| NASB | NLT | VOICE |
| 1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not to have quarrels over opinion. | 1 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and do not argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. | 1 It’s high time that you welcome all people weak in the faith without debating and disputing their opinions. |
We are all weak in some areas and strong in others. Our faith in God can remain strong if we can have fellowship with sinful people and not fall into their habits. Alternatively, our faith is considered weak if we have to avoid certain activities, people, or places in order to protect our spiritual life. The goal at the end of the day is to be able to live your life in a way that fulfills God’s plan for you, while also remaining strong in resisting temptation. It’s about self-control, one of the fruits of the Spirit. God allows us to be able to fight through all temptations in order to preserve our holiness and purity in him through Christ.
Where we are strong in our convictions, we shouldn’t fear being defiled by the world; rather we should go and serve God. We should remain tight to our beliefs (while open to unlearning/relearning things that are wrong and damaging) and not fear being tempted by the world. In those spots that we feel weak it, we should ask God to strengthen us and learn how to use his strength in those moments of weakness, much like Paul describes. If we have strong faith but hide it, we are not doing what we’re called to do. If we have faith but expose it, we are not being wise with it. It’s about using our faith wisely and strongly in all circumstances that we’re called to be in.
Paul knows the church so well, and he already factored in how the church will disagree on disputable matters. He does not want the church to fight over things that are matters of opinion. Differences should not be met with fear or avoided but accepted and handled with love. None of us are the aforementioned expert on everything. Each of us has a unique to represent ways on how to do things or how to see things. We must be willing to listen to every perspective and work towards a mutual understanding and response. Don’t expect everyone to agree on everything. Through sharing ideas together, we come closer to a true representation of what the Bible teaches. How to accept, listen and respect each other. How to not let differences of opinion cause division for they can be a source of learning and a way to deepen our relationship with each other.
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