NGH BIBLE STUDY – ROMANS – OUTLINE #30

Outline #30: The Patience Exhorted Toward Weaker Believers – Rom 14:1-12

In our passage, Paul addresses the need for patience and mutual acceptance among believers who differ in their convictions concerning matters of personal conscience, particularly food and the observance of certain days. Those who are stronger in faith must not despise those who are weaker, while those who are weaker must not judge those who exercise greater liberty. Each believer must act with sincere conviction, seeking to honour the Lord in all things. Paul reminds his readers that Christ died and rose again to be Lord of both the living and the dead. Since every believer belongs to Him and will ultimately give account to God, we must exercise humility and restraint in our dealings with one another.

Outline of Romans 14:1-12

Rom 14:1 – The reception of the weaker

Rom 14:2-4 – The restraint of judgment

Rom 14:5-9 – The recognition of the Lord

Rom 14:10-12 – The reckoning before God

Themes to think about

● Humility in the exercise of Christian liberty

● The dual temptations of despising and judging

● Living and dying unto the Lord

● Spiritual authority & accountability before God

Questions for discussion

1. What is the practical difference between engaging in a healthy theological discussion and disputing over opinions?

2. How should we respond when another Christian reaches a different conclusion from our own concerning matters that are not clearly settled by Scripture?

3. What does it mean in daily life that none of us lives to himself and none of us dies to himself?

4. How should the prospect of standing before the Lord to give account affect the way we evaluate and treat our fellow believers?