Romans14
New Living Translation
1Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.
2For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables.
3Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.
4Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.
5In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.
6Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God.
7For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves.
8If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
9Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.
10So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
11For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’”
12Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.
13So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
14I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong.
15And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died.
16Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good.
17For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.
19So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
20Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble.
21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.
22You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.
23But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Romans 14.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The Jewish converts cautioned against judging, and Gentile believers against despising one the other. (1–13). And the Gentiles exhorted to take heed of giving offence in their use of indifferent things. (14–23).
vv1-6
Differences of opinion prevailed even among the immediate followers of Christ and their disciples. Nor did St. Paul attempt to end them. Compelled assent to any doctrine, or conformity to outward observances without being convinced, would be hypocritical and of no avail. Attempts for producing absolute oneness of mind among Christians would be useless. Let not Christian fellowship be disturbed with strifes of words. It will be good for us to ask ourselves, when tempted to disdain and blame our brethren; Has not God owned them? and if he has, dare I disown them? Let not the Christian who uses his liberty, despise his weak brother as ignorant and superstitious. Let not the scrupulous believer find fault with his brother, for God accepted him, without regarding the distinctions of meats. We usurp the place of God, when we take upon us thus to judge the thoughts and intentions of others, which are out of our view. The case as to the observance of days was much the same. Those who knew that all these things were done away by Christ's coming, took no notice of the festivals of the Jews. But it is not enough that our consciences consent to what we do; it is necessary that it be certified from the word of God. Take heed of acting against a doubting conscience. We are all apt to make our own views the standard of truth, to deem things certain which to others appear doubtful. Thus Christians often despise or condemn each other, about doubtful matters of no moment. A thankful regard to God, the Author and Giver of all our mercies, sanctifies and sweetens them.
vv7-13
Though some are weak, and others are strong, yet all must agree not to live to themselves. No one who has given up his name to Christ, is allowedly a self-seeker; that is against true Christianity. The business of our lives is not to please ourselves, but to please God. That is true Christianity, which makes Christ all in all. Though Christians are of different strength, capacities, and practices in lesser things, yet they are all the Lord's; all are looking and serving, and approving themselves to Christ. He is Lord of those that are living, to rule them; of those that are dead, to revive them, and raise them up. Christians should not judge or despise one another, because both the one and the other must shortly give an account. A believing regard to the judgment of the great day, would silence rash judgings. Let every man search his own heart and life; he that is strict in judging and humbling himself, will not be apt to judge and despise his brother. We must take heed of saying or doing things which may cause others to stumble or to fall. The one signifies a lesser, the other a greater degree of offence; that which may be an occasion of grief or of guilt to our brother.
vv14-18
Christ deals gently with those who have true grace, though they are weak in it. Consider the design of Christ's death: also that drawing a soul to sin, threatens the destruction of that soul. Did Christ deny himself for our brethren, so as to die for them, and shall not we deny ourselves for them, so as to keep from any indulgence? We cannot hinder ungoverned tongues from speaking evil; but we must not give them any occasion. We must deny ourselves in many cases what we may lawfully do, when our doing it may hurt our good name. Our good often comes to be evil spoken of, because we use lawful things in an uncharitable and selfish manner. As we value the reputation of the good we profess and practise, let us seek that it may not be evil-spoken of. Righteousness, peace, and joy, are words that mean a great deal. As to God, our great concern is to appear before him justified by Christ's death, sanctified by the Spirit of his grace; for the righteous Lord loveth righteousness. As to our brethren, it is to live in peace, and love, and charity with them; following peace with all men. As to ourselves, it is joy in the Holy Ghost; that spiritual joy wrought by the blessed Spirit in the hearts of believers, which respects God as their reconciled Father, and heaven as their expected home. Regard to Christ in doing our duties, alone can make them acceptable. Those are most pleasing to God that are best pleased with him; and they abound most in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. They are approved by wise and good men; and the opinion of others is not to be regarded.
Key Words
ἀσθενέω (asthenéō): to be feeble (in any sense)
πίστις (pístis): persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself
προσλαμβάνω (proslambánō): to take to oneself, i.e. use (food), lead (aside), admit (to friendship or hospitality)
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
μή (mḗ): (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas G3756 (οὐ) expects an affirmative one)) whether
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
διαλογισμός (dialogismós): discussion, i.e. (internal) consideration (by implication, purpose), or (external) debate
διάκρισις (diákrisis): judicial estimation
μέν (mén): properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with G1161 (δέ) (this one, the former, etc.)
ὅς (hós): the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Romans 14Direct Old Testament citation establishing that every knee shall bow to the Lord and swear allegiance.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallels the warning against letting anyone judge you regarding food, drink, or observance of festival days.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Explicit parallel asserting that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give account.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Detailed treatment of weak consciences, scrupulous eating, and avoiding being a stumblingblock to others.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Warns against judging a brother, reminding that there is only one Lawgiver and Judge.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Addresses the controversial Galatian practice of scrupulously observing days, months, seasons, and years.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Reinforces that believers are not their own; they were bought with a price to glorify God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Confirms that Christ died for all so that those who live should live for Him.
Supported by JFB
Echoes Jesus' teaching that nothing entering a man's mouth defiles him; it is unclean only to him.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Reflects Peter's vision where God declared that what He has cleansed is no longer to be called common.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Immediate sequel urging the strong to bear with the failings of the weak.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Historical example of Daniel refusing defiling food, choosing pulse and water instead of royal meat.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Condemns those commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Command to eat and drink to the glory of God, echoing giving thanks to the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jesus' warning against causing one of these little ones who believe in Him to stumble.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Affirms that to the pure all things are pure, matching Paul's statement on food.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul's vow to never eat meat if it makes his brother stumble.
Supported by JFB