1. Romans 14:1 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

How must the church handle members who are weak in faith?

Romans 14:1 (ESV)

1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

The church must make those who are weak in faith feel welcomed by showing them love and care. Not everyone has as strong a faith like that of father Abraham. When he was around one hundred years old and his old wife, Sarah, could no longer bear children, he continued to believe in God’s promise that Sarah would receive a child: He did not weaken in faith (Romans 4:19). In Romans 14:1 Paul employs these same words for describing some members of the church in Rome: they are weak in faith. What must the church do with those whose faith is less strong? She must welcome them. The Greek verb (proslambanein) has a positive meaning, which entails more than a formal recognition, and specifically refers to a heartfelt welcoming attitude. The church must take care of and look after those who are weak in the faith.1