“For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.”
One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. — The strong (ischyro, mighty) eats panta (all things); the weak (asthenes, infirm, powerless in conviction) abstains to vegetables only. The historical context suggests Jewish dietary laws or pagan idol-meat scruples. The difference marks epistemological divide: the weak see danger; the strong see freedom.
Church Fathers on Romans 14:2
I Am aware that to most what is here said is a difficulty. And therefore I must first give the subject of the whole of this passage, and what he wishes to correct in writing this. What does he wish to correct then? There were many of the Jews which believed, who adhered of conscience to the Law, and after their believing, still kept to the observance of meats, as not having courage yet to quit the service of the Law entirely. Then that they might not be observed if they kept…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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