Salvation by Faith Alone: The Book of Romans

Christian Living

Lesson #13 for December 30, 2017

Scriptures: Romans 14-16.

1.    Romans 14 deals with the question of what is acceptable practice for a believing Christian. The particular question being discussed was food offered to idols. There are several very significant issues involved. Do we need to judge others in order to set them straight?

2.    Read Romans 14:1-5[1]. First of all, we need to understand that the issue was not vegetarianism. Paul was writing from Corinth. In Corinth almost all of the roads entering the city had pagan temples on them. It was expected that if one was bringing flesh food or alcohol into the city for sale, he would stop at one of those pagan temples and offer a portion of the commodity as an offering to the idol, thus dedicating all of it to that idol. The question for Christians was: “Is it acceptable to purchase food in the market and eat it if that food may have been offered to such an idol?” Furthermore, those pagan temples received much more meat and wine than the priests could consume. So, they opened up “restaurants” connected to those temples to prepare and sell some of the meat that they had received. Would it be acceptable for a Christian to eat a meal in such a restaurant? What did they think would happen if he did? Was he worshiping that idol? On one side, those who had come from pagan backgrounds believed that eating such food was in some way worshiping that idol. Others asserted that those idols were nothing more than chunks of stone, wood, or metal; and the idols could not affect the food in any way! But, that’s not all. There were also the laws of kosher that some Jewish Christians still honored.

3.    Read Acts 15:28-29.[2] The issue was made somewhat more complicated by the fact that Paul had previously attended the Jerusalem Council where it had been decided:

28The Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to put any other burden on you besides these necessary rules: 29eat no food that has been offered to idols; eat no blood; eat no animal that has been strangled; and keep yourselves from sexual immorality. You will do well if you take care not to do these things. With our best wishes.—American Bible Society. (1992). The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation* (2nd ed., Acts 15:28-29). New York: American Bible Society.

These very explicit instructions had come from church headquarters.

4.    Since Paul was in Corinth dealing with mostly Gentile believers there and writing a book to the Roman believers who were also largely Gentiles, was he free to ignore the advice given at the Jerusalem Council even though the decisions at that conference were inspired by the Holy Spirit? (See Acts 15:28.)[3] To get the full context, one must read 1 Corinthians 8&10 (especially 1 Corinthians 8; 10:23-11:1)[4]. Paul was clearly overriding the decision made by the “general conference” in Jerusalem and recognizing that the cultural situation he was dealing with required a different approach. Paul was suggesting that what matters is not so much the eating of the meat which may have been offered to an idol, but how one relates to other members in the Christian church. Is that the way we should relate to church authority? Some would call such an approach “situation ethics.” Is that ever appropriate for a Seventh-day Adventist Christian?

1 Corinthians 8:1-13: 1Now, concerning what you wrote about food offered to idols.

It is true, of course, that “all of us have knowledge”, as they say. Such knowledge, however, puffs a person up with pride; but love builds up. 2Those who think they know something really don’t know as they ought to know. 3But the person who loves God is known by him.

4 So then, about eating the food offered to idols: we know that an idol stands for something that does not really exist; we know that there is only the one God. 5Even if there are so-called “gods”, whether in heaven or on earth, and even though there are many of these “gods” and “lords”, 6yet there is for us only one God, the Father, who is the Creator of all things and for whom we live; and there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created and through whom we live.

7 But not everyone knows this truth. Some people have been so used to idols that to this day when they eat such food they still think of it as food that belongs to an idol; their conscience is weak, and they feel they are defiled by the food. 8Food, however, will not improve our relations with God; we shall not lose anything if we do not eat, nor shall we gain anything if we do eat.

9 Be careful, however, not to let your freedom of action make those who are weak in the faith fall into sin. 10Suppose a person whose conscience is weak in this matter sees you, who have so-called “knowledge”, eating in the temple of an idol; will not this encourage him to eat food offered to idols? 11And so this weak person, your brother for whom Christ died, will perish because of your “knowledge”! 12And in this way you will be sinning against Christ by sinning against your Christian brothers and sisters and wounding their weak conscience. 13So then, if food makes my brother or sister sin, I will never eat meat again, so as not to make my brother or sister fall into sin.—Ibid.* 1 Corinthians 8:1-13.

