Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ, applying the mercy-shaped life of Romans 12-13 to tensions within the Roman church over conscience, food, days, judgment, and mutual acceptance.
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Romans 14
Receiving One Another, Honoring the Lord, and Pursuing Peace in Matters of Conscience
Because every believer belongs to the Lord and will answer to God, the church must receive one another in disputable matters, refuse contempt and judgment, limit liberty by love, pursue peace and edification, and act only from faith.
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Chapter Summary
Because every believer belongs to the Lord and will answer to God, the church must receive one another in disputable matters, refuse contempt and judgment, limit liberty by love, pursue peace and edification, and act only from faith.
Overview
Romans 14 argues that gospel liberty must never become loveless self-assertion and that tender conscience must never become judgmental control. Christ's lordship over life and death relativizes secondary disputes, God's acceptance forbids mutual contempt, the judgment seat forbids self-appointed judgment, Christ's death for the brother demands love, the kingdom reorders priorities, and faith before God governs conscience.
Context
The Roman believers, a mixed Jewish-Gentile church where differences over food, purity, days, and scruples could fracture fellowship if not governed by the lordship of Christ and love for one another.
Romans 14 follows Paul's teaching on transformed communal life, neighbor-love, and putting on Christ. It now addresses how believers should handle disputable matters without despising, judging, or destroying one another.
Because every believer belongs to the Lord and will answer to God, the church must receive one another in disputable matters, refuse contempt and judgment, limit liberty by love, pursue peace and edification, and act only from faith.
Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ, applying the mercy-shaped life of Romans 12-13 to tensions within the Roman church over conscience, food, days, judgment, and mutual acceptance.
The Roman believers, a mixed Jewish-Gentile church where differences over food, purity, days, and scruples could fracture fellowship if not governed by the lordship of Christ and love for one another.
Romans 14 follows Paul's teaching on transformed communal life, neighbor-love, and putting on Christ. It now addresses how believers should handle disputable matters without despising, judging, or destroying one another.
Social Pressure
- The Roman church likely included believers with different backgrounds regarding Jewish food laws, purity concerns, calendar observances, Gentile eating habits, and possible anxieties about idolatrous associations in the marketplace. These differences created opportunities for contempt from the strong and judgment from the weak.
Food, table fellowship, purity, sacred days, and association with idolatry were socially and religiously weighty issues in the first-century world. For Jewish believers, food and days could be tied to covenant identity and holiness. For Gentile believers, freedom from such restrictions could mark gospel liberty. Paul teaches both groups to live under Christ's lordship and in love.
Romans 14 shows how the gospel creates one Jew-Gentile people without requiring uniformity on every disputable practice. Christ's death and resurrection establish His lordship over living and dead, and this lordship governs conscience, freedom, restraint, acceptance, judgment, love, peace, and edification.
Chapter Movement
Paul moves from accepting the weak without quarrels, to forbidding contempt and judgment, to grounding conscience differences in living to the Lord, to the universal accountability of God's judgment seat, to the call not to place stumbling blocks before others, to love-limited liberty, to the kingdom priority of righteousness, peace, and joy, and finally to the necessity of acting from faith.
Discourse Insight
Theological exposition and fulfillment
Romans 14 clarifies that the gospel creates a community under Christ's lordship where believers are accepted by God, accountable to God, and obligated to love one another. Gospel freedom is real, but it is governed by the death of Christ for the brother, the kingdom's priorities, the pursuit of peace, and faith before God. The gospel frees believers from both legalistic judgment and self-centered liberty.
Structural Flow
The chapter begins with the imperative to accept the weak without making disputed matters the basis of quarrel.
Paul names a concrete issue: some eat everything, while others eat only vegetables; neither side may despise or judge the other.
Believers do not own one another; each stands before the Lord, who is able to make His servant stand.
Paul applies the same logic to sacred days, requiring full conviction and Lord-directed practice.
Christ's death and resurrection secure His lordship over believers in life and death.
Judgment and contempt are forbidden because each believer will answer to God.
Instead of judging one another, believers must judge this: never place an obstacle before another believer.
Even clean things must not be used in a way that wounds a conscience or harms someone for whom Christ died.
Eating and drinking are secondary to righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The church must actively pursue peace and building up, avoiding conduct that causes another to stumble.
