The Faith

I wrote that some versions of the Bible do not have definite articles before faith. This can make a major difference in meaning and application. One verse is Romans 14:1.

Rom 14:1  (G1161) Him that is weakG770 in theG3588 faithG4102 receiveG4355 ye, but notG3361 toG1519 doubtfulG1261 disputations.G1253 

The KJV has the article whereas others do not. This normally from being translated from a Latin text which may not use articles, it is simply left up to context if translating into English. The Greek texts seem to be more direct and accurate, providing less use of personal judgment.

In the case of Romans 14:1 it could be the difference between a weak personal faith or a faith that is sick or corrupted. We should receive someone even if their faith isn't perfect. In Romans 14 it would mean receiving Jewish Christians who continued to practice the law of Moses. Their view of the faith would be corrupted but they still understood God accepted the Gentiles even if they did not practice their view.

The weak or sickly ones were those who would not eat any meats from the market place, making their practices overly protective against Gentile prepared meats.

The faith allowed eating of meats if there was no knowledge of the preparation or knowledge of any sacrifice toward idols. Some would be overly protective against any meats, just as some Gentiles were overly protective against some Jewish holidays, or Jews against Gentile holidays.

The real issue was how to join different groups into one body and maintain peace, harmony, and edification.

Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 

Jews did not always accept they could set aside the ordinances in the law, the gentiles understood their freedom, but also could act hateful to those who did not understand. They both broke the commandment to love.

The reason we do not practice the Jewish ordinances like instruments or holidays is we are free, but we shouldn't be hateful to the Jews. If we had some in our congregation we shouldn't keep them from practicing their religion outside of Church, as long as they don't forct the ordinances into the whole body. We are indeed free.

Those who would force it into the church would be considered sickly concerning the faith. Some may get upset and start their own congregations to get their way. They would be sickly and probably lost for their arrogance.

They would be considered unloving toward the body and violators of the faith.

We should receive the sickly unless they act unloving and make a stink about our practices. They will be judged by Christ as we will.