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1: 23 “We are allowed to do anything,” so they say. That is true, but not everything is good. “We are allowed to do anything”-but not everything is helpful. 24None of you should be looking to your own interests, but to the interests of others.

25 You are free to eat anything sold in the meat market, without asking any questions because of your conscience. 26For, as the scripture says, “The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.”

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you decide to go, eat what is set before you, without asking any questions because of your conscience. 28But if someone says to you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat that food, for the sake of the one who told you and for conscience’ sake - 29that is, not your own conscience, but the other person’s conscience.

“Well, then,” someone asks, “why should my freedom to act be limited by another person’s conscience? 30If I thank God for my food, why should anyone criticize me about food for which I give thanks?”

31 Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God’s glory. 32Live in such a way as to cause no trouble either to Jews or Gentiles or to the church of God. 33Just do as I do; I try to please everyone in all that I do, not thinking of my own good, but of the good of all, so that they might be saved.

11 Imitate me, then, just as I imitate Christ.—Ibid.* 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1. Salvation by Faith Alone: The Book of Romans #13 - page 2 of 6

5.    It is interesting to compare Paul’s approach in this setting to that of Daniel as recorded in Daniel 1. Review the story. While Seventh-day Adventists have often used the example of Daniel as proof that vegetarianism is God’s first choice of diet, in fact, the primary reason why Daniel rejected the king’s diet was because the food and drink had been offered to the Babylonian gods. Proof of this is found in Daniel 10:2-3 where Daniel suggested that on other occasions when he was not in mourning, he did occasionally eat meat and drink wine! Thus, by refusing to eat the king’s food, Daniel and his friends were rejecting the Babylonian gods. And after three years, they were better looking, healthier, and smarter than any of the others. Did that have anything to do with food offered to idols?

6.    In Romans, Paul was speaking to believers in Rome saying that those who were strong in their faith could eat whatever was sold in the market without asking any questions with regard to conscience. That was not a discussion about what was healthy. In Paul’s day, he believed that taking this approach was saying that by eating the meat, one rejected the idols because he did not believe that offering the food to them affected the food in any way. Thus, Daniel and Paul did opposite things but for the same reason-to reject idols. What will Paul and Daniel have to say to each other in heaven? While Daniel was rejecting the Babylonian gods, fortunately, he also was eating the healthiest diet. Both Daniel and Paul were doing what Paul recommended in Romans 14; i.e. think through the issues, discuss it with your friends, pray for guidance, and then act in the most intelligent way you can.

7.    Paul was saying that we need to keep in mind the judgment day. That day is much closer now that it was in the days of Paul. Ellen White said:

I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge of present truth know not what they believe. They do not understand the evidences of their faith. They have no just appreciation of the work for the present time. When the time of trial shall come, there are men now preaching to others who will find, upon examining the positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can give no satisfactory reason. Until thus tested they knew not their great ignorance. And there are many in the church who take it for granted that they understand what they believe; but, until controversy arises, they do not know their own weakness. When separated from those of like faith and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth. Certain it is that there has been among us a departure from the living God and a turning to men, putting human in place of divine wisdom.—Ellen G. White, Testimonies,* vol. 5, 707.2; CWE*39.3; AG* 30.3; GW* 298.3; LDE* 70.1; Mar* 45.2.

8.    Paul did not have any questions about whether what he believed was solidly based on the truth. He did not care who disagreed with him! See Galatians 1:6-9[5].

9.    Some of our Christian friends have used Romans 14 along with 1 Corinthians 10:25; Mark 7:18-19; 1 Timothy 4:1-5[6] to suggest that the Seventh-day Adventist emphasis on a healthy diet is no longer required by God. How should we interpret those verses? Read in their full context, they are passages talking about people who for conscience or ceremonial reasons did certain things which they thought were right. If the only reason why you avoid certain items of food is for ceremonial reasons, then perhaps these verses do apply to you! Idols do not have the power to “hex” food. Does one become ceremonially unclean by touching or eating such foods? What about David eating the bread from the sanctuary which was to be eaten only by the priest?