Convictions must be lived before God, and doubtful action is sin because it is not from faith.
Chapter Outline
- 14:1-4: The church must receive weaker believers without quarreling over disputed matters, because God has accepted them and the Lord sustains them.
- 14:5-6: Differences over sacred days and eating must be handled as Lord-directed matters of conscience and thanksgiving.
- 14:7-9: Believers belong to the Lord in life and death because Christ died and returned to life to be Lord of both.
- 14:10-12: Judgment and contempt toward fellow believers are forbidden because each person will give account to God.
- 14:13-16: Liberty must be limited by love so that a believer does not grieve, wound, or destroy another believer through food.
- 14:17-18: The kingdom centers on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, not secondary food practices.
- 14:19-21: Believers must build one another up and refuse to tear down God's work for the sake of food or freedom.
- 14:22-23: Believers must act from faith and conscience before God, avoiding doubtful action that condemns the conscience.
Theological Argument
Romans 14 argues that gospel liberty must never become loveless self-assertion and that tender conscience must never become judgmental control. Christ's lordship over life and death relativizes secondary disputes, God's acceptance forbids mutual contempt, the judgment seat forbids self-appointed judgment, Christ's death for the brother demands love, the kingdom reorders priorities, and faith before God governs conscience.
The chapter moves from acceptance to lordship, from lordship to accountability, from accountability to love-limited liberty, from liberty to kingdom priority, from kingdom priority to peace and edification, and from edification to faith-bound conscience.
- 1.The weak in faith must be accepted without quarreling over disputed matters.
- 2.One believer may eat everything while another eats only vegetables.
- 3.The eater must not despise the abstainer.
- 4.The abstainer must not judge the eater.
- 5.God has accepted the believer whom others are tempted to judge or despise.
- 6.Believers are servants of another master, and the Lord is able to make them stand.
- 7.Some believers regard one day above another, while others regard every day alike.
- 8.Each believer must be fully convinced in his own mind.
- 9.Observing a day, eating, and abstaining must be done to the Lord with thanksgiving.
- 10.No believer lives or dies to himself.
- 11.Believers live to the Lord and die to the Lord.
- 12.Whether living or dying, believers belong to the Lord.
- 13.Christ died and returned to life to be Lord of the dead and the living.
- 14.Therefore believers must not judge or despise one another.
- 15.All believers will stand before God's judgment seat.
- 16.Each person will give account of himself to God.
- 17.Believers should stop judging one another and instead resolve not to place stumbling blocks before others.
- 18.Nothing is unclean in itself, yet conscience can regard something as unclean.
- 19.If eating grieves a brother, the eater is not walking in love.
- 20.A believer must not destroy someone for whom Christ died by his food.
- 21.What one regards as good must not be used so that it is spoken of as evil.
- 22.The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking.
- 23.The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
- 24.Serving Christ in this kingdom-shaped way pleases God.
- 25.Believers must pursue what leads to peace and mutual edification.
- 26.The work of God must not be destroyed for the sake of food.
- 27.All food is clean, but it is wrong to eat in a way that causes another to stumble.
- 28.It is better to refrain from meat, wine, or anything that causes a brother to fall.
- 29.Personal convictions about liberty should be held before God.
- 30.The person who does not condemn himself by what he approves is blessed.
- 31.The one who doubts is condemned if he eats because the action is not from faith.
- 32.Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Theological Focus
- Acceptance of believers
- Weak faith
- Disputable matters
- Conscience
- Food and days
- Contempt and judgment
- God's acceptance
- Christ's lordship
- Living to the Lord
- Dying to the Lord
- Christ's death and resurrection
- Judgment seat of God
- Personal accountability
- Stumbling blocks
- Love-limited liberty
- Conscience sensitivity
- One for whom Christ died
- Kingdom of God
- Righteousness, peace, and joy
- Holy Spirit
- Serving Christ
- Peace
- Mutual edification
- Work of God
- Faith-shaped action
- Sin against conscience
- Acceptance Without Quarrels
- The Weak and the Strong
- No Contempt, No Judgment
- God Has Accepted Him
- The Lord’s Servants
- Conscience Before the Lord
- Belonging to the Lord
- Christ Lord of Dead and Living
- Final Accountability
- Stumbling Blocks
- Love Over Liberty
- Christ Died for the Brother
- The Kingdom’s True Priorities
- Peace and Edification
- The Work of God
- Faith and Conscience
- Christian Liberty
- Lordship of Christ
- Death and Resurrection of Christ
- Acceptance by God
- Final Judgment
- Love
- Edification
- Unity of the Church
- Sin
Theological Themes
The church must receive believers whose consciences differ without making disputable matters into divisive battles.
