Romans Chapter 14

Do Not Judge Your Brother

(Matthew 7:1-6; Luke 6:37-42)

1Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 4Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

5One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Do Not Cause Your Brother to Stumble

(Ezekiel 14:1-11; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13)

13Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. 14I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. 16Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 20For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Law of Liberty
(Matthew 7:1–6; Luke 6:37–42)

1 Now accept one who is weak in faith, but not for disputes over opinions. 2 One man has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Don’t let him who eats despise him who doesn’t eat. Don’t let him who doesn’t eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you who judge another’s servant? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for God has power to make him stand.

5 One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. He who doesn’t eat, to the Lord he doesn’t eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written, “‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to God.’”

12 So then each one of us will give account of himself to God.

The Law of Love
(Ezekiel 14:1–11; 1 Corinthians 8:1–13)

13 Therefore let’s not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother’s way, or an occasion for falling. 14 I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself; except that to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if because of food your brother is grieved, you walk no longer in love. Don’t destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Then don’t let your good be slandered, 17 for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then, let us follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up. 20 Don’t overthrow God’s work for food’s sake. All things indeed are clean, however it is evil for that man who creates a stumbling block by eating. 21 It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who doesn’t judge himself in that which he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn’t of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin. (14:24) Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages, (14:25) but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations; (14:26) to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

The Law of Liberty
(Matthew 7:1–6; Luke 6:37–42)

1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions. a 2 For one person has faith to eat all things, while another, who is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5 One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; b he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

7 For none of us lives to himself alone, and none of us dies to himself alone. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this reason Christ died and returned to life, that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:

“As surely as I live,

says the Lord,

every knee will bow before Me;

every tongue will confess to God.” c

12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

The Law of Love
(Ezekiel 14:1–11; 1 Corinthians 8:1–13)

13 Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

14 I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15 If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.

16 Do not allow what you consider good, then, to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

19 So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble. d

22 Keep your belief about such matters between yourself and God. e Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin. f

Footnotes:

1 a Or without quarreling over disputable matters
6 b BYZ and TR include he who does not regard the day, to the Lord he does not regard it;
11 c Or will give praise to God  or will acknowledge God ; Isaiah 45:23 (see also LXX)
21 d SBL, BYZ, and TR include or to be hindered or weakened .
22 e Literally Keep the faith that you have to yourself before God
23 f Some manuscripts place the text of Romans 16:25–27 here.

Do Not Judge Your Brother

(Matthew 7:1-6; Luke 6:37-42)

1And him who is weak in the faith receive ye -- not to determinations of reasonings; 2one doth believe that he may eat all things -- and he who is weak doth eat herbs; 3let not him who is eating despise him who is not eating: and let not him who is not eating judge him who is eating, for God did receive him. 4Thou -- who art thou that art judging another's domestic? to his own master he doth stand or fall; and he shall be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

5One doth judge one day above another, and another doth judge every day alike; let each in his own mind be fully assured. 6He who is regarding the day, to the Lord he doth regard it, and he who is not regarding the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He who is eating, to the Lord he doth eat, for he doth give thanks to God; and he who is not eating, to the Lord he doth not eat, and doth give thanks to God. 7For none of us to himself doth live, and none to himself doth die; 8for both, if we may live, to the Lord we live; if also we may die, to the Lord we die; both then if we may live, also if we may die, we are the Lord's; 9for because of this Christ both died and rose again, and lived again, that both of dead and of living he may be Lord.

