Audio commentary on this verse

Note 5 at Rom. 14:3: Paul is preaching a tolerance of other believers who have differing views that could appear contradictory to his own actions. However, as explained in note 3 at verse 1, on page 838, these are not believers who are putting faith in these actions for salvation; they wouldn't be true Christians if they were. These people were justified by faith but they had a personal conviction about keeping the ceremonial law of their Jewish heritage.

These people are different from the ones that Paul spoke of in his letter to Timothy. In 1 Timothy 4:3, Paul said those who commanded others to abstain from meats were speaking a doctrine of devils. The key difference is the word "command." Those in 1 Timothy 4 were demanding compliance for salvation. The people that Paul is saying to receive in this verse are people who are not judging others for their own personal convictions.

Note 6 at Rom. 14:3: Notice that Paul instructs those who have the revelation of their freedom in Christ not to despise those who don't. He also instructs those who are still emphasizing works to not judge those who aren't.

Paul is revealing that the danger for those who have a revelation of God's grace is to become insensitive to and impatient with their brethren who haven't yet come to that knowledge. We have to temper our freedom in Christ with love for our fellow Christians. "Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth" (1 Cor. 8:1).

Those who have not yet renewed their minds to their freedom from the Old Testament law tend to be judgmental of others who don't have their standard of holiness. Passing judgment on others is a sure sign of a legalistic mentality (see note 46 at Mt. 7:1, p. 138).