Weakness in faith refers not to lack of salvation but to a conscience not yet able to exercise certain freedoms.
The strong are tempted to despise the weak, while the weak are tempted to judge the strong; Paul forbids both.
God's acceptance of a believer must govern how other believers receive Him.
Believers are servants of Christ, not masters over one another's consciences in disputable matters.
Eating, abstaining, and observing days must be done to the Lord with conviction and thanksgiving.
Believers do not live or die to themselves but belong to the Lord in life and death.
Christ died and returned to life so that He might be Lord over the dead and the living.
Every believer will stand before God's judgment seat and give account to God.
Christian liberty must not place obstacles before brothers or sisters.
Freedom is real, but love governs whether and how freedom should be exercised.
The value of a weaker believer is measured by Christ's death, not by the stronger believer's freedom.
The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Believers must actively pursue what builds up the church rather than what asserts personal freedom.
The church and its members are God's work, not to be torn down for secondary issues.
Conduct must proceed from faith; action against conscience is sin.
Covenant Significance
Romans 14 shows how the new covenant community handles inherited differences over food, days, purity, and conscience without dividing the one people of God. Jew and Gentile believers are not required to erase every background distinction immediately, nor are they permitted to judge or despise one another. Under Christ's lordship, the church prioritizes kingdom realities, love, peace, edification, and faith before God.
Old Testament Connections
- God's acceptance of believers establishes the church's obligation to receive one another.
- Food and day disputes are relativized under the lordship of Christ.
- The church is not governed by mutual suspicion but by life lived to the Lord.
- Christ's death and resurrection establish His lordship over living and dead.
- Each believer is accountable to God, which limits human judgment over conscience.
- Clean food may still be refused for the sake of a weaker conscience.
- The death of Christ for the brother or sister gives covenant weight to love-limited liberty.
- The kingdom of God is defined by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit rather than food boundaries.
- Mutual edification becomes a covenant obligation within the one body.
- Faith before God governs all conscience-bound practice.
- Leviticus 11:1-47
- Leviticus 19:18
- Deuteronomy 14:1-21
- Isaiah 45:23
- Isaiah 56:1-8
- Ezekiel 36:26-27
- Habakkuk 2:4
Canonical Connections
Romans 14 engages questions that naturally arise from Israel's food laws and the gospel's new covenant implications.
Paul applies the neighbor-love command to the exercise of freedom in disputed matters.
Romans 14 grounds daily conduct in the death, resurrection, and lordship of Christ.
Paul cites Isaiah to show universal accountability before God.
The Bible warns against causing others to stumble, especially through careless liberty.
Romans 14 parallels Paul's instruction in Corinthians on liberty, food, conscience, and love.
The kingdom's true character is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit rather than external food practices.
Paul consistently teaches that believers should pursue what builds up the body.
Conduct must proceed from faith before God, continuing Romans' emphasis on faith as the proper posture of life.
Romans 14 prepares for Romans 15's climactic command to accept one another as Christ accepted believers.
Cross References
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he doesn’t yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, the same...
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak. For if a man sees you who have knowledge sitting in an idol’s temple, won’t his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things...
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Shows Old Testament grounding that frames or supports this passage.
I have sworn by myself. The word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not be revoked, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.
Shows Old Testament grounding that frames or supports this passage.
Don’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.
Shows Old Testament grounding that frames or supports this passage.
Shows Old Testament grounding that frames or supports this passage.
Provides immediate literary context around the same argument flow.
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever...
Provides immediate literary context around the same argument flow.
Now accept one who is weak in faith, but not for disputes over opinions. One man has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Don’t let him who eats despise him who doesn’t eat. Don’t let him who doesn’t eat judge...
Provides immediate literary context around the same argument flow.
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. I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself;...
Provides immediate literary context around the same argument flow.
