Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Romans 14:13

"Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother`s way, or an occasion of falling." — Romans 14:13 (ASV)

The opening statement gives the gist of what has been already said. Both parties have been guilty of passing judgment on one another. Then, by a neat use of language, Paul employs the same verb “judge” (GK 3212) in a somewhat different sense (“make up your mind”). He calls for a course of action that will not hurt fellow believers, a decision once for all to avoid whatever might impede anyone’s progress in the faith or cause another person to fall. Strong believers must not put a “stumbling block” in the way of the weak. A “stumbling block” (GK 4682) is literally something against which one may strike one’s foot, causing that person to stumble or even fall. An “obstacle” (GK 4998) presents the picture of a trap designed to ensnare a victim (cf. its use in Mt 16:23). In v.13 it could be taken as a stern warning against deliberately enticing fellow believers to do what for them would be sinful (cf. v.23). Even if such an act were motivated by the desire to get them out of the “weak” category, it would still be wrong.

Paul himself is convinced of something that the weak believer does not share, namely, that “no food is unclean in itself” (v.14; cf. also 1 Timothy 4:4). He is most likely thinking of what Jesus said in Mk 7:15–23. But not everyone has been enlightened on this issue, and those who are convinced that some foods are unclean (in terms of the Levitical food laws), for them such foods remain unclean. Until they are convinced otherwise, they would violate their conscience if they partook.

Moreover, even if the strong do not try to convince the weak to change their habits, the practices of the strong can be a stumbling block to the weak, causing distress of soul. Such distress may contain a hint of something tragic, a sorrow of heart induced by following the example of the strong, only to find their consciences ablaze with rebuke and their lives out of fellowship with the Lord. In such a situation, love is not operating.

Paul’s basis of approach to the strong has changed from granting them their position of liberty to an appeal to love, which may call for sacrifice. If such sacrifice is refused, then the strong must face the responsibility for bringing spiritual ruin on the weak. A selfish insistence on freedom may tear down and destroy, but love, when it is exercised, will invariably build up (1 Corinthians 8:1).