The hinge for the chapter rotates on the opening sentence. Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters (1). And the key to this sentence is understanding what are “disputable matters.”
As the chapter unfolds it is clear that food & drink and the observance of sacred days are disputable matters. These embody the issues Paul is speaking about to the church at
As I considered this, I realized that naming any non-disputable matters is also important. Paul has labored in Romans, chapters 1-11, to explain the way of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus. Clearly this is a non-disputable matter. Also, anything which is explicitly taught to be sin (the various sin lists) are indisputable. Another indisputable matter would be the action or behavior that is everywhere, taught in scripture to be wrong or right. So it seems that disputable matters are those that are not core to the Christian faith… secondary matters of behavior which a person can do which does not break the law of love (Chapter 13) and which can be performed to the honor of God.
Disputable matters we are to leave up to the individual Believer and not judge them by what we think and follow regarding these matters. Food/drink, sacred days… these are listed. Others could be length of hair, playing cards, dancing, cultural dress, greeting codes, and the like.
As I mulled this over I realized that I must be careful not to fill my heart with judgment on these disputable matters, which say nothing truly about one’s devotion and faith in Jesus.
Lord, help me to accept sisters and brothers, who on disputable matters, think differently but who, on the core of faith and scripturally defined behavior matters, follow You as Lord, Savior and God. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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