Some Key Words (12/26/00)

Accept (proslambano [4355]):

to take to oneself, to take in addition, to take as one's companion, to take in order to lead aside, to receive into one's home for kindness, to grant one access to one's heart, befriend; to use food, to admit to friendship or hospitality

Faith (pistis [4102]):

being persuaded, belief, knowledge of, assent to, and confidence in divine truth leading to good works, knowledge of the truth not leading to works - false faith, faith accompanied by miraculous powers, fidelity; conviction of the truth of anything, belief regarding man's relationship to God - including trust and holy fervor, the conviction that God is creator and ruler of all things, and bestower of eternal salvation, belief that Jesus is the Messiah, and the means of eternal salvation, belief with trust in God or Christ, the character of one who can be relied on; credence, moral conviction of religious truth, or of God's truthfulness, reliance upon Christ for salvation, constancy of profession of belief

Passing judgment (diakrisis [1253]):

discerning, distinguishing, dispute, controversy; a judging; judicial estimation

Opinions (dialogismos [1261]):

objectionable thoughts and directions, reasoning, rationalization, doubtful reasoning, dispute; inward reasoning, purpose, a questioning about what is true, hesitation, doubting, arguing; consideration, debate

Regard with contempt (exoutheneo [1848]):

to despise utterly, make of no account; to make utterly nothing of

Servant (oiketes [3610]):

a domestic servant, of the family but not born in the household; one who lives in the same house as another and is under the authority of the same householder; a fellow resident, a menial domestic

Master (kurios [2962]):

lord, one wielding authority for good; he to whom a person or thing belongs, the one with the power of deciding, the possessor and disposer of a thing, the owner, the sovereign, prince, chief, a title of honor by which the servant addresses his master, a title of God; supreme in authority, controller, Mr.

Stands (steko [4739]):

to stand firm, persevere, persist; to be stationary

Falls (pipto [4098]):

to fall down - as a house or walls, to perish or be destroyed, to fall into sin and disfavor with God, to fall in judgment, be condemned and punished; to descend from a higher to a lower place, to be thrust down, to fall under judgment, to prostrate, to be overcome by terror, astonishment, or grief, to perish or be lost, to fall into ruin, to fall from a state of uprightness, to come to an end, disappear, cease, to lose authority, to be removed from power by death, to fail to participate in;

Stand (histemi [2476]):

to set, place, remain, abide, continue, to cause to stand, establish, confirm, to appoint, agree, covenant; to bid to stand by, to make firm, fix, establish, to cause a person to keep his place, to uphold or sustain the authority or force of a thing, to stand immovable, to stand firm, to stand unharmed or prepared, to be of steadfast mind, not to waiver or hesitate

Fully convinced (plerophoreo [4135]):

to carry full, to fulfill, thoroughly accomplish, to be fulfilled, to be established, brought to an end, and completed, reaching its goal, fully proved, confirmed with fullest evidence, fully persuaded; to make full, to cause to be shown to the full, to fulfill the ministry in every part, to carry through to the end, to fill one with conviction or inclination, to make one certain, convince, to be fully assured, to render bent on; to carry out fully in evidence, to completely assure or convince, to entirely accomplish

Observes (phroneo [5426]):

to think in conjunction with affections, will and moral considerations, the actions of the will and affections, to set the affections on, to be of opinion; to have understanding, be wise, to feel or think, to think of oneself modestly, to judge, to be agreed, cherish the same views, to seek, strive for, to seek one's interest, to side with; to entertain an opinion, to be mentally disposed in a certain direction, to interest oneself in with concern and obedience

Lives (zao [2198]):

to live, to have life naturally, spiritually, or eternally, vivifying; to be among the living, to enjoy real life, to have true life worthy of the name, to be active, blessed, and endless in God's kingdom, a manner of living, and acting, living water, to be full of vigor, fresh, strong, active, powerful;

Dies (apothnesko [599]):

to die away, natural death, dead to sin, dead to the law; to perish by means of something;

Judgement seat (bema [968]):

a step, a foot-breadth, a raised place mounted by steps, a platform, a tribune, the official seat of a judge, the judgment seat of Christ; a rostrum