10.    Those who are familiar with the Adventist Health Study and other related research projects are aware that following a healthy Adventist lifestyle can add up to 10 years to one’s life. A young person might be inclined to say: “I don’t care to live 10 more years at the end of my life in some nursing home!” It turns out that if you eat the healthier diet when you are young, you stay “young” longer. So, the years you add will be healthy years-not just 10 more years at the end in a nursing home!

11.    There were also apparently some formerly-Jewish believers in Rome who were encouraging the Christian believers to adopt the keeping of certain ceremonial sabbaths. At one time, there were quite a number of those ceremonial sabbaths. Paul placed the keeping of those ceremonial sabbaths in the same category as eating food offered to idols.

12.    But, there is another major issue to consider. The Jerusalem Council took place not to establish the basic foundation principles of Christianity-which it clearly did not address at all-but to establish criteria that would make it comfortable for formerly-Jewish Christians to worship together with formerly-Gentile Christians! It was all about getting along at church and not being repulsed by sitting next to another person who followed different ceremonial rules. Remember that in the early years, they almost always ate at least one meal together after worshiping together.

13.    So, Paul went on to say that those who have a judgmental attitude-and from either side of the argument are condemning their opponents-are destroying the very peace and harmony God intended for Christian churches. What happens when a church chooses up sides and begins throwing verbal darts at each other? Today, the arguments might be over dress or jewelry or what kind of music to play in church. Those are not core issues.

14.    Honestly now, considering the full span of history especially since early Christian times, is it the seventh-day Sabbath or the ceremonial sabbaths that have created the most controversy? Through the history of our world, far more controversy has arisen over the seventh-day Sabbath than over any ceremonial sabbath. Why is that? Satan understands very well that a correct understand and observance of the seventh-day Sabbath will lead people to honor and admire our true Creator and God. That is a far bigger issue than any involving a ceremonial sabbath, and Satan knows it. He will do anything to prevent our correct worship on God’s holy day. The real issue is how we worship God on that day.

15.    Does that mean that we are free to condemn those who do not observe the seventh-day Sabbath in just the way we do? Of course not! We may try to present the truth to them in a winning and convincing way; but, even if they are not persuaded when we have done our best, it never gives us permission to condemn them. It never helps to beat people over the head with one’s arguments. That would just drive them away. You cannot antagonize and persuade at the same time!

16.    While vegetarianism is indisputably a healthier lifestyle for most of us, it should not become a matter of condemnation either! Remember that Abraham and Sarah fed beef to the Lord and two angels. (Genesis 18:6-8)[7] Did the Lord refuse to eat it? Not at all! Did the Lord ask for a second helping? Jesus fed thousands of people fish. (Matthew 14:13-21; 15:32-38) [8]Jesus even created fish for His disciples to eat. (John 21:9)[9] Or, should we say as one student did when asked: “Why do you think Jesus fed the disciples fish on the beach?” He replied: “I understand that He was living up to all the light He had!” No! It was what they were accustomed to eating. He also ate fish after His resurrection! (Luke 24:42-43)[10]

Christ never worked a miracle except to supply a genuine necessity, and every miracle was of a character to lead the people to the tree of life, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations. The simple food [367] passed round by the hands of the disciples contained a whole treasure of lessons. It was humble fare that had been provided; the fishes and barley loaves were the daily food of the fisher folk about the Sea of Galilee. Christ could have spread before the people a rich repast, but food prepared merely for the gratification of appetite would have conveyed no lesson for their good. Christ taught them in this lesson that the natural provisions of God for man had been perverted. And never did people enjoy the luxurious feasts prepared for the gratification of perverted taste as this people enjoyed the rest and the simple food which Christ provided so far from human habitations.—Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages* 366.1. [Bold type is added.]

17.    It was not a time for a lecture on health reform! Does this mean that our message on diet is not important? Of course not! As usual, we must interpret everything we read in the Bible in the context in which it was written. The question there was: “How can former-pagans worship and eat together with former-Jews without getting upset by each other’s behavior?”

18.    Read Romans 14:19-23[11]. Paul discussed eating food offered to idols, keeping ceremonial sabbaths-even keeping the true Sabbath-and then he went on to effectively say: “Please do not do anything that will upset others within the church. If you have special beliefs about what is permitted and what is not permitted, keep that between yourself and the Lord.”

