Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 14:3

"Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him." — Romans 14:3 (ASV)

Let not him that eateth. That is, he who has no scruples about eating meat, etc., who is not restrained by the law of the Jews respecting the clean and unclean, or by the fact that meat may have been offered to idols.

Despise him. Hold him in contempt, as being unnecessarily scrupulous, etc. The word despise here is aptly chosen. The Gentile would be very likely to despise the Jew as being restrained by foolish scruples and mere distinctions in matters of no importance.

Him that eateth not. Him that is restrained by scruples of conscience, and that will eat only vegetables (Romans 14:2). The reference here is doubtless to the Jew.

Judge him. To judge here has the force of condemn. This word also is very aptly chosen. The Jew would not be so likely to despise the Gentile for what he did as to judge or condemn him. He would consider it too serious a matter for contempt. He would regard it as a violation of the law of God and would be likely to assume the right of judging his brother and pronouncing him guilty.

The apostle here has aptly addressed the whole issue in all disputes about rites, dress, and scruples in religious matters that are not essential. One party commonly despises the other as being needlessly and foolishly scrupulous, while the other makes it a matter of conscience—too serious for ridicule and contempt—and a matter whose neglect, in their view, deserves condemnation.

The true direction to be given in such a case is, to the one party, not to treat the scruples of the other with derision and contempt, but with tenderness and indulgence. Let him have his way in it. If he can be reasoned out of it, it is well; but to attempt to laugh him out of it is unkind and will only tend to confirm him in his views.

And to the other party it should be said that they have no right to judge or condemn another. If I cannot see that the Bible requires a particular cut to my coat, or makes it my duty to observe a particular festival, he has no right to judge me harshly or to suppose that I am to be rejected and condemned for it.

He has a right to his opinion; and while I do not despise him, he has no right to judge me.

This is the foundation of true charity. If this simple rule had been followed, how much strife and even bloodshed it would have spared in the church!

Most contentions among Christians have arisen from subjects of this nature. Though agreeing substantially on the doctrines of the Bible, they have often been divided into sects over issues about as important as those the apostle discusses in this chapter.

For God hath received him. This is the same word that is translated "receive" in Romans 14:1. It means here that God has received him kindly, acknowledged him as His own friend, or recognized him as a true Christian.

These scruples, on one side or the other, are not inconsistent with true piety. As God has acknowledged him as His, notwithstanding his opinions on these subjects, we also ought to recognize him as a Christian brother.

Other denominations, though they may differ from us on some subjects, may give evidence that they are recognized by God as His. Where this evidence exists, we should neither despise nor judge them.