A Stumbling Block or a Stepping Stone?

Something “easy”—the eating of Jewish dietary laws—was bringing down the Roman brethren.

The Roman church was greatly mixed between Jew & Gentile.

The Roman church was greatly mixed between Jew & Gentile. “Visitors from Rome” were present at Pentecost (Acts 2:10).

The Roman church was greatly mixed between Jew & Gentile. “Visitors from Rome” were present at Pentecost (Acts 2:10). It seems that they went back & established the Roman church.

The Roman church was greatly mixed between Jew & Gentile. “Visitors from Rome” were present at Pentecost (Acts 2:10). It seems that they went back & established the Roman church. Then, the Emperor “Claudius . . . commanded all the Jews to leave

Rome” (Acts 18:2, ESV).


Rome” (Acts 18:2, ESV). When Claudius died on October 13, AD 54, his edict became null &

void.


Rome” (Acts 18:2, ESV). When Claudius died on October 13, AD 54, his edict became null &

void. The Jewish Christians returned & found a Gentile church.

Cultural wars erupted!

Cultural wars erupted! “One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak

person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him” (vv 2-3, ESV).

Cultural wars erupted! vv 2-3. “One person esteems one day as better than another, while

another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God” (vv 5-6, ESV).

In the midst of those cultural wars, Paul asks the Romans if they will be stumbling blocks or stepping stones.

In the midst of those cultural wars, Paul asks the Romans if they will be stumbling blocks or stepping stones. Being a stumbling block is so easy.

In the midst of those cultural wars, Paul asks the Romans if they will be stumbling blocks or stepping stones. Being a stumbling block is so easy—Simply look out for my

own interest.


own interest.


own interest. Being a stepping stone is much more difficult.

We become stepping stones through edification.

We become stepping stones through edification. “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual

upbuilding” (v 19, ESV).


upbuilding” (v 19, ESV). “Upbuilding” is a better translation than “edification.”


upbuilding” (v 19, ESV). “Upbuilding” is a better translation than “edification.” The Greek term refers to the act of constructing a structure.



Occasionally, the term refers to the finished product—a building.



Occasionally, the term refers to the finished product—a building. “Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to

point out to him the buildings of the temple” (Mt 24:1, ESV).

As a building arises from the ground, I help my brethren grow closer to God.

v 13

“Skipping Stones” are those we use to keep from judging our brethren.

“Skipping Stones” are those we use to keep from judging our brethren.

“Let us not pass judgment on one another any longer” (v 13, ESV).

The Roman Christians were greatly judgmental.

The Roman Christians were greatly judgmental. Throughout Romans 14, Paul tells the Roman Christians not

to judge one another.


to judge one another. “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you

despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us will give an account of himself to God” (10-12, ESV).


to judge one another. “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you

despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us will give an account of himself to God” (10-12, ESV).

Since everyone will stand before God for judgment, why do I need to be judging others?

We cannot be a judgmental people.

We cannot be a judgmental people. “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Mt 7:1, ESV).

We cannot be a judgmental people. “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Mt 7:1, ESV). “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save

and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” (Js 4:12, ESV).

Judging others leads to division, not edification.

Judging others leads to division, not edification. It did in Corinth.

Judging others leads to division, not edification. It did in Corinth. If you weren’t of a certain socio-economic status, you went hungry at

the Lord’s Supper.

Judging others leads to division, not edification. It did in Corinth. If you weren’t of a certain socio-economic status, you went hungry at

the Lord’s Supper. If you couldn’t speak in tongues, you weren’t a good Christian.

Judging others leads to division, not edification. It did in Corinth. The judgmental attitude in Rome seems to have led to

division.

Judging others leads to division, not edification. It did in Corinth. The judgmental attitude in Rome seems to have led to

division: “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions” (Rom 14:1, ESV).

Paul is speaking of matters of opinion.

vv 13-16

“Spurning Stones” are those we use to spurn what causes another to stumble.

“Decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil” (vv 13-16, ESV).

“Stumbling block” refers to an obstacle against which one would hit his foot & consequently fall.


Paul is encouraging the Romans never to do anything that would cause another to stumble.


Paul is encouraging the Romans never to do anything that would cause another to stumble. The Romans apparently had a major problem in encouraging

others to sin.


Paul is encouraging the Romans never to do anything that would cause another to stumble. The Romans apparently had a major problem in encouraging

others to sin. “Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God.

Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble” (vv 20-21, ESV).

Paul is firmly convinced that nothing is unclean.

Paul is firmly convinced that nothing is unclean. “I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is

unclean in itself.”

Paul is firmly convinced that nothing is unclean. “I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is

unclean in itself.” That threefold repetition of “know,” “persuaded,” & “in the

Lord Jesus” makes Paul’s statement most emphatic.

Paul is firmly convinced that nothing is unclean. There is no such thing as an “unclean” food.

Paul is firmly convinced that nothing is unclean. There is no such thing as an “unclean” food: “Everything

created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Tm 4:4, ESV).

The strong were using this knowledge in a way that destroyed the faith of others.

The strong were using this knowledge in a way that destroyed the faith of others. “If your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer

walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died” (v 15, ESV).

The strong were using this knowledge in a way that destroyed the faith of others. “If your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer

walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died” (v 15, ESV).

“Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats” (v 20, ESV).

The strong needed to “spurn” certain foods.

The strong needed to “spurn” certain foods. “It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that

causes your brother to stumble” (v 21, ESV).

The strong needed to “spurn” certain foods. “It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that

causes your brother to stumble” (v 21, ESV). “If food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest

I make my brother stumble” (1 Cor 8:13, ESV).

We live in an age where any liberty is a “right.”

We live in an age where any liberty is a “right.” Obviously such an attitude leads to destruction, not

edification.


edification. “Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God” (v 20,

ESV).


edification. “Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God” (v 20,

ESV). How do we apply this principle when we don’t fight over food?

We must always be aware that Jesus gave up so much to come to this earth.

We must always be aware that Jesus gave up so much to come to this earth. “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he

was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9, ESV).

We must always be aware that Jesus gave up so much to come to this earth. “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he

was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9, ESV).

If Jesus gave up his glory to save me from hell, can’t I give up some “rights” to keep a brother from stumbling?

v 17

“Spotlighting Stones” are the stones we use to focus on what really matters.

“Spotlighting Stones” are the stones we use to focus on what really matters.

“The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (v 17, ESV).

Many in Rome were focusing on things that didn’t really matter.


Throughout Christian history, many have focused on things that don’t matter.


Throughout Christian history, many have focused on things that don’t matter. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe

mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!” (Mt 23:23-24, ESV).


Throughout Christian history, many have focused on things that don’t matter. Mt 23:23-24. Those in Corinth were more than happy to argue over who

had the greatest spiritual gift.

Love is the essence of our faith.

Love is the essence of our faith. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with

all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22:37-39, ESV).

Love is the essence of our faith. Mt 22:37-39. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one

another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:34-35, ESV).

Love is the essence of our faith. Mt 22:37-39. Jn 13:34-35. “The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You

shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself ’” (Rom 13:9, ESV).

Some have wrongly defined love!

Proper love fulfills every command God has given.

Proper love fulfills every command God has given. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15,

ESV).

Art & Photos

A Stumbling Block or a Stepping Stone?