REPETITION IN ROMANS 14

As I have explained elsewhere, the Bible is filled with repetitions that may seem strange or even annoying to us as we read them. Sometimes these are included to emphasize certain points, other times it is the actual number of repetitions that has significance, and on still other occasions the repetitions may provide a clue to the intended structure of the passage in question. All of these factors are demonstrated in Romans 14. To be more precise, the section in question actually continues through 15:7, as shown in my post entitled “Romans: Introduction to the Literary Structure.”

The Structure of Romans 14:1-15:7

A. Do not dispute over opinions (14:1)

B. How to handle controversial subjects within the body (14:2-23)

1. Do not judge or despise a brother (14:2-4)

2. Serving the Lord whatever our preferences (14:5-9)

1'. Do not judge or hinder a brother (14:10-16)

2'. Serving Christ in whatever we do (14:17-19)

1''. Do not hinder others or have reason to judge yourself (14:20-23)

A'. Live in harmony with one another (15:1-7)

The intended boundaries of this section are indicated by one set of repetitions: the theme of bearing with the “weak” found in 14:1,2 and 15:1. Even more importantly, the exhortation to “welcome” others that begins the section in 14:1 is capped off by the same command in 15:7.

Often certain words are repeated in a passage exactly seven (symbolic of completion or perfection) or twelve (symbolic of the people of God) times or multiples thereof. For example, words translated as “eat” appear twelve times in this section, with the first (14:2) and last (14:21,23) appearances utilizing the Greek word phago. This number of repetitions is significant since the whole passage involves relationships within the body of Christ.

It is obvious upon reading this passage that the major theme is the concept of judging. Actually, in the Greek this becomes even more obvious than in English translations since the root krino (“judge”) appears eleven times by itself or as part of compound words, being translated in some places as “opinions” (14:1), “esteem” (14:5), “decide” (14:13), “doubt” (14:23a), or “condemn” (14:23b). Now if you remember what I said above, one would expect that the word would occur 12 times and not stop with 11. Well, there is one additional place in the passage where the concept of judgment is present -- v. 10 where we find “the judgment seat of God.” But unlike the appearances of krino describing man's imperfect judgment, here we have the word bema referring to the site of God's perfect judgment. Note that this occurrence is found right at the center of the literary structure pictured above. The purposeful change in language is intended to draw attention to this key point in the passage.

The word bema also appears in Paul's writings at II Corinthians 5:10. McComiskey notes, “Both passages draw attention to the reversal of roles: Jesus who appeared before the judgment seat of men [see Matthew 27:15] and suffered unjust judgment will one day sit in righteous judgment over unjust men.”

Although the same basic teaching involving judging seems to be repeated several times, there is actually a subtle progression in the central unit B of this section (see the above outline). Besides the alternation between positive and negative commands, note that the latter (the “1” sub-sections) add one element each time so that what began in unit 1 as judging others becomes self-judgment in 1''. This is in essence a recapitulation of the earlier statement in Romans 2:1: “...on passing judgment upon him [i.e., another] you condemn yourself.”

There are several additional verbal and thematic repetitions within this biblical passage:

    The word “faith” only appears at the start (14:1) and near the conclusion (14:22-23).

    “Building up” is found at 14:19 and 15:2.

    By contrast, the negative effects on others of our judging are described as “stumbling block” (14:13a), “hindrance” (14:13b), “injured” (14:15a), “ruin” (14:15b), “destroy” (14:20a), and “fall” (14:20b).

    “Fall” appears in both 14:4 and 14:20.

    When the word “eat” appears, it is always in pairs, as in 14:2-3, 6, and 15.

    The Judgment Day is described using different wording in 14:4 and 14:11-12, and each person is said to be accountable for their individual acts at that time.

    The necessity of everyone being convinced in their own mind is stressed in 14:5,22-23.

    Christ's atoning death is alluded to in 14:9, 14:15, and 15:3.

In conclusion, note that all three Persons of the Trinity are included in 14:17-18.