How does one identify a brother who is "weak" (Rom 14.1; 15.1)?
A similar question was dealt with on this page some two years ago, but we are happy to give further help on it. It is evident from Romans 14 that some of the converts from Judaism entertained certain scruples. They could not see the need to finish with the private observance of such ascetic rules as eating no flesh (v.2), drinking no wine (v.21), or the keeping of certain feast days (vv.5 & 6). Paul describes them as "weak in the faith". These Jewish believers appear to have formed the minority in the assembly at Rome and were judging critically the Gentile believers who did not share their scruples (vv.3 & 10). The Gentile believers ("the strong" of 15.1) were treating their Jewish brethren with contempt because of their scruples (14.15 & 16). Paul shows that both attitudes were wrong. The passage pleads that Gentile believers should be tolerant of their Jewish brethren. Their being weak in the faith was not due to any defective hold upon the object of their faith - Christ, but rather a failure to understand what it meant for them to be free from rules of the earlier Jewish system. The Gentile believers enjoying the freedom given by Christ from human rules were to receive them and to deal with them graciously, lovingly, and patiently.
It is possible to have believers today who may be regarded as weak in the faith. It does not mean they are carnal or worldly, though they may not understand like the strong the teaching of Scripture, and by them may be regarded as immature. They may not be progressing in truth or grounded in Christian doctrine. They may have a conscience about things which others do not share and consider non-essential. It is possible today to have those in fellowship who may be slow to overcome scruples with which they were once happy in a previous religious association (Judaism in the case of the Jewish believers in Romans 14). Friction and sometimes serious troubles can arise because such believers are criticised. Paul was concerned that happy fellowship be maintained in the Roman assembly. Believers in fellowship should remember that God has received both the weak and the strong (15.7). Therefore they should receive each other for the glory of God.
John J Stubbs
In what way and when do we examine ourselves before we break bread?
In the second half (vv.17-34) of 1 Corinthians 11, Paul deals with the subject of "The Lord's Supper" and the disorders connected with its celebration by the assembly at Corinth. Verses 17-22 are concerned with things as they were at Corinth, whilst vv.23-26 set before us things as instituted by the Lord Jesus.
The closing section (vv.27-34) is concerned with a most solemn aspect of the subject, for privilege always involves responsibility. In vv.27-29 there are four references to eating and drinking, actions that are expressive of fellowship. Individual responsibility is emphasised: "whosoever" (v.27) and "himself" (vv.28 & 29). In view of the matter of responsibility, the repeated use of the title "Lord" should be noticed.
Paul speaks of the possibility of eating this bread and drinking this cup of the Lord unworthily. All believers are positionally worthy, because of acceptance in Christ before God. However, one may be conditionally unworthy because of careless behaviour. To eat and drink unworthily would be to partake whilst indulging in sin in the private life or, e.g., entertaining a spirit of bitterness against a fellow-believer; indeed it would embrace anything in the life that has broken fellowship with the Lord.
Such an individual "shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord" (v.27). To eat the bread and drink the cup unworthily, considering the emblems to be of no significance, is to dishonour the Lord and to be guilty of treating with indifference His Person.
In view of this, Paul says, "Let a man examine (i.e. prove, with a view to approving) himself" (v.28). Thus a person is to test himself as to whether or not he is in a right state of heart for partaking worthily. This exercise is not to be carried out five minutes before leaving for the meeting, but it should be a regular, consistent part of our private devotions. Sins must be confessed (1 Jn 1.9); repentance is to be manifested. A necessary counterpart to being right with God is to be right with our brethren - if need be, restitution is to be made. Such self-examination is to be carried out, not with a view to refraining from partaking of the Supper, but rather to participating: "so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup" (v.28).
David E West
