Text: Romans 14
What We Must Understand As We Begin:
- Controversy: Does Romans 14 allow ongoing fellowship with those in sin/error?
- We can understand this (Ephesians 3:4)
- Scripture does not contradict itself (John 10:35)
What Does This Chapter Teach & What Does It Not Teach?
- Don’t judge others’ opinions by your opinions. NOT: Don’t judge. (v. 1-6)
- God will judge all. NOT: God will accept all unconditionally. (v. 10-12)
- Nothing is unclean in itself. NOT: Anything goes, we can do as we please. (v. 14)
- Pursue the things which make for peace. NOT: Ignore sin & error in order to maintain fellowship & unity. (v. 19)
Passages Contradicted by the False View
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14-15 – withdraw from brethren living in sin who refuse to repent
- 1 Corinthians 5:9-10,13 – refrain from social contact with erring brother, except to teach (cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:15)
- Ephesians 5:11 – not to have fellowship with works of darkness; don’t ignore them, but expose them
- Romans 16:17 – mark & avoid false teachers
- 2 John 10-11 – receiving, even greeting, a false teacher amounts to participation in his evil deeds
