What does Romans 14:2 mean by “he who is weak eats only vegetables?”
Let’s first read this verse within the context of the surrounding verses:
“Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:1–4
Many will read these verses and think that Paul is calling vegetarians weak. However, this passage has nothing to do with diet preferences. The actual context and central issue Paul is addressing in this entire chapter is judgment of one another or becoming a stumbling block to the brethren. Notice the reoccurring theme (emphasis supplied throughout):
“Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.” Romans 14:1
“Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats.” Romans 14:3
“Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls.” Romans 14:4
“But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Romans 14:10
“So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” Romans 14:12–13
“…Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.” Romans 14:15
“Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food….” Romans 14:19–20
“It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.” Romans 14:21
While the central and recurring theme of these passages is judgment and edification of the brethren, one cannot deny the fact that the issue of foods seems to be lurking in the background. In Romans 14:2, Paul clearly says that those who only eat vegetables are “weak.” What does he mean by this?
The key is found in the previous verse. Paul says “receive one who is weak in the faith” (Romans 14:1). The individuals Paul refers to as “weak” are “in the faith.” They are still followers of Christ and in good standing with the Church. So the phrase, “weak in the faith,” does not necessarily mean they are lesser Christians, or in some lower Christian class. It simply means they are not as mature in their faith as one who is “strong.” This comparison between the “strong” and the “weak” is seen in the opening verses of Romans 14:
The Strong/The Weak
Vs. 2 “eat all things” Vs. 2 “eats only vegetables”
Vs. 5 “every day alike” Vs. 5 “esteems one day above another”
Vs. 6 “does not observe the day, to the Lord” Vs. 6 “observes the day…to the Lord”
It is important to note that Paul identifies himself with the “strong” (Romans 15:1). So, does this mean that he literally ate all things and disregarded the biblical counsel on clean and unclean foods? Obviously not (see 1 Corinthians 10:31).
Does it mean that Paul never observed one day above another and disregarded the sanctity of the Sabbath? Again, obviously not. There are many examples where Paul kept the Sabbath and clearly esteemed this holy day above the others (see Acts 13:14; 16:13; 17:1–4; 18:1–4). And obviously, he observed the Sabbath day to the Lord. This shows us that being strong in the faith in no way undermines the weaker status of the other Christians. The reference to the weak eating only vegetables clearly shows there were some personal preferences among the less mature Christians that clearly were causing some negative remarks and responses from the more mature brethren in the Church.
Paul was not condemning these less-mature Christians for following their vegetable-only diet, but counseled the mature brethren, instead, to not let their contentions become a discouragement or a stumbling block for the new brothers and sisters in the group.
Eating only vegetables does not make a Christian weak in the faith; otherwise, Daniel the Prophet and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah would have to be considered weak believers (Daniel 1:11–15). But clearly, there may have been some ascetic beliefs among some of the new Christians in Rome regarding a vegetable-only diet. Paul is telling the more mature, seasoned believers to not let these dietary and “observance day” preferences by new believers to become a subject of contention between all of them. Notice Paul clarifies all of this in the opening verses of Romans 15:
“We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.’ For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:1–6
In conclusion, Paul is not calling vegetarians “weak.” He is simply addressing some differences between the spiritually mature and the newer believers of his day. In following his counsel, we must exercise patience with new believers in our church. This is not to say that we should allow anything into the church, but to not make minor issues subjects of contention and disagreement to the point that we discourage the new believers and ultimately become stumbling blocks to them. We should be patient with all God’s people, encouraging them to grow in the faith and in Christ Jesus—even as we continue to grow, ourselves.