I will address one thing at a time. First let’s look at what Paul is REALLY saying.
1Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Who are the ones spoken of as being the “weak” ones? Unquestionably, it is those who choose to eat only herbs (vegetables). The vegetarians are the ones spoken of as being “weak.” Paul doesn’t mention the word “strong” here for the non-vegetarians, but it is implied. In the next chapter (Romans 15:1) Paul admonishes, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”
Clearly, in this passage those who eat only herbs are considered “weak” in the faith. But now let’s turn to a well-known story in the book of Daniel. Daniel 1:5-20:
5And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 6Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. 8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself… 11Then said Daniel to Melzar… 12Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse [vegetables] to eat, and water to drink… 18Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
Let’s ask a simple question: In the passage above, would we consider Daniel and the three Hebrew worthies “weak” in the faith? Were they weak for insisting on eating only vegetables? If we are honest with the Word, we would have to answer, No. The fact is, Daniel and his companions were standing with utmost courage against the great Babylonian conquerors. They were captives in exile. They were being offered an enormous incentive to obtain the best training and opportunities that could be afforded them. Under threat of death, they stood firm for their beliefs and refused the king’s meat and wine and instead opted for a simple vegetarian diet. “Weak” would just not be a good word to describe these faithful Hebrew exiles. So what makes the difference between them and the vegetarians spoken of by Paul in Romans? Perhaps Paul can give us a clue. Let’s turn over to the book of 1 Corinthians. Scholars estimate that this book was written about one year apart from the book of Romans.
1 Corinthians Chapter 8:
1Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 7Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
What is the issue in 1 Corinthians 8? Simply this: Certain Christians had knowledge that an idol is nothing. It has no real power. It’s just a stone or piece of wood. The old pagan practice of offering flesh food to idols before bringing it into the market place to be sold, was causing certain Christian converts to avoid eating flesh food altogether. These Christians believed they should not eat food that had been offered to idols. But Paul knew better. He realized that an idol was nothing. He really could care less if his food had been consecrated to an idol. It meant nothing to him. He was at “liberty”; strong in the faith. But for others, their religion was more restrictive in that they believed they must follow a rigorous set of rules to remain free of guilt. Being “weak,” their conscience did not allow them to eat food offered to idols. Therefore, to be on the safe side, they chose not to eat flesh foods altogether, instead opting for herbs only.
Paul’s main point in this chapter is that the strong should not be a stumblingblock to their weaker brethren by callously exercising their own “liberty.” To do so would be to “sin against Christ.” Charity (love) is better than mere knowledge, because knowledge, apart from charity, only puffs up. Summarizing his point, Paul states that if necessary he will not eat “flesh” food so as not to offend his brother. [Please note that the word, “meat” means food in a general sense, while the word, “flesh” means animal flesh food.]
The parallels between this passage and Romans 14 are unmistakable. The issue is not one of dietary concern or of clean versus unclean meats in dietary sense; the issue is that of food being offered to idols and how fellow Christians should relate to each other in that regard.
