Romans 14:1-12

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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • "Judge Not," Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit.
  • Chapter VI, The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, Polycarp of Smyrna (70-155).
  • III.XVIII.2, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • II.1, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • III.6, VI.1, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter II, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
  • IX.VII, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
  • I.Preface.6, II.LXV, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • Epistle LI -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 252)
  • From Martin Luther's Bible Commentary (1545).
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "...we must leave to God his right, and therefore in matters which are either good or evil according to the conscience of the individual, the strong must not despise their weak brethren, much less condemn them."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "Differences of opinion prevailed even among the immediate followers of Christ and their disciples. Nor did St. Paul attempt to end them."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "Not to lay a stumblingblock - By moving him to do as thou doest, though against his conscience. Or a scandal - Moving him to hate or judge thee."
  • The Great Assize (Rom 14:10). Sermon by John Wesley.
    • "You, whose office it is to execute what is given you in charge by him before whom you stand; how nearly are you concerned to resemble those that stand before the face of the Son of Man, those servants of his that do his pleasure, and hearken to the voice of his words! Does it not highly import you, to be as uncorrupt as them?"
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "For Christ is here--in the most emphatic terms, and yet in the most unimpassioned tone--held up as the supreme Object of the Christian's life, and of his death too."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "Some, Jewish converts or Gentiles who did not understand that the old covenant was ended, believed that the Jewish Sabbaths and new moons should be kept sacred."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Romans 14:1-12, Mark Reasoner, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
    • "This section of Romans makes it clear that divisions in the church go back to the earliest churches."
  • "First Thoughts on Year A Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 18, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Paul's flexibility is rooted in his vision of Christ."
  • Pentecost 17: Romans 14:5-9, A New vision of Righteousness: Paul's Exhortations in Romans 12 - 15, Peter L. Samuelson, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1990.
  • "None Lives for Themselves," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • "Conflict Resolution in Community," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches, 2008.
  • "Sacrifice in Romans 12-15," Calvin J. Roetzel, Word & World, 1986.
  • "Relationships Count," Edgar Krentz, Christian Century, 1996.
    • "A Christian curmudgeon or misanthrope is an oxymoron, a paradox, an impossibility, an ultimate denial of the forgiving grace of God. Sweet reasonableness, openness to all, are the hallmarks of the Christian faith."
  • "Love and Liberty: Liberties Love Won't Take (Romans 14:1-23)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "With these words, Paul redirects our focus. Cease from judging your brother, and concentrate on examining yourself."
• Articles & Background:
  • "Forgiveness: Taking the World to Heart," J. Randall O'Brien, (other resources at) "Forgiveness," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2001.
    • "The whole emphasis of the New Testament is on forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, and holy living manifested and made possible by the love of God through the Cross of Jesus Christ."
  • "Judgment and Life for the Lord: Occasion and Theology of Romans 14:1 - 15:13," Kevin B. McCruden, Biblica, 2005.
    • "Paul employs non-specific language in this section in order to espouse a larger theological vision of the essential unity of Jew and Gentile under God’s salvation in Christ."
  • "Social Identity, the Virtues, and the Good Life: A New Approach to Romans 12:1 - 15:13," Philip F. Esler, Biblical Theology Bulletin, 2003.
    • "...this part of the letter can be interpreted both as Paul's attempt to outline descriptors of the new identity his addressees experience as members of the Christ-movement, especially in relation to agape, and as a vision of the moral life very similar to the Aristotelian interest in the virtues as the means to promote human flourishing."
  • • translation has been to stimulate indigenous renewal."
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
  • Gagnon, Robert A.J., "Why the 'Weak' at Rome Cannot Be Non-Christian Jews," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2000.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Horrell, David G., "The Peaceable, Tolerant Community and the Legitimate Role of the State: Ethics and Ethical Dilemmas in Romans 12:1-15:13," Review & Expositor, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Jaquette, James L., "Life and Death, ADIAPHORA, and Paul's Rhetorical Strategies," Novum Testamentum, 1996. (Section on this text begins on page 46.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Karris, Robert J., O.F.M., "Romans 14:1-15:13 and the Occasion of Romans," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1973.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Krentz, Edgar, "Relationships Count," The Christian Century, 1996.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Miller, Susan, "Romans 14:1 - 15:7 -- Unity in the Essentials, Opinions in the Non-Essentials, Charity in Everything," Review & Expositor, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Roetzel, Calvin J., "Sacrifice in Romans 12-15," Word & World, 1986.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Samuelson, Peter L., "A New Vision of Righteousness: Paul's Exhortations in Romans 12-15," Word & World, 1990.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Tomson, Peter J., "Jewish Food Laws in early Christian Community Discourse," Semeia, 1999.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Westhelle, Vitor, "Paul's Reconstruction of Theology: Romans 9-14 in Context," Word & World, 1984.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Reviews:
• Sermons:
  • "From Commandments to Commitments," the Rev. Ignacio Castuera, Day 1, 1999.
• With Children:
  • "Be A Living Sacrifice to God," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
• Drama:
  • "Mowing Down Cats," Michelle Pitman, dramatix.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Romans 14:7-8, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Romans 14:8, 12. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Lord, Speak to Me
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Romans