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up. For even Christ didn’t please himself. But, as it is...
Develops the same theological theme in another location.
For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.
Develops the same theological theme in another location.
each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
Develops the same theological theme in another location.
In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another;
Develops the same theological theme in another location.
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever...
Develops the same theological theme in another location.
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in...
Gospel Clarity
Romans 14 clarifies that the gospel creates a community under Christ's lordship where believers are accepted by God, accountable to God, and obligated to love one another. Gospel freedom is real, but it is governed by the death of Christ for the brother, the kingdom's priorities, the pursuit of peace, and faith before God. The gospel frees believers from both legalistic judgment and self-centered liberty.
Gospel Guardrails
- God has accepted believers with differing consciences.
- The strong must not despise the weak.
- The weak must not judge the strong.
- Each believer is the Lord's servant.
- The Lord is able to make His servant stand.
- Believers must be fully convinced before God.
- Eating, abstaining, and observing days can be done to the Lord with thanksgiving.
- No believer lives or dies to Himself.
- Believers belong to the Lord in life and death.
- Christ died and returned to life to be Lord of dead and living.
- All believers will stand before God's judgment seat.
- Each will give account to God.
- Liberty must not become a stumbling block.
- Love must govern the use of freedom.
- The brother or sister is one for whom Christ died.
- The kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
- Peace and mutual edification are to be pursued.
- God's work must not be destroyed for secondary matters.
- Conduct must proceed from faith.
- Do not use Romans 14 to excuse clear sin.
- Do not make disputable matters into gospel essentials.
- Do not let liberty become contempt for tender consciences.
- Do not let conscience become judgmental control over others.
- Do not forget that God has accepted the believer You are tempted to reject.
- Do not treat fellow believers as servants under Your mastery.
- Do not exercise freedom without love.
- Do not value food, drink, preference, or practice above someone for whom Christ died.
- Do not reduce the kingdom to external practices.
- Do not destroy God's work to prove Your point.
- Do not flaunt convictions that would be better kept before God.
- Do not act against conscience · whatever is not from faith is sin.
Gospel Cross References
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he doesn’t yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, the same...
But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak. For if a man sees you who have knowledge sitting in an idol’s temple, won’t his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things...
For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Primary Emphasis
Romans 14 presents Christ as the Lord before whom believers live, eat, abstain, observe, die, and stand. His death and resurrection secure His lordship over the dead and the living. His death for the weaker brother or sister determines the value of that believer and places limits on the exercise of liberty. Serving Christ in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit is pleasing to God.
The chapter therefore centers disputable matters not on personal preference but on the lordship, death, resurrection, and service of Christ.
Chapter Contribution
Romans 14 argues that gospel liberty must never become loveless self-assertion and that tender conscience must never become judgmental control. Christ's lordship over life and death relativizes secondary disputes, God's acceptance forbids mutual contempt, the judgment seat forbids self-appointed judgment, Christ's death for the brother demands love, the kingdom reorders priorities, and faith before God governs conscience.
Doctrines in This Chapter
Believers have freedom in non-essential matters within the bounds of faith.
Freedom is exercised under the higher law of love.
Believers must act according to faith-informed conviction.
Christian conduct aims at building up fellow believers.
Each person will stand before God’s judgment seat.
God’s reign prioritizes righteousness, peace, and joy.
Christ’s death and resurrection establish His authority over believers.
The church maintains unity despite differing convictions on secondary matters.
Doctrinal Weight
Believers may have freedom in disputable matters, but liberty must be governed by love and edification.
Conscience must be honored before God; acting against conscience is sin.
Believers live, die, eat, abstain, observe, and serve under the lordship of Christ.
Christ died and returned to life to be Lord of both the dead and the living.
God's acceptance of believers requires the church to receive them and not reject them over disputable matters.
All believers will stand before God's judgment seat and give account of themselves to God.
Love requires restraining liberty when its exercise would harm another believer.
The kingdom is not eating and drinking but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Kingdom life is marked by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Believers must pursue what builds up others rather than what merely asserts personal freedom.
The church's unity must not be destroyed by quarrels over secondary conscience matters.
Sin includes acting against faith and conscience, even in matters not unclean in themselves.
