What is the issue behind food mentioned in Romans 14?
As we read Romans 14, we see that while the central, recurring theme of this passage is judgment and the edification of the brethren, we cannot deny the fact that the issue of foods seems to be lurking in the background. So, what is Paul referencing when he addresses what seems to be causing so much contention among the brethren?
There are some who suggest that the food issue Paul is referring to deals with disagreements regarding feasts days, fasting, and even issues of asceticism among the Christian believers in Rome. But while they make some good points, the overwhelming evidence points to the central issue involving foods offered to idols. So let’s investigate!
In his article posted to the Adventist Defense League entitled “Romans 14 and the Except Factor,” Edwin Cotto suggests two main reasons why Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 are linked in providing the answers to understanding the central issues behind both chapters.
He writes: “The first link is that Paul was actually writing his letter from the city of Corinth, where the issue of foods offered to idols arose about a year before. The issue must have been fresh in his mind and seeing that something similar arose in the Roman church, he took advantage of the moment and addressed them, as well.
“The second link is that there are various linguistic connections between Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8. Both speak about the eating of foods, both speak about the spiritually weak, and both warn against placing a stumbling block in front of your brethren. Overall, both chapters share the same concern of seeking to avoid offending the consciously weaker brother. Romans 14:15, 21 and 1 Corinthians 8:12–13 speak directly against this, warning against injuring your fellow believer with your opinions and acts regarding foods. In essence, the messages are pretty much the same and 1 Corinthians 8 would then bring to light further details that could help us understand his concern back in Romans 14.”
If we look back at 1 Corinthians 8, we can definitely see the strong connection to Romans 14. Notice the context clues throughout the passage (emphasis supplied throughout):
“However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” 1 Corinthians 8:7-13
Clearly, the issue at Corinth was very similar to what the Christians in Rome were dealing with—a division of whether or not to eat certain foods. In the case of 1 Corinthians 8, it specifies that foods offered to idols was the issue causing the spiritually weak (new believers) to potentially stumble. The same words and phrases used in this chapter are found in Romans 14. Notice the reoccurring words of similarity (emphasis supplied):
“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…. 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…. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit…. 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. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 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 14:1–3, 13–17, 19–21
Paul is not saying we can eat anything we want. He’s addressing the same issue with the Roman Christians as he did with those in Corinth. It is important to note that Paul identifies himself with the “strong” (Romans 15:1). Does this mean he ate all things, disregarding the biblical counsel on clean and unclean foods? Obviously not (see 1 Corinthians 10:31). Instead, it shows us that being “strong” in the faith in no way undermines the “weaker” status of other Christians.
The reference to the “weak” eating only vegetables clearly shows there were some personal preferences among some of the less mature Christians that clearly caused some negative remarks and responses from the more mature members of the Church. Paul wasn’t condemning these less mature Christians for following their vegetable-only diet, but was actually counseling the mature members not to let their contentions become a discouragement or stumbling block for their new brothers and sisters.
Clearly, 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 (see Daniel 1:11–15). There may have been some ascetic beliefs among some of the new Christians in Rome regarding a vegetable-only diet, and Paul tells the more mature, seasoned believers to not let these dietary preferences of new believers become a subject of contention between all of them.
Notice that 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
Comparing the language of the 1 Corinthians 8 and Romans 14 shows—and clearly implies—that even within the Roman church, there may have been contentions among the brethren regarding issues of asceticism and foods offered to idols. The main point Paul emphasizes is that the more spiritually mature Christians should be patient with the less spiritually mature brethren as they grow in their walk with God. We should not allow issues of food to divide the flock.
This does not mean we should not practice and uphold the biblical counsel regarding clean and unclean foods, but ultimately, that we should not allow even clean food and diet preferences to bring discouragement and division among the brethren in the Church—especially to the new believers.