Welcome, days, and faith that does not stumble (Romans 14:1–23)

Says After the debt of love and the near day (13:8–14), Romans 14 turns to welcome, food and days, and the judgment seat. “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions” (14:1, BSB).

Says The chapter has three movements. One person has faith to eat all things, while another, who is weak, eats only vegetables; the eater must not belittle the abstainer, and the abstainer must not judge the eater, for God has accepted him (14:2–3). “One person regards a certain day above the others” (14:5, BSB), and “we will all stand before God’s judgment seat” (14:10, BSB). They must not put a stumbling block in a brother’s way. “nothing is unclean in itself” (14:14, BSB). The kingdom of God “is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (14:17, BSB). “everything that is not from faith is sin” (14:23, BSB).

Implies The appeal continues the concern for mutual love without opening a second way of standing before God. Who is weak, what the days are, and how far later sentences reach are not decided in this overview.

Uncertain Those identifications, and the reach of 14:14, 14:15, and 14:23, are left to the notes on 14:1–4, 14:5–12, and 14:13–23. No lean is taken here.