10And thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or again, thou, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand at the tribunal of the Christ;

11for it hath been written, 'I live! saith the Lord -- to Me bow shall every knee, and every tongue shall confess to God;'

12so, then, each of us concerning himself shall give reckoning to God;

Do Not Cause Your Brother to Stumble

(Ezekiel 14:1-11; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13)

13no longer, therefore, may we judge one another, but this judge ye rather, not to put a stumbling-stone before the brother, or an offence. 14I have known, and am persuaded, in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself, except to him who is reckoning anything to be unclean -- to that one it is unclean; 15and if through victuals thy brother is grieved, no more dost thou walk according to love; do not with thy victuals destroy that one for whom Christ died. 16Let not, then, your good be evil spoken of, 17for the reign of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit; 18for he who in these things is serving the Christ, is acceptable to God and approved of men. 19So, then, the things of peace may we pursue, and the things of building up one another; 20for the sake of victuals cast not down the work of God; all things, indeed, are pure, but evil is to the man who is eating through stumbling. 21Right it is not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything in which thy brother doth stumble, or is made to fall, or is weak. 22Thou hast faith! to thyself have it before God; happy is he who is not judging himself in what he doth approve, 23and he who is making a difference, if he may eat, hath been condemned, because it is not of faith; and all that is not of faith is sin.

Romans 14: Accepting One Another

¹ Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. ² One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. ³ The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.

⁴ Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Differences in Convictions

⁵ One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. ⁶ Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

⁷ For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. ⁸ If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

⁹ For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

Judging One Another

¹⁰ You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. ¹¹ It is written: “As surely as I live,” says the Lord, “every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.”

¹² So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

Do Not Cause Others to Stumble

¹³ Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put a stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. ¹⁴ I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.

¹⁵ If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.

¹⁶ Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. ¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, ¹⁸ because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

Pursuing Peace and Mutual Edification

¹⁹ Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. ²⁰ Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.

²¹ It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

Personal Convictions

²² So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. ²³ But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

Footnotes

14:1: Acceptance of believers with differing convictions fosters unity in the community of faith.

14:5: The emphasis on personal conviction acknowledges the diversity of beliefs among Christians.

14:7: Paul reminds the readers of their collective identity as belonging to the Lord, emphasizing accountability.

14:10: This highlights the seriousness of judging others, as everyone will answer to God.

14:14: Recognizing the personal nature of convictions respects individual conscience while maintaining community harmony.

14:17: Paul stresses the importance of love and joy over mere rules, framing Christian living in a positive light.

14:23: The focus on faith reinforces the idea that actions should align with one’s beliefs to avoid guilt or condemnation.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Romans 14?

2Introduction to Romans 14

3Context of Romans 14

4Ancient Key Word Study

5Compare & Contrast

6Romans 14 Unique Insights

7Romans 14 Connections to Yeshua

8Romans 14 Scriptural Echoes

9Romans 14 Devotional

10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Romans 14?

Introduction to Romans 14

Romans 14 stands as a masterful exposition on Christian liberty and mutual respect within the body of believers. The apostle Paul addresses a critical issue that threatened unity in the Roman church – how believers should handle disagreements over matters not explicitly commanded or forbidden in Scripture. This chapter provides timeless wisdom for navigating differences of conviction while maintaining both personal integrity and brotherly love.

The chapter’s significance lies in its practical application of gospel principles to everyday life, demonstrating how the transformative power of the Messiah’s work shapes not just our theology, but our relationships and decision-making processes. Paul’s teaching here remains remarkably relevant for contemporary believers facing similar challenges in their communities.

Context of Romans 14

Within the broader context of Romans, chapter 14 forms part of the practical application section (chapters 12-16) that follows Paul’s comprehensive exposition of gospel doctrine (chapters 1-11). After explaining the theological foundations of salvation by faith and the relationship between Israel and the Church, Paul now addresses specific issues facing the Roman congregation.

The immediate context reveals tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers over dietary laws and sacred days – matters deeply rooted in Jewish tradition but viewed differently by Gentile converts. This mirrors the larger narrative of the early Church grappling with questions of continuity and discontinuity between Old and New Covenant practices, as seen in Acts 15:1-29 and Galatians 2:11-14.

This chapter also connects to broader biblical themes of unity in diversity, the proper use of Christian freedom, and the supreme importance of love in the community of faith. It provides practical guidelines for maintaining unity without compromising conviction – a challenge that has faced God’s people throughout biblical history.

