1.

Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

Verse 1
To doubtful disputations; referring to such subjects as those discussed in the verses which follow.

2.

For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Verse 2
There was a difficulty in the minds of many Jews, in respect to eating animal food, lest they might sometimes eat the flesh of animals which had been offered in sacrifice to idols, and thus, as they supposed, be sharers in the sin of idolatry, or in other respects violate the Mosaic requirements in regard to ceremonial uncleanness. (See Romans 14:14.) This subject is treated fully in 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. There was also a disposition, manifested quite early in the history of the church, to imagine that voluntary penances and privations, and especially a rigid self-denial in the use of food, was either the mark that indicated, or the means to acquire, peculiar sanctity. Which of these two ideas is the one referred to by the apostle here has been considered uncertain. It would seem altogether probable that it was the former, for it is treated as the harmless prejudice of a weak-minded man, which the former was; while the latter is the seed and germ of the most dangerous fanaticism.--Herbs; vegetables.

3.

Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Verse 3
Despise him, &c.; regard him with contempt, as weak and narrow minded.--Judge him, &c.; condemn him as guilty of idolatry.

4.

Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

5.

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Verse 5
The days here referred to were probably the various fasts and feasts of the Jewish law.--Let every man, &c.; that is, let every one do what he thinks right, without molestation from others.

6.

He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

Verse 6
The meaning is, since each one, in regard to these outward observances, goes forward in what he deems his duty, under the influence of an honest desire to please and obey God, he ought not to be condemned.

7.

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

8.

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

Verse 8
Whether we live,--whether we die; that is, in all the circumstances and avocations of life.

9.

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

10.

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11.

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Verse 11
Every knee shall bow to me; to me only, meaning that Christians, in such cases as this, are responsible to God, and not to one another.

12.

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13.

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Verse 13
That no man put a stumbling-block, &c.; wound the feelings or the conscience of a brother.

14.

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

Verse 14
To him it is unclean; that is, he ought to act in such cases according to his own convictions of duty.

15.

But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

Verse 15
Thy meat; thy food.

16.

Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

17.

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Verse 17
Is not meat and drink. Piety does not consist in these outward and ceremonial observances.

18.

For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

Verse 18
Serveth Christ; takes such a course as he supposes will be acceptable to Christ, whatsoever it may be.

19.

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Verse 19
Edify another; encourage and aid him in his Christian progress.

20.

For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

Verse 20
All things indeed are pure; that is, there is really no moral contamination to be contracted from food.--With offence; under such circumstances as to occasion offence; that is, to distress or wound a Christian brother.

21.

It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

22.

Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

Verse 22
Hast thou faith; enlightened and confident belief on these subjects.

23.

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Verse 23
Is damned; is condemned; that is, he is in the wrong. The meaning is, that, if he does what is really innocent, when he supposes it not to be go, he incurs guilt and condemnation.