19.    What is implied by Romans 14:22-23[12]? If you feel guilty about doing something, does that make it a sin? Would it be damaging to your conscience? And why would God condemn such people? And then Paul concluded by writing: “Anything that is not based on faith is sin!” What does that teach us about faith and sin? If we lack faith and love, we sin.

20.    God wants our minds to be as clear as possible and our thinking to be as good as possible. What if we have our minds preoccupied with something that we have done that gives us a guilty conscience? Can we be thinking clearly about the truth?

21.    There are three definitions of sin in the New Testament. We usually refer to 1 John 3:4: “Sin is the transgression of the law,” (KJV) or more correctly as it should be translated, “Sin is lawlessness” or “rebelliousness.” But, what about the definition in James 4:17 (GNB): “So then, if we do not do the good we know we should do, we are guilty of sin.” Is there any limit to the good we know we should do? But, in Romans 14:23 (GNB) we read: “Anything that is not based on faith is sin.” What does that imply? If faith is a relationship with God that helps us to become more like Him on a daily basis because by beholding we become changed, then sin would be anything that separates us from God. (Isaiah 59:2) If we are moving closer to God with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are acting in faith. If we are moving further away from God by following the Devil’s example and our own selfishness, we are sinning. Sin and faith are opposites. This is the most basic definition of sin and faith in the entire Bible. In what way does this verse serve as a conclusion to our discussion about food offered to idols? If we really claim to be Christians, we need to orient our lives to the standards that we have been given by God. Our lives are to be based on “principle.” If we operate contrary to God’s principles, we are moving farther away from God.

22.    Paul proceeded in Romans 15:1-6[13] to speak to the “strong” to remind them that it is their duty to help the weak rather than to destroy their faith by putting stumbling blocks in their way. If we take the loving approach, we are helpful. If we take the selfish approach, we are destructive.

23.    Read Romans 15:7-13[14]. Paul began to summarize by repeating his earlier points that the gospel was given to the Jews, (Romans 3:1-4[15]) but also that it was intended for the Gentiles. His proof was that it says so in the Scriptures-the Old Testament! (2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 117:1; Isaiah 11:10)[16] So, the gospel is clearly intended for both Jews and Gentiles.

24.    Paul was not apologizing for speaking so boldly about what he believed. He had set as a goal for himself to preach the gospel in places where no one had done so before. Do not forget how Paul felt about the core issues in the gospel! (Galatians 1:8-9)[17] That brought him to Romans 15:22-33[18] where he spelled out his plans to visit Rome and to travel on to Spain. But, first he had to make a visit to Jerusalem to carry the large sum of money that he had collected among the Gentiles to help the suffering and poor among the Christians in Palestine. This was going to turn out to be Paul’s last book written in complete freedom. When he got to Jerusalem, he was arrested and imprisoned and finally transferred to Rome where he appeared before Nero.

25.    Some people wonder how Paul could know so many people in Rome having never been there. It reminds us of the famous ancient saying, “All roads lead to Rome.” No doubt, Paul had worked with numerous people particularly in Asia Minor and Greece who had decided to visit Rome or perhaps to move there for business reasons. Some may even have traveled there hoping to spread the gospel.

26.    What are we supposed to do with Paul’s words in Romans 16:16 (GNB): “Greet one another with the kiss of peace.” In some parts of the world, that would seem very natural. In other areas, they would expect a big hug. In conservative England, it might be better as J. B. Phillips suggested in his translation of the New Testament: “Give one another a hearty handshake all round for my sake.”

27.    Notice that Paul was still working with Timothy who sent his greetings. But, how do we explain Romans 16:22 (GNB): “I, Tertius, the writer of this letter, send you Christian greetings.” Was Paul not the author of Romans? Certainly, he was. However, that was not the issue in this section. Tertius was simply the secretary or amanuensis that Paul had been using.

28.    Then, Paul concluded with a glorious prayer of praise. (Romans 16:25-27)[19]

29.    Romans is, no doubt, the most comprehensive and far-reaching declaration about the gospel in all of Scripture. It focuses particularly on the implications of the life and death of Jesus Christ. Those implications are broad and deep. It would have enormous implications for the Christian church if Christians read it regularly and sought for an ever deeper understanding of its many meanings. In Romans we see Paul’s answers to such critical questions as: Why did Jesus have to die? Has God given up on His friends, the Jews? What is the meaning of baptism? Since all human beings are sinners, is there any basis for us condemning each other? And when dealing with such delicate matters as eating food offered to idols, what is the right approach for Christians? This lesson has enormous implications for conservatives and liberals in the Christian church today.