Ancient Key Word Study

Προσλαμβάνεσθε (Proslambánesthe) – “Accept/Welcome” (Romans 14:1): This imperative verb carries the connotation of actively taking someone to oneself, going beyond mere tolerance to genuine embrace. In the Septuagint, it often describes יהוה’s acceptance of His people, making it a theologically rich term emphasizing divine-like acceptance.
ἀσθενοῦντα (asthenounta) – “Weak” (Romans 14:1): Rather than indicating moral or spiritual deficiency, this term refers to one whose faith lacks the robustness to fully grasp their freedom in the Messiah. It’s the same word used for physical weakness, suggesting these believers need gentle care rather than condemnation.
διακρίσεις (diakríseis) – “Disputes/Judgments” (Romans 14:1): This term specifically refers to the act of making distinctions or discriminating between things. Paul uses it to warn against turning differences of opinion into occasions for division.
πληροφορείσθω (plérophoreísthō) – “Fully convinced” (Romans 14:5): This rare verb literally means “to be carried to fullness.” It describes complete certainty based on careful consideration, emphasizing the importance of personal conviction in matters of conscience.
φρονεῖ (phroneí) – “Regards/Minds” (Romans 14:6): This verb involves not just thinking but the entire orientation of one’s mind and life. It suggests that our practices should flow from a mindset focused on honoring the Lord.
σκάνδαλον (skándalon) – “Stumbling block” (Romans 14:13): Originally referring to the trigger of a trap, this word evolved to mean anything that causes someone to stumble spiritually. Its use here emphasizes our responsibility to avoid causing others to fall.
κοινόν (koinón) – “Unclean” (Romans 14:14): This term reflects the Jewish concept of ritual impurity (טָמֵא – tamei). Paul uses it to address Jewish dietary concerns while affirming that in the Messiah, no food is inherently unclean.
βασιλεία (basileía) – “Kingdom” (Romans 14:17): This term encompasses God’s reign and rule, emphasizing that kingdom priorities (righteousness, peace, and joy) supersede dietary and ceremonial concerns.

Compare & Contrast

Romans 14:1 uses προσλαμβάνεσθε (accept) rather than δέχομαι (receive) because it emphasizes active, welcoming acceptance rather than passive reception. This choice reflects the Messiah’s own active acceptance of us, as referenced in Romans 15:7.
The phrase “one person believes” in Romans 14:2 employs πιστεύω rather than νομίζω (think/suppose), emphasizing that these are matters of faith-based conviction rather than mere opinion.
In Romans 14:4, σταθήσεται (will be made to stand) is used instead of στήσεται (will stand), highlighting God’s active role in supporting His servants.
Romans 14:5‘s use of πληροφορείσθω (be fully convinced) rather than πιστευέτω (believe) emphasizes the need for thorough personal conviction rather than mere belief.
The choice of κρίνω (judge) over δοκιμάζω (examine) in Romans 14:13 emphasizes the condemning nature of the judgment Paul prohibits.
Romans 14:17 uses βρῶσις καὶ πόσις (eating and drinking) rather than τροφή (food) to emphasize the act rather than the substance, highlighting that the kingdom transcends such activities.
The use of πίστις (faith) in Romans 14:23 rather than συνείδησις (conscience) connects the principle to the broader themes of faith-based living in Romans.

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Romans 14 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several fascinating rabbinical parallels. The Talmudic principle of lifnei iver (placing a stumbling block before the blind) finds expression in Paul’s warning about causing others to stumble. This shows how Paul reframes Jewish ethical principles within a Messianic context.

The concept of “clean” and “unclean” foods reflects deeper issues than mere dietary preferences. In Jewish thought, the dietary laws (kashrut) were understood as a way of sanctifying the mundane act of eating. Paul acknowledges this spiritual intention while arguing that in the Messiah, holiness comes through faith rather than dietary observance.