Reading Lenses
Theological exposition and fulfillment
- Romans 14 clarifies that the gospel creates a community under Christ's lordship where believers are accepted by God, accountable to God, and obligated to love one another. Gospel freedom is real, but it is governed by the death of Christ for the brother, the kingdom's priorities, the pursuit of peace, and faith before God. The gospel frees believers from both legalistic judgment and self-centered liberty.
Key Greek Terms
Sense to receive; accept; welcome into fellowship
Definition Believers are commanded to accept the one whose faith is weak.
References Romans 14:1
Lexicon to receive; accept; welcome into fellowship
Why it matters The chapter begins with reception as the governing posture toward weaker believers.
Form in passage Present · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense to be weak; lack strength; be limited in capacity
Definition The weak in faith have a conscience not able to exercise certain liberties.
References Romans 14:1-2
Lexicon to be weak; lack strength; be limited in capacity
Why it matters Weakness here refers to conscience restriction, not necessarily lack of genuine faith.
Form in passage Dative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense faith; trust; confidence before God
Definition The weak are weak in faith, and all conduct must proceed from faith.
References Romans 14:1, 14:22-23
Lexicon faith; trust; confidence before God
Why it matters Faith governs conscience, liberty, and action before God.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Feminine What is this?
Sense disputes; judgments; divisive evaluations
Definition Believers must not accept the weak merely to quarrel over opinions.
References Romans 14:1
Lexicon disputes; judgments; divisive evaluations
Why it matters Reception must not be a disguised form of argument or correction over secondary matters.
Form in passage Genitive · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense reasonings; opinions; disputable thoughts
Definition The issue concerns disputable matters rather than essential doctrine.
References Romans 14:1
Lexicon reasonings; opinions; disputable thoughts
Why it matters The scope of Romans 14 must be limited to matters not clearly commanded or forbidden by God.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to eat
Definition Some believers eat everything, while others abstain.
References Romans 14:2-3, 14:6, 14:20-21
Lexicon to eat
Why it matters Eating becomes the test case for liberty, conscience, and love.
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to despise; treat as nothing; look down on
Definition The one who eats must not despise the one who does not.
References Romans 14:3, 14:10
Lexicon to despise; treat as nothing; look down on
Why it matters The strong are especially tempted to contempt toward stricter consciences.
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to judge; condemn; evaluate judicially
Definition The one who abstains must not judge the one who eats.
References Romans 14:3-4, 14:10, 14:13
Lexicon to judge; condemn; evaluate judicially
Why it matters The weak are especially tempted to condemn the freedom of the strong.
Sense to receive; accept; welcome
Definition God has accepted the believer others are tempted to judge or despise.
References Romans 14:3
Lexicon to receive; accept; welcome
Why it matters God's acceptance is the decisive reason believers must accept one another.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense household servant; domestic servant
Definition Believers must not judge another's servant.
References Romans 14:4
Lexicon household servant; domestic servant
Why it matters Each believer belongs to the Lord as master, not to another believer's judgment.
Sense lord; master; owner
Definition To his own master the servant stands or falls.
References Romans 14:4, 14:6-9
Lexicon lord; master; owner
Why it matters Christ's lordship displaces human attempts to control another believer's conscience.
Individual words στήκεται / σταθήσεται stēketai / stathēsetai · στήκεται / σταθήσεται stēketai / stathēsetai
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to stand; remain; be upheld
Definition The Lord is able to make his servant stand.
References Romans 14:4
Lexicon to stand; remain; be upheld
Why it matters The standing of believers depends on the Lord's sustaining grace, not peer approval.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to be able; have power
Definition The Lord is able to make the believer stand.
References Romans 14:4
Lexicon to be able; have power
Why it matters God's ability sustains believers amid human disagreement.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to judge; consider; regard
Definition One person regards one day above another, while another regards every day alike.
References Romans 14:5
Lexicon to judge; consider; regard
Why it matters The same verb can refer to conscience evaluation rather than condemnation, depending on context.
Sense day; calendar day; sacred observance depending on context
Definition Believers differed over regarding certain days as special.
References Romans 14:5-6
Lexicon day; calendar day; sacred observance depending on context
Why it matters Calendar observance becomes another test case for conscience and lordship.
Form in passage Present · Passive · Imperative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to be fully convinced; be fully assured
Definition Each believer must be fully convinced in his own mind.