30.    Imagine how different things would be on this earth if all Christians lived out the principles outlined in the book of Romans!

© 2017, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged. *Electronic version.    Info@theox.org

1-Rom 14:1-5 NRSV Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. (2) Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. (3) Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. (4) Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. (5) Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds.

2-Act 15:28-29 NRSV For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials: (29) that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."

3-Act 15:28 NRSV For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials:

4-1Co 8:1-13 NRSV Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. (2) Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; (3) but anyone who loves God is known by him. (4) Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "no idol in the world really exists," and that "there is no God but one." (5) Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as in fact there are many gods and many lords-- (6) yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. (7) It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. (8) "Food will not bring us close to God." We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. (9) But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. (10) For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? (11) So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. (12) But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. (13) Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

1Co 10:23-33 NRSV "All things are lawful," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. (24) Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other. (25) Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, (26) for "the earth and its fullness are the Lord's." (27) If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. (28) But if someone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience-- (29) I mean the other's conscience, not your own. For why should my liberty be subject to the judgment of someone else's conscience? (30) If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks? (31) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. (32) Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, (33) just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved.

1Co 11:1 NRSV Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

5-Gal 1:6-9 NRSV I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- (7) not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! (9) As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!

6-1Co 10:25 NRSV Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience,

Mar 7:18-19 NRSV He said to them, "Then do you also fail to understand? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, (19) since it enters, not the heart but the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.)

1Ti 4:1-5 NRSV Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, (2) through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. (3) They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. (4) For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving; (5) for it is sanctified by God's word and by prayer.

7-Gen 18:6-8 NRSV And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes." (7) Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. (8) Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

8-Mat 14:13-21 NRSV Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. (14) When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. (15) When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." (16) Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." (17) They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." (18) And he said, "Bring them here to me." (19) Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. (20) And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. (21) And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Mat 15:32-38 NRSV Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way." (33) The disciples said to him, "Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?" (34) Jesus asked them, "How many loaves have you?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish." (35) Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, (36) he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. (37) And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. (38) Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children.

9-Joh 21:9 NRSV When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread.

10-Luk 24:42-43 NRSV They gave him a piece of broiled fish, (43) and he took it and ate in their presence.

11-Rom 14:19-23 NRSV Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (20) Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat; (21) it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble. (22) The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve. (23) But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

12-Rom 14:22-23 NRSV The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve. (23) But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

13-Rom 15:1-6 NRSV We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (2) Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. (3) For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." (4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. (5) May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, (6) so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

14-Rom 15:7-13 NRSV Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (8) For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, (9) and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name"; (10) and again he says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people"; (11) and again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him"; (12) and again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope." (13) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

15-Rom 3:1-4 NRSV Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? (2) Much, in every way. For in the first place the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. (3) What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? (4) By no means! Although everyone is a liar, let God be proved true, as it is written, "So that you may be justified in your words, and prevail in your judging."

16-Psa 18:49 NRSV For this I will extol you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing praises to your name.

Deu 32:43 NRSV Praise, O heavens, his people, worship him, all you gods! For he will avenge the blood of his children, and take vengeance on his adversaries; he will repay those who hate him, and cleanse the land for his people.

Psa 117:1 NRSV Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples!

Isa 11:10 NRSV On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

17-Gal 1:8-9 NRSV But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! (9) As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!

18-Rom 15:22-33 NRSV This is the reason that I have so often been hindered from coming to you. (23) But now, with no further place for me in these regions, I desire, as I have for many years, to come to you (24) when I go to Spain. For I do hope to see you on my journey and to be sent on by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a little while. (25) At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem in a ministry to the saints; (26) for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. (27) They were pleased to do this, and indeed they owe it to them; for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material things. (28) So, when I have completed this, and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will set out by way of you to Spain; (29) and I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. (30) I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf, (31) that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, (32) so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. (33) The God of peace be with all of you. Amen.

19-Rom 16:25-27 NRSV Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages (26) but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-- (27) to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

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