Early church fathers like Chrysostom noted how this chapter prefigures later church conflicts over fasting practices. The principles Paul establishes here became crucial for maintaining unity amid diverse cultural expressions of faith throughout church history. Augustine particularly emphasized Paul’s teaching about not causing others to stumble as a foundational principle for Christian ethics.

The chapter also contains an interesting philosophical tension between individual conscience and communal responsibility. This reflects the Hebrew concept of kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh (all Israel is responsible for one another), showing how Paul maintains Jewish ethical frameworks while applying them to the new reality in the Messiah.

Romans 14 Connections to Yeshua

The Messiah’s lordship forms the theological foundation of this chapter. Paul grounds his teaching on Christian liberty in the fact that Yeshua is Lord of all believers, whether “weak” or “strong” (Romans 14:9). This echoes Yeshua’s own teaching about His lordship transcending human traditions and regulations (Mark 2:28).

The emphasis on not judging others reflects Yeshua’s teaching in Matthew 7:1-5. Just as Yeshua warned against judging others while having a beam in one’s own eye, Paul calls believers to focus on their own relationship with the Lord rather than judging others’ practices. The ultimate accountability of each person to God (Romans 14:12) points to Yeshua’s role as the righteous judge who will evaluate all our actions.

Romans 14 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with several key biblical themes and passages:

The tension between individual conscience and communal responsibility echoes the challenges faced by Israel in the wilderness, particularly regarding food (Numbers 11:4-6).

The emphasis on not causing others to stumble connects to Yeshua’s warnings about causing “little ones” to stumble (Matthew 18:6-7).

Paul’s teaching about clean and unclean foods recalls Peter’s vision in Acts 10:9-16, where God declares all foods clean.

The principle of acting from faith (Romans 14:23) connects to the broader biblical theme that “the righteous shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4).

Romans 14 Devotional

Romans 14 challenges us to examine our hearts regarding how we treat fellow believers who differ from us in non-essential matters. It calls us to ask ourselves: Do we truly accept others as the Messiah has accepted us? Are we more concerned with being right than with building up our brothers and sisters in faith?

The chapter reminds us that our freedom in the Messiah comes with responsibility. While we may be convinced of our liberty in certain areas, love might call us to limit that freedom for the sake of others. This requires wisdom, humility, and a genuine concern for others’ spiritual well-being.

Consider keeping a “conviction journal” this week. Write down areas where you hold strong convictions about disputable matters. Reflect on how you treat those who differ from you in these areas. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you might need to grow in acceptance and love while maintaining your personal convictions.

Did You Know

The “weak” and “strong” categories in Romans 14 likely reflected real groups in the Roman church, with Jewish believers tending to be more conservative about food and special days, while Gentile believers exercised more freedom in these areas.
The mention of special days (Romans 14:5) likely referred not just to Sabbath observance but to the entire Jewish calendar of festivals and fasts.
The term “unclean” (κοινόν) used in Romans 14:14 is the same word used in Acts 10:14 when Peter objects to eating unclean animals in his vision.
The principle of not causing others to stumble has roots in the Jewish concept of lifnei iver (placing a stumbling block before the blind), showing how Paul reframed Jewish ethical principles.
The Roman church likely included both wealthy and poor members, and dietary choices might have also reflected economic realities, not just religious convictions.
The emphasis on the kingdom being about “righteousness, peace, and joy” (Romans 14:17) echoes themes from the prophetic literature about the Messianic age.
The Greek word for “destroy” in Romans 14:15 (ἀπόλλυε) is the same word used for eternal destruction, emphasizing the serious nature of causing others to stumble.
Archaeological evidence from first-century Rome shows that the meat market (macellum) was often connected to pagan temples, explaining why some believers might have avoided meat altogether.
The principle of acting from faith (Romans 14:23) became a foundational concept in Protestant theology regarding conscience and Christian liberty.

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After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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