Monday, May 13 It is best not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything over which your brother stumbles.​—Rom. 14:21.

[Áine]

Monday, May 13

It is best not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything over which your brother stumbles.—Rom. 14:21.

 

The congregation in Rome was made up of both Jewish and Gentile Christians. When the Mosaic Law was done away with, the restrictions it had placed on eating certain foods were no longer in force. (Mark 7:19) From that time on, some Jewish Christians felt free to eat all kinds of foods. Other Jewish Christians, however, could not bring themselves to do so. The congregation became divided over this issue. The apostle Paul underscored the importance of keeping peace. Paul thus helped his fellow believers to see how damaging such disputes were to individuals and to the congregation as a whole. (Rom. 14:19, 20) He was also willing to change his own behavior to avoid stumbling others. (1 Cor. 9:19-22) We can likewise build others up and maintain peace if we refrain from making issues over matters of personal preference. w22.08 22 ¶7