Are You the Strong or the Weak AND also Godly?

Working on a small project this week, I had occasion once again to revisit Romans 14:1-12 where Paul discusses the strong and the weak Christian. As I read this text, I was once again struck by three thoughts: First, sometimes it is incredibly difficult to personally know whether or not you are the strong or the weak; Second, regardless if you are the strong or the weak, it is easy to act ungodly toward the other; and Third, strong and weak categories in the church change according to tradition or region, In this article, each of these observations will be discussed with the titled question, Are you the strong or the weak AND also godly?

Are you the Strong or the Weak?

Sometimes it is incredibly difficult to personally know whether or not you are the strong or the weak. In the Apostle Paul’s treatment of the strong and the weak in Romans 14:1-12, he provides us an understanding of the two through two different illustrations.

Illustration One: Food or Diet (Rom 14:2-4)

Related to food, the weak chose to follow Jewish dietary laws and only eat vegetables, because they were unsure of the way they were prepared and served. The strong, instead, would eat anything since they understood this was no longer a theological expectation. Thus, in this first illustration, the weak experienced greater pangs of conscience toward freedom when in light of eating or dietary laws. The strong understood that the Old Testament law on dieting no longer applied to what one eats.

Illustration Two: Holy Days or Special Calendar Days (Rom 14:5-6)

Related to special calendar days, the weak and strong choose to observe days differently. A special calendar day would include the Sabbath. The weak observe special days; the strong considers every day the same.

Are you the strong or the weak?

In this text, the weak has a narrower view of freedom in Christ in both instances. The weak believes it best honors God to limit what is eaten and to observe special calendar days. On the other hand, the strong live with a greater sense of freedom in Christ (cf., Rom 15:1, where Paul considers himself to be part of the strong). As taught in this text then, the weak have a narrower view of what is possible in Christ; whereas, the strong have a broader view of what is possible in Christ.

What about you? Which one are you – the weak or the strong? I have two theories as to why it is hard to determine in which category you fit. Generally, no one wants to be weak. We are taught in every culture to be strong. Additionally, because the weak often judge the strong as sinners, it is counterintuitive to believe that the weak here limits where the strong expands freedoms in Christ. In other words, it seems only fitting that the one who understands the higher order of how to please God in one’s actions through limiting freedom should be the stronger person. The immature in the faith who have not grown to maturity, since they fail to recognize the extent and gravity of holiness, must be the weak in faith. However, Paul teaches the opposite here.

Are you godly?

Regardless if you are the strong or the weak, it is easy to act ungodly toward the other. Whether you are the weak or the strong, sin happens fast when considering the other person. The Apostle Paul deals with the tendency to sin. Let’s consider both examples again and then what Paul teaches to both the weak and the strong.

Illustration One: Food or Diet (Rom 14:2-4)

Recall, in this first illustration, the weak experienced greater pangs of conscience toward freedom when in light of eating or dietary laws. The strong understood that the Old Testament law on dieting no longer applied to what one eats. As a result, the weak judged the strong and the strong condemned the weak. The weak assumed the strong were immature in the faith and broke God’s demands of holiness. The strong despised the limitations demanded by the weak. The Apostle Paul explained, however, since God has welcomed the strong, how can a weak person pass judgment on that person, especially if God, their master, has already accepted them?

In other words, the weak were not to judge the strong. The strong were not to condemn or disdain the weak.

Illustration Two: Holy Days or Special Calendar Days (Rom 14:5-6)

Recall, in the second illustration, the weak observe special days as holy; the strong considers every day the same. Paul’s exhortation here is the same. Similar to eating, what matters is the individual’s attitude toward God. Whichever way one views the issue as the weak or the strong, that person must do what he or she believes honors the Lord: observe the day or not as unto the Lord; eat the food or not as unto the Lord.

Reasons Why We Should Respond in Godliness toward Each Other (Rom 14:7-12)

Why should the weak not judge the strong or the strong not condemn the weak? Because of the lordship of Jesus Christ (vv. 7-9), both the weak and the strong are responsible to God for what they do. They both must do everything in life and death as unto Christ since Jesus is the Lord of the living and the dead. Paul writes, “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living” (Rom 14:8-9).

Paul continues by explaining the second reason we should respond godly toward each other. Because God is the judge both now and in the future (vv. 10-12), why would we judge or condemn another? Everyone will have to stand before the judgment seat of God individually. Who are we to take God’s place and judge another person? Each one will have to give a personal account for how he or she has lived. Therefore, do not judge and do not condemn. Why? Simply because you need to worry about you alone. You will stand before God someday and will answer only for what you did.

Godliness means that we live with a desire to love the other person and do what is best for him or her.

At the end of the day, we should avoid attitudes of judgment or condemnation toward other brothers and sisters in Christ while seeking ways to practically grow in fellowship with each other. Paul began verse one with the command to “welcome” the other brother. He concludes this section in Romans 15 as well encouraging all believers to be like-minded toward one another according to Jesus, be of one mind and mouth glorifying God, and receive one another just as Christ received us to the glory of God (Rom 15:5-7). To use another common metaphor of Paul: Put off judging and condemning; Put on welcoming into fellowship, receiving each other as Christ, and striving to glorify God together.

But what about… Music, Movies, Alcohol, Dress, Dancing, and Bible Versions? Plus many more…

My third observation is: strong and weak categories in the church change according to tradition or region. Depending upon what region of the country or world that you live in and your denominational affiliation (or group within the denomination), the categories important to the strong and the weak tend to change. Let me give you some specific examples.

• In the southeast, often mixed swimming is considered wrong, but hay rides are accepted as good, pure fun. In the southwest, mixed swimming is normal, but hay rides are considered bad.
• In some churches, tobacco use and drinking alcohol are accepted. However, in other churches, both tobacco or alcohol use are taught as wrong. Some churches accept one and forbid the other.
• In some congregations, timpani or kettledrums are highly appreciated, to the exclusion of other types. On the other hand, some churches have full trap sets. The congregations with timpani drums sometimes condemn those with trap sets and drum cages.

The example list could go on and on.

Please do not miss this. The specific issue or focus is not what is important; instead, your heart attitude and actions toward the other Christian with whom you disagree are.

Do you condemn? For the glory of God, knock it off. Quit.

Do you judge? For the glory of God, knock it off. Stop it.

Instead, for the glory of God, live according to your conscience before God while welcoming the other person as a Christian brother or sister in Christ. Do what you believe best honors the Lord. You are accountable for what the Bible teaches and your personal effort to live for the glory of God. These issues take great prayer and wisdom as we seek to live for Jesus Christ. Yet, at the same time, you cannot look at other Christians in a non-God-glorifying way, either.

Further, when with others who would have a strong disagreement with you, limit your own freedom out of concern for the other person’s faith (cf., Rom 15:1-2). Be sensitive toward those around you. Seek to do what is best for the other person in their particular situation.

And, boy is this hard. May God help us.

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