INTRODUCTION
There is little doubt that Paul’s letter to the church at Rome is considered his magnum opus ; his most prolific effort to present the doctrines of salvation, and his unique presentation for practical living in the life of the believer; especially as regards peace amongst believers in the local church. For eleven chapters, the apostle presented his amazing discourse on salvation. He then began his discourse on practical Christianity beginning in chapter 12, concluding in chapter 16. Of particular interest for this article is the apostle’s efforts to outline how believers can and should maintain unity in the body of Christ. The focus of this writing will cover chapters 13 though 15.
THE ETHICS OF UNITY
There is a heavy concentration on achieving and keeping peace amongst and between the brethren in the local church. Paul gives a summary verse in chapter 14:19 where he states, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” I might point out that the King James Version using the phrase “follow after” is somewhat weak in its translation. The English Standard Version has it this way, “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” When we pursue something, we seek after it eagerly and earnestly endeavoring to acquire it. “Following after” does not give us that same intensity that I believe the apostle is wanting the Roman believers to achieve.
What is it that we are to earnestly endeavor to acquire? The answer is “those things which make for peace.” The apostle has set out an area of ethical conduct that is referred to by the term “adiaphora.” Adiaphora are things considered morally or theologically indifferent; neither inherently good nor bad. You will notice that the apostle is focusing on believers who are “weak in the faith” and those “strong in the faith.” Notice the apostle’s teaching in chapter 14,
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 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. 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. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 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 (Romans 14:1-6).
Paul further teaches that in things adiaphora there is neither good nor bad. However, he continues in chapter 14 with the following instructions to unity:
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in the thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:20-23).
There is a freedom in areas of adiaphora . Freedom that is the possession of those “strong in the faith.” Paul emphasizes that in Romans 14:14 saying, “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”
EDIFICATION OR DESTRUCTION
In Romans 14:19-20 the apostle makes the following statement:
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Did you notice the two words Paul used; edify and destroy? To edify means to build up, instruct, improve or persuade. From edify we get the word “edifice.” Edifice is a building, especially a large imposing one. We first of all must remember that the apostle is not creating these thoughts on his own. He tells us in his letter to the churches of Galatia how he came to his understanding of all things: “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after men. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12). Consequently, Paul’s teaching on the subject of unity was revealed to him by the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you are going to build someone up or construct a large edifice, you need a solid foundation. Christ revealed that in Matthew 7:24 , “ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock .” Christ then notes in the next verse “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”
By way of illustration, many years ago, the Brunswick Primitive Baptist Church was looking for a new facility. There was a church for sale on Altama Avenue that we were directed to. As we inspected the structure, we noticed that the back portion of the church was beginning to sink, to fall off. Obviously, we were not going to purchase any church with such serious foundational problems. There is possibly a good metaphor in there for the condition of our churches today.
We have just passed through the twenty-fifth year anniversary of the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center. In comparing the subjects of edification and destruction, there is no better picture for us than to notice the destruction of the World Trade Center on that day. I say that because to build that edifice took six years, but to destroy it took one hour and fifty-eight minutes.
If we apply this to our relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we can see the importance of Paul’s teaching in Romans 14:19-20,
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
By exercising arrogance with our freedoms, we can destroy our weaker brethren in Christ. Destroy means metaphorically to demolish, overthrow, render vain, deprive of success, bring to naught. Beloved, it is much easier to destroy than to edify. Edification requires the strong in the faith to endure the weak in the faith. Paul puts it succinctly in Romans 15:1-2, saying, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.” I do not believe the apostle could be any clearer regarding our responsibilities to one another.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SCRIPTURE
In Romans 15:4-7, Paul emphasizes the importance of the Word of God. Notice what he says,
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God (Bold added).
Here Paul speaks of the things written “aforetime,” and that they were “written for our learning.” In writing to his son in the ministry, Paul writes, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The words translated “learning” and “doctrine” are translated from the same Greek word and expresses the act of teaching and what is taught. Obviously, the Scriptures are our only guide of faith and practice. The emphasis is on Scripture’s profitability for our Christian walk.
It is also important to notice that the apostle uses the terms “comfort” and “consolation.” Both words are generated from the Greek word paraklesis. Obviously, God our Father is the great Comforter (consolation). At the same time, our Lord Jesus Christ is the Comforter and the Holy Spirit is referred to as “another Comforter (paraclete)” in John 14. What is interesting here is that the Scriptures are referred to as bringing comfort in Romans 15:4. In Hebrews 4:12-13 we read the following:
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
In a very special way, the Word of God comes up alongside and comforts the believer in all aspects of his Chrisitan walk. The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that the Word of God is “quick, and powerful.” That is, it is alive and penetrating and “is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” What an amazing concept the apostle has placed before us in Romans 15.
THE GREATEST EXAMPLE
The apostle brings forward for the believer’s consideration the greatest example of all, Jesus Christ , in Romans 15:3, writing, “For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” Paul is citing Psalm 69:9, where it is written by the psalmist, “For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.” This psalm is recognized as a Messianic P salm . This section of the psalm is what is known as a Typical-Prophetic Messianic P salm. W hen the disciples saw Jesus make a scourge of small cords and drive the money changers out of the temple, they remembered “that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” (John 2:17). King David also had a zeal for God’s house , and therefore, he is a type of our Lord Jesus Christ . We read in 2 Samuel 7 that David desired to build a house for God; however , he was denied that privilege. 2 Samuel 6, records the return of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. In his excitement, David danced, and there was a great celebration over this long awaited moment in Israel’s history. Psalm 122:1 further expresses David’s zeal for God’s house when he writes, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of God.”
In Psalm 69:9b, we read, “. . . The reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.” This section of the verse is completely Prophetic Messianic in nature. David did not experience this. However, the instances of God the Father’s reproaches are many in the Old Testament. His chosen people continually deviated from worshiping Him, obeying His ordinances and accusing Him of treating them wrongfully. Christ experienced many of the same insults. He was called a winebibber, a glutton, a friend of publicans and sinners, a blasphemer and much, much more. Therefore, Christ was the fulfillment of Psalm 69’s prophecy.
The ultimate point is that Christ pleased not Himself leaving the glories of His heavenly home, and as Paul further describes it,
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:5-8).
Thus, Paul summarizes in verse 2, saying, “Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.”
CONCLUSION
There would be no need for disputations and divisions in the local church if God’s people would commit themselves to following Paul’s teachings in the subject of adiaphora; that is, things that are morally and theologically indifferent. Beyond that, we must remember that we are obligated to please our neighbor to his edification and not please ourselves. Building a believer up is far superior to destroying his Christian walk and causing him to stumble in his relationship with His Lord. Paul’s objective in giving these practical instructions is the maintenance of unity within the body of Christ!