The 14th chapter of Paul's book-length essay appeals to all believers in Christ to accept one another and not judge. The background to this teaching is the multi-ethnic makeup, not only of the church in Rome, but of virtually all the churches springing up in the Roman Empire. The gentile contingent had to decide whether they could eat meat sold in the market because, before it was made available for purchase, a portion of it had been sacrificed to a pagan deity. Some argued that the meat was unsuitable for a Christian, some argued that people outside the church would know and misinterpret the actions of the Christians, while still others argued that the Christian need not fear the meat and perhaps even that it was a good witness to eat it and not suffer at all from doing so.
Paul urges them not to take sides at all. Both those who refrained from meat and those who ate it did so to the glory of God. Those who did not eat were not to judge those who ate meat and those who did were not to belittle those who did not.
Among the Jews, there were some who still observed the weekly Shabbat (the Hebrew word "seventh" to designate the day we call Saturday) as a day of obligatory rest and some who considered themselves freed from having to observe, not only the Saturday rest, but also the observance of the festival days prescribed in the Torah.
Again, Paul instructs both sides not to judge each other, but rather to respect the practices of their Christian brothers and sisters. He then offers a higher teaching: the Christian no longer lives for himself or herself, but rather for God, because for that purpose Christ was killed and lives again. Accordingly, no one should feel justified in judging fellow Christians. Instead, we will all appear before the throne of God to be judged. and we will all have to give an account to the Lord. Then Paul quotes Isaiah (49:18 and 45:23) "I live, says Yahweh, so that every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess God." That is, do not try to put yourself in God's place by judging others.
This brings us through the first half of the chapter, which comes down heavy on those who condemn other Christians for eating meat from the market or drinking wine, or not observing Saturdays or feast days. The second half turns to the ones being judged. Apparently they countered by saying that they were strong in their faith while their accusers were weak. Paul tells the "strong" that they have a responsibility to their "weak" fellow Christians. This is the higher teaching: refrain from behaviors that bring grief to them or that could lead them to do things that violate their conscience. The work of God is not to be hindered for the sake of what one prefers to eat. Whatever you do, do it for the good of your fellow Christians and for peace in the church.
Finally, Paul says, whatever you do, make it in faith, that is, trusting Christ so fully that your greatest joy and your first priority is to obey him.
The issues vary, but even today Christians judge other Christians for doing things the former disapprove of or for living differently. To use a popular meme: get over it. Let's affirm each other in the faith and get on with whatever the Lord is directing the church to do.
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