Romans 14:23

everything that is not from faith is sin: God’s word teaches us what sin is. Sin also includes acting against one’s conscience (our inner sense of right and wrong). Some Christians in Rome did not yet believe they could eat meat, drink wine, or ignore Jewish holy days. Their consciences were still weak. They should not act against their consciences in these matters. The strong should also not pressure them to do so, either by their example or by showing contempt.

Paul addresses a specific issue causing conflict in the church at Rome. The church encountered a dispute between those weak in faith and those strong in faith about certain practices (see 15:1).

Throughout this section, Paul urges Christians to show patience and tolerance toward one another and their practices. He is convinced that people on both sides are genuine believers. He also believes that the issues they are arguing about are not essential to the Christian faith.

This section of Romans explains the moral and ethical demands of the gospel. God’s gift of salvation in Christ calls for a response from believers.

God not only forgives sin. He also wants to transform how people live.

Much of what Paul teaches here about the moral duties of believers also appears in his other letters. However, Paul also addresses issues that were especially important for the church in Rome. One key issue was the disagreement between people who were weak in faith and people who were strong in faith(14:1–15:13).