Chapter # 14 Paragraph # 2 Study # 18
October 17, 2021
Humble, Texas
(148)
1769 KJV Translation:
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [
he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [
is] not of faith is sin.
1901 ASV Translation:
23 But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
- I. Paul's "Repetition" Of His "Kingdom" Principles.
- A. The aforementioned "chiastic" structure of Paul's words (see (127)) made the essence of The Kingdom of The God his major subject of interest [righteousness, peace, and joy].
- B. We have looked at both parts of Paul's chiasm.
- II. Paul's Summation: 14:21-23.
- A. Regarding the "on the ground issue" of "eating and drinking" in the light of the conflict because of "baggage" brought into "The Faith" by those who believe the Gospel but are too ignorant and selfish to grasp its roots.
- B. Regarding the exercise of "faith" in view of "freedom" given in Christ.
- 1. Key to Paul's declaration that "whatever is not of faith is sin" is his definition of "faith" in this text/context.
- a. Generally, "faith" in the Scriptures is an "embracing" (Mark 6:11) of "truth" in such a way that the subsequent reasonings, choices, and actions are directed by that "truth".
- b. Specifically in this context, "faith" is still a "director" of thought, choice, and action. Paul says "eating" (an action) that does not arise out of "faith" (the foundation of the action of eating) is sin and that everything that does not arise out of "faith" is sin.
- c. In this text/context, however, "faith" is somewhat removed from "truth" in that "eating" is restrained by "a diseased faith". This "diseased faith" retains somewhat of the notion that "eating" will make one more, or less, acceptable to God (1 Corinthians 8:8).
- d. This means that "faith" has been pushed back from the action itself. In other words, it is no longer a matter of specific action arising out of specific confidence. It is now a matter of how the action affects others.
- 1) Some, who are "free" to eat because they understand that God does not care whether they do, or not, "eat" and, by so doing, "offend" their "diseased brother" and, consequently, are guilty of failing to walk according to the standard of "Love" (14:15). They manifest the absence of "Love" by possessing a condescending attitude toward "those diseased in The Faith" and flaunting their freedom to eat.
- 2) Others, who are not "free" to eat because they have misunderstood the divine intention regarding His dietary commands, do not "eat" and set up a conflict over whether anyone is really "free" to eat whatever he/she chooses. Consequently, they also are guilty of violating the standard of "Love", not by refraining from "eating", but by pushing the notion that "eating" or "refraining from eating" makes a direct impact upon one's relationship with God. They manifest their absence of "Love" by possessing a critical (judgmental) attitude toward those who eat, and refrain from eating as a kind of slap in the face of those who do not refrain.
- 3) Thus, the more fundamental issue of "Faith" is "Love" and no one can actually exercise "Faith" if it is not driven by "Love" (1 Corinthians 13:2).
- e. This pushing of faith back away from the action itself does not annul the necessity of "faith" being an embracing of some particular "truth", but, rather, moves the "thing believed" to a different place in one's reasoning. It is no longer that I "believe" in my freedom to eat; it is now that I "believe" that my brother's true interests are more important than my appetite (1 Corinthians 8:13).
- 2. Thus, "whatsoever is not of faith is sin" means more than having a clear conscience regarding a specific action; it now means having a clear conscience regarding how that action affects others.