Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Romans 14:19

"So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another." — Romans 14:19 (ASV)

The entire church is urged to pursue “peace” (harmony between the two groups; GK 1645), which alone can provide the atmosphere in which “mutual edification [GK 3869]” can take place (cf. the importance of edification in 1 Corinthians 14:5, 12, 26). Mutual edification implies that the strong, despite their tendency to look down on the weak, may actually learn something from them. Perhaps they will come to appreciate loyalty to a tender conscience and begin to search their own hearts to discover that they have cared more about maintaining their position than about loving the weaker Christians. Through the fresh manifestation of love by the strong, the weak will be lifted in spirit and renewed in faith and life.

Paul then reinforces his point about edification by warning of the reverse process (v.20). To “destroy” (GK 2907) the work of God is to tear it down, making it impossible for the church to function as the instrument of God’s purpose. It is disheartening to realize that such colossal loss could be occasioned by a difference of opinion over food! Although all food can properly be regarded as clean and proper to eat, the wrong lies in causing someone to stumble by one’s eating.

The “better” or more noble course is to do without meat under such circumstances and to refrain from drinking wine, if that would be a stumbling block to anyone. For the first time in the discussion wine is mentioned, suggesting that a measure of asceticism may be in view here.