Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 14:1

1. HIm that is weak in the faith receive you , but not to doubtful disputations .

That is wavering and unsetled in some lesser points of Faith, particularly in the Doctrine of Christian Liberty, and freedom from the Ceremonial Law: He means the Scrupulous and Erroneous Iudaizer, though yet in proportion, it may be applyed to other scrupulous and doubting Christians.

Or receive him to you, take him into your bosomes, admit him to Communion with you, bear with his weakness, better instruct him with The Spirit of Meakness. vid. chap. 15.1. Phil. 3.15, 16. Bucer received all though differing from him in some Opinions, in whom he found, aliquid Christi, any thing of Christ.

q. d. Don't entertain him with disputes and vain janglings, which will not edifie, but perplex and prejudice him. Don't make him question Sick, as 'tis in 1 Tim. 6.4. This passage may be expounded by Tit. 3.9. The marginal reading, would make this to be the sence, That a Scrupulous Christian should be received unto Communion; yet not so as to encourage him to judge and condemn the thoughts of those that differ from him.

In this Chapter and part of the next, The Apostle treats of some lesser matters of Religion, about which there were great Contentions in the Church of Rome. Some of the Iewes, though they embraced the Gospel, did stifly adhear still to the Mosaical Ceremonies; and though a difference in meats and dayes should be conscientiously observed; yet they were ready to censure those that were contrary minded, as profane Persons and Contemners of the Law of God. On the other side, the believing Gentiles, being better instructed about their Christian Liberty, when they saw the Iewes insisting upon such things as these, that had never any real goodness in them, and were now abrogated by Christ; they were ready to despise them as Ignorant and Superstitious, and to deny Communion with them. The Apostle therefore doth seasonably endeavour to arbitrate this matter, and make peace amongst them.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 8.9. and 9.22.; Or, receive to you.; Or, to the judging of thoughts,