Romans 14:3

Despise. Gr. exouthened, literally, “to throw out as nothing,” hence, “to look down on,” “to treat with contempt.” Those of stronger faith would naturally be inclined to look with some contempt upon the narrowness of those “weak in the faith” (v. 1) as regards foods. This, of course, would reveal that the faith of those supposedly strong was still deficient, for pure faith works through love (Gal. 5:6).

Judge. Censoriousness is often characteristic of those whose religious experience is based largely upon the fulfillment of external requirements. Both parties are in the wrong. Both are revealing spiritual pride instead of Christian love.

Received. Gr. proslambano, “to take to oneself.” This is the word translated “receive” in v. 1. The Christian is to “receive” his brother as God has received him (see ch. 15:7).

Him. That is, the stronger brother who has no scruples about eating “all things” (v. 2). Paul’s point is that the abstaining believer should not condemn, for his freedom, the man whom God has accepted and received into His church in this freedom (see 1 Cor. 10:29; Gal. 5:13). If God has forgiven his sins and accepted him as His child, and his life in other respects reveals the presence of the Holy Spirit, all such criticism is out of place.