Bible Commentaries

Him that is weak (τον ασθενουντα). See on 1 Corinthians 8:7-12; 1 Corinthians 9:22; Romans 4:19. Receive ye (προσλαμβανεσθε). Present middle imperative (indirect), "take to yourselves." Yet not to doubtful disputations (μη εις διακρισεις διαλογισμων). "Not for decisions of opinions." Note δια (between, two or δυο) in both words. Discriminations between doubts or hesitations. For διακρισις, see 1 Corinthians 12:10; Hebrews 5:14 (only N.T. examples). For διαλογισμος see Luke 2:35; Luke 24:38; Philippians 2:14. The "strong" brother is not called upon to settle all the scruples of the "weak" brother. But each takes it on himself to do it.

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One man (ος μεν). "This one," demonstrative pronoun ος with μεν. Hath faith (πιστευε). Like εχε πιστιν (Acts 14:9). But he that is weak (ο δε ασθενων). One would expect ος δε (but that one) in contrast with ος μεν. Hο is demonstrative with δε sometimes, but here is probably just the article with ασθενων. Herbs (λαχανα). From λαχανω, to dig. Hence garden herbs or vegetables. Denney feels certain that Paul has in mind a party of vegetarians in Rome.

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Set at nought (εξουθενειτω). Present active imperative of εξουθενεω, to treat as nothing and so with contempt (Luke 23:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:20). Judge (κρινετω). Present active imperative of κρινω, criticize. One side (the meat-eaters) despises the vegetarians, while the vegetarians criticize the meat-eaters. Received him (αυτον προσελαβετο). Aorist middle (indirect) of προσλαμβανω, same verb used in verse Romans 14:1. God took both sides into his fellowship without requiring that they be vegetarians or meat-eaters.

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Who art thou? (συ τις ει?). Proleptic position of συ, "thou who art thou?" The servant of another (αλλοτριον οικετην). Not another (αλλον) servant (household servant, οικετην), but "another's servant." For the adjective αλλοτριος, see Luke 16:12; 2 Corinthians 10:15. Shall be made to stand (σταθησετα). Future passive of ιστημ. In spite of your sharp criticisms of one another. Hath power (δυνατε). Verb found only in Paul (2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Corinthians 13:3; Romans 14:4), from verbal adjective δυνατος.

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One man (ος μεν), another (ος δε). Regular idiom of contrasted demonstratives (this one, that one). One day above another (ημεραν παρ' ημεραν). "Day beyond day." For this use of παρα (beside) in comparison see Romans 1:25; Luke 13:2. Be fully assured (πληροφορεισθω). Present passive imperative of πληροφορεω, late compound verb for which see on Luke 1:1; Romans 4:21. In his own mind (εν τω ιδιω νο). Intelligent and honest decision according to the light possessed by each.

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Regardeth (φρονε). "Thinks of," "esteems," "observes," "puts his mind on" (from φρην, mind). The Textus Receptus has also "he that regardeth not," but it is not genuine. Unto the Lord (κυριω). Dative case. So as to τω θεω (unto God). He eats unto the Lord, he eats not unto the Lord. Paul's principle of freedom in non-essentials is most important. The Jewish Christians still observed the Seventh day (the Sabbath). The Gentile Christians were observing the first day of the week in honour of Christ's Resurrection on that day. Paul pleads for liberty.

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To himself (εαυτω). Dative of advantage again. But to the Lord as he shows in verse Romans 14:8. Life and death focus in the Lord.

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Whether--or (εαν τε--εαν τε). "Both if--and if" (condition of third class with present subjunctive (ζωμεν--αποθνησκωμεν). Both living and dying are "to the Lord." Paul repeats the idiom (εαν τε--εαν τε) with the conclusion "we are the Lord's (του κυριου εσμεν). Predicate genitive, "we belong to the Lord."

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