Account (logos [3056]):

intelligence expressed in words; a word embodying a concept, what has been said, a word, a decree, a moral precept, a prophecy, declaration, aphorism, maxim, the act of speaking, speech, instruction, doctrine, teaching, anything reported in speech, narration, a matter in dispute, a suit at law, an event or deed, an answer or explanation with reference to judgment, reason, cause, ground; something said or thought, a topic of discourse, reasoning

 

Paraphrase: (12/26/00)

1 Accept the weak in faith without judging them. 2 Some eat anything, others are weaker and eat only vegetables. 3 Neither is in a position to judge the other, for God has accepted them both. 4 You are not in position to judge another's servant, his master will decide whether the servant stands faithful or fails; and he will stand faithful, for the Lord can enable him to do so. 5 Some consider certain days special, whereas others consider all days the same. Each ought to be fully convinced of their viewpoint. 6 One who sets aside special days, does so for the Lord. One who eats, does so for the Lord to whom he gives thanks. One who abstains from eating, abstains for the Lord to whom he also gives thanks. 7 For neither our lives nor our deaths are our own; 8 if we live, it is for the Lord, if we die, it is for the Lord. Either way, we are His. 9 That's why He died and rose again, to become Lord of the dead as well as the living. 10 So why do you judge your brother, or hold him in contempt? All of us will have our judgment before God. 11 After all, God's word says that every knee shall bow to Him, and every tongue give Him praises. 12 Yes, every one of us shall have to give account to God for our own actions.

Key Verse: (12/26/00)

14:8 - Every moment of our life, and the moment of our death as well, belong to God.

People Mentioned: (12/26/00)

N/A

Some Parallel Verses (12/27/00)

14:1

Ac 28:2 - The natives of Malta treated Paul and his companions with kindness. Ro 11:15 - The acceptance by God of the Jews will be like life from the dead. Ro 15:7 - We are to accept each other as Christ accepted us into God's glory. Ro 15:1 - Ours is to bear the weak one, rather than seeking only our own pleasure. 1Co 8:9 - And we must be careful that our liberty not cause a weaker brother to fail. 1Co 9:22 - If it might serve to save them, we ought to be willing to share in another's weak behaviors.

14:2

Ro 15:1 - The strong in faith ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak in faith, 1Co 8:9 - out of concern for our liberty becoming a problem for the faith of our weaker brothers, 1Co 9:22 - shaping our freedom to their limitations, so that by our actions we may save them.

14:3

Lk 18:9 - Jesus spoke out against those who trusted in themselves and considered all others with contempt. Col 2:16 - We are not to allow others to judge our actions when it comes to eating, drinking, festivals, and Sabbaths. Ac 28:2 - The natives of Malta accepted Paul, although a stranger. Ro 11:15 - God's rejection of the Jews brought reconciliation to the world, their acceptance will bring life from death. Ro 15:7 - As Christ accepted us, so we must accept each other.

14:4

Ro 9:20 - Who are we to talk back to God? Jas 4:12 - Or to judge each other, when God is the only Judge?

14:5

Gal 4:10 - Some observe certain times as special. Ro 4:21 - Abraham was fully assured that God could do as He had promised.

14:6

Mt 14:19 - Jesus fed the multitudes, after giving thanks for the five loaves and two fish, Mt 15:36 - and again with the seven loaves, He gave thanks. 1Co 10:30 - There is no cause for slander, where one gives thanks for that of which he partakes. 1Ti 4:3 - Those who forbid marriage, or require abstinence from particular foods teach false and hypocritical doctrines.

14:7

Ro 8:38-39 - Neither death nor life, nor anything else can separate us from the love of God. 2Co 5:15 - Christ died that we might live not for ourselves, but rather for Him. Gal 2:20 - Crucified with Christ, I no longer live, but rather Christ lives in me, and my flesh continues by faith in Him who loves me. Php 1:20 - Whether I live or I die, let it be to the exalting of Christ.

14:8

Lk 20:38 - God is God of the living, for all live to Him. Php 1:20 - As Christ is exalted in my life and in my death, I shall not be ashamed in anything. 1Th 5:10 - Christ died for us, so that alive or physically dead, we would yet live together with Him. Rev 14:13 - Those who die in the Lord rest from their labors.

