Christians are going to disagree about some issues. It might be acceptable entertainment, whether we allow our children to attend public schools, whether it is OK to celebrate holidays, and so on. When an issue is not clearly dealt with in the Bible or if the Bible is silent about the issue, we are to welcome those who disagree with us, not condemn, look down on, or withdraw fellowship from them.

This is the message Paul delivered to the Roman Christians who were treating those they disagreed with over issues of food, drink, and the observation of certain days as worthy of contempt. Paul instructed them, and then us, how to treat those we disagree with about similar types of issues. He then five reasons for doing so in this passage.