what is the spiritual meaning of this verse?

Question

romans 14:2-3 "For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him."

Answer 1

It has to do with the eating of meat. Meats were offered to idol gods and then put in the meat markets of the day for sale. Those who had become Christian in Paul's day felt they were being unfaithful by eating such meat, therefore he says of these that their conscience is weak.
Others were persuaded (rightly) that the true God whom they had come to know through the Gospel was the source of every creature, and therefore they were able to eat these meats without any pangs of conscience. The whole thrust of the 14th chapter of Romans has to do with being considerate towards your fellow believer who may not have as good an understanding of things as you do, and not doing anything to embolden him to do something that would cause him to act against his own conscience.
This is summed up in the final verse 23:

"But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin."

In other words, live your life of faith with a good conscience before God, and don't do anything if you are not sure whether it is the right thing to do, and don't let your conduct become a stumbling block for someone weaker in their faith.

Answer 2

It means you can eat what you want. The old testament laws are no longer binding what is "clean" and "unclean" to eat.

Nothing overly spiritual about it, other than the fact that the Jews have followed a certain diet as set down by God for 4000 years.

Answer 3

do you realize to understand some of this stuff you have to be a pagan..... because this is knowledge taken from pagans and absorbed by the church to harness the power of spirituality....

this just means in pagan language.... when someone is sick they can be made well with the herbs and the plant life... don't need pill medicines prescribed by doctors.... and then there's mention of the vegetarian vs meat eaters debate... and then the mandatory christian god trying to take credit for advice given by the spiritual people of nature..... you guys will never understand this stuff will you...

Answer 4

Not trying to be disresectful, but This' what it looks like to me...Um...first verse I think means...weak people are vegetarians, maybe? And as for the second one...people who eat shouldn't bash anorexics, and the people do not eat do not judge the eaters, because God chose the people who eat over anorexics?

Answer 5

Some early Christians were concerned about buying meat at the marketplace because it was so often offered up to idols
So, the point is- if it bothers you, don't eat it, but if another eats it, don't judge

Answer 6

I'm not so sure that it has an actual "spiritual" meaning. I think it means that although a person may see things a little differently, don't jump to conclusions and don't judge them too harshly.

Answer 7

It means we should not despise or judge our brother or sister in Christ in what they eat. I should not judge or despise my Christian Sister who is a vegetarian, and she should not judge me when I dig into a nice thick juicy steak. God has reveived us both.

Answer 8

It simply mean respect for other faith. Mind your own business.

Answer 9

It refers to one's faith - how those who are strong in their faith must not condemn those who are weak, and those who are weak are not to condemn those who are strong.