14:9

Rev 1:18 - Christ the living One was dead and is now alive forever, holding the keys of death and hell. Rev 2:8 - He is the first and last, the One who was dead and has come to life. Mt 28:18 - All authority on heaven and earth has been given to Him. Jn 12:24 - The seed is only fruitful if it dies, otherwise, it remains alone. Php 2:11 - Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. 1Th 5:10 - He died for us that we might live together with Him.

14:10

Lk 18:9 - Jesus spoke against the self-righteous who viewed others with contempt. Ro 2:16 - God will judge all of man's secrets through Christ. 2Co 5:10 - All will appear before Christ for judgment, to be rewarded as appropriate to his deeds in the flesh - for good or for ill.

14:11

Is 45:23 - The righteous word God speaks by His own oath will not be deflected. Php 2:10 - All knees shall bow to God; on, above, or below the earth.

14:12

Mt 12:36 - Even of our most careless words we will be held to account before God. Mt 16:27 - Christ will come in the Father's glory to repay each according to his deeds. 1Pe 4:5 - Sinners will give account to Him who is to judge both the living and the dead.

 

New Thoughts (12/28/00)

One thing just jumped out at me as I reviewed these parallel verses. Looking at Romans 9:20 and James 4:12 in rapid succession like that, it occurs to me that these really are quite related, and not just by the 'who are you to do this' clause. When we take it upon ourselves to pass judgment on another, we are not only attempting to usurp God's position (for He is the only true Judge), but we are also calling His own judgment into question. I am sure that every one of us has fallen guilty of this at one point or another. It's too much a part of our nature for us to escape it completely. Sadly, our judgments have a tendency towards being attempts to cover up our own inadequacies, our own failings. The Pharisees did not corner the market on superiority complexes. I've caught myself passing baseless moral judgments on another whose talents in a particular area surpass my own. What's the basis for this? Is it some superior quality in myself? Absolutely not. It's precisely the opposite. It's wounded pride displaying its sinfulness, and nothing more. It's the sinfulness of sin making itself known. Perhaps, just perhaps, this new perspective will help me to avoid this habit in the future. God, I pray it would do so. While I am willing and obliged to be honest with You, to admit my feelings, even when they don't line up particularly well with my faith and belief, I ask that You would help me to leave it at that. I pray that You would cause me to recognize immediately the rising of my pride, and to stop it in its tracks. I pray that You would keep me, oh Father, from trying to take up the role You have given to Your Son alone, for to Him only it is given to judge the earth and all that is in it.

Here is further proof that pride is a tool of the devil, for it tries to bring us into the same mistake that he made, the mistake of attempting to take over God's position. For this sin, he was thrown down from his position, but he failed to learn from it. Instead, he grew bitter and resentful, and openly declared war on heaven and on God. I wonder, had he learned from his mistake and repented would God not have had him back? For real repentance is the simple requirement He places on us for similar offenses. God, if there be any case where I have judged another, and have not brought it before You yet, I ask You forgive me for these cases as well. I pray that You would forgive me those whose weaknesses I have scoffed at, whose legalisms I have criticized rather than borne with as You require. I pray that You enable me to be weak with the weak of faith so that they may be strengthened rather than torn down.

You, oh God, are Lord over all Your creation. I declare so often that You are the Lord of my life, yet I am forced to recognize that there remain those areas that I try to hold as my own. I am thankful that You are a gentle conqueror, willing to move in peacefully to those areas I have relinquished to You, and willing to bide Your time until I am willing to submit the rest. I am deeply moved by that phrase I read in C. S. Lewis this week; "There are two kinds of men; those who say to God 'Your will be done,' and those to whom God says 'your will be done.'" Oh! Though it is a struggle every day to submit so, I long to be found in that first category, to know that You truly are Lord of all that I am! Help me also, Lord, to recognize that You are Lord of all that my wife and daughter are, that You are Lord of all that my fellow believers are, that You are Lord of all that Your Church in its many flavors is. The gifts are nothing without obedience. The lack of gifts is lacking in nothing where obedience to Your will reigns. To obey is better than sacrifice, and You have shown Yourself willing to use whatever means are available to promote Your purposes - a pagan, a donkey, a rock. Even to be used of You is no sign of holiness or righteousness. Only loving obedience can differentiate the true believer. Help me, oh my Lord, to be a humble and loving servant in Your household, ready for Your every command, and faithful to do it. I know it is not in me to be so, but by Your present Holy Spirit it might be done in me as You will.