the peace of the church, and cause any through scandal to fall off from their Christian profession. If any of you say, that all meats are c... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS NOT GOOD; that is, it is not charitable to make use of any part of our Christian liberty, when by so doing any weak Christian is offended, discouraged, and driven from his profession, and brought to any kind of sin. And if it be. Christian's obliged duty to forbear the use of indifferent thing... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle answers an objection: "Some might be ready to say, that they had faith, that is,. firm and full persuasion that it is lawful for them to eat those meats, which others judged to be sinful; and therefore it is necessary that they profess it, and own it, and assert their liberty." The... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, "He that doubteth whether he should eat or no, and yet eats, is condemned of himself, because he doth. thing when he is not satisfied of its lawfulness; for whatsoever is not done of faith, that is, with. persuasion that it is lawful, is to him that does it undoubtedly sinful." Whatever. ma... [ Continue Reading ]