But if your brother is grieved with your food, you no longer walk in love. Destroy not him with your food, for whom Christ died.
All Commentaries on Romans 14:15 Go To Romans 14
John Chrysostom
AD 407
You see how far Paul bends in the name of charity, endeavoring to draw the erring brother by yielding to him so as not to hurt him. For even when he has freed him from his fears, he does not drag or force him but leaves him to his own decision. Abstaining from food is not in the same category as seriously injuring somebody by what you eat. Do you not value your brother enough even to purchase his salvation at the price of abstaining from certain types of food? Christ did not refuse to become a servant and even to die for him, but you will not even give up your food in order to save him! Homilies on Romans