References Romans 14:5
Lexicon to be fully convinced; be fully assured
Why it matters Conscience-bound practice requires conviction before God rather than pressure or imitation.
Form in passage Dative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense mind; understanding; moral judgment
Definition Each must be fully convinced in his own mind.
References Romans 14:5
Lexicon mind; understanding; moral judgment
Why it matters Renewed moral reasoning is necessary in conscience matters.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to give thanks
Definition Both eating and abstaining can be done with thanksgiving to God.
References Romans 14:6
Lexicon to give thanks
Why it matters Thanksgiving shows that the practice is directed to God rather than self-display.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to live
Definition No believer lives to himself, but to the Lord.
References Romans 14:7-8
Lexicon to live
Why it matters The whole Christian life belongs under Christ's lordship.
Sense to die
Definition No believer dies to himself, but to the Lord.
References Romans 14:7-8
Lexicon to die
Why it matters Christ's lordship extends over both life and death.
Individual words βασιλεὺς τῶν βασιλευόντων καὶ κύριος τῶν κυριευόντων basileus tōn basileuontōn kai kyrios tōn kyrieuontōn · τίνι ὁμοία ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ tini homoia estin hē basileia tou theou
Sense we are the Lord's; belong to the Lord
Definition Whether believers live or die, they belong to the Lord.
References Romans 14:8
Lexicon we are the Lord's; belong to the Lord
Why it matters Christian identity is ownership by Christ, not autonomy or peer control.
Sense to die
Definition Christ died and returned to life to be Lord.
References Romans 14:9, 14:15
Lexicon to die
Why it matters The cross grounds Christ's lordship and the value of every believer.
Form in passage Present · Active · Participle · Plural What is this?
Sense to live; come to life
Definition Christ returned to life to be Lord of the dead and living.
References Romans 14:9
Lexicon to live; come to life
Why it matters The resurrection establishes Christ's living lordship over all believers.
Sense dead; dead ones
Definition Christ is Lord of both the dead and the living.
References Romans 14:9
Lexicon dead; dead ones
Why it matters Christ's lordship spans death itself and all who belong to Him.
Form in passage Dative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense judgment seat; tribunal
Definition All believers will stand before God's judgment seat.
References Romans 14:10
Lexicon judgment seat; tribunal
Why it matters Final accountability to God rebukes present arrogance in judging others.
Form in passage Future · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to bend; bow
Definition Every knee will bow before God.
References Romans 14:11
Lexicon to bend; bow
Why it matters Universal submission to God humbles all human judgment.
Form in passage Future · Middle · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to confess; acknowledge; praise
Definition Every tongue will acknowledge God.
References Romans 14:11
Lexicon to confess; acknowledge; praise
Why it matters Every person is accountable before God, not before another believer's tribunal.
Sense account; word; report
Definition Each person will give an account of himself to God.
References Romans 14:12
Lexicon account; word; report
Why it matters Personal accountability before God restrains judgment of others and careless liberty.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense stumbling block; obstacle causing offense or fall
Definition Believers must not place a stumbling block before a brother.
References Romans 14:13, 14:20
Lexicon stumbling block; obstacle causing offense or fall
Why it matters Liberty becomes sinfully destructive when it trips another believer's conscience.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense snare; offense; cause of stumbling
Definition Believers must not put an obstacle in a brother's way.
References Romans 14:13
Lexicon snare; offense; cause of stumbling
Why it matters Paul intensifies the warning against liberty that causes spiritual harm.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense common; unclean; defiled in ritual or conscience context
Definition Nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for one who regards it as unclean.
References Romans 14:14
Lexicon common; unclean; defiled in ritual or conscience context
Why it matters Paul affirms liberty while honoring conscience perception.
Form in passage Perfect · Passive · Indicative · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to be persuaded; convinced
Definition Paul is persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself.
References Romans 14:14
Lexicon to be persuaded; convinced
Why it matters Paul's liberty conviction is held in relation to the Lord Jesus, not mere preference.
Form in passage Present · Passive · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to grieve; distress; cause sorrow
Definition If a brother is grieved by one's eating, the eater is not walking in love.
References Romans 14:15
Lexicon to grieve; distress; cause sorrow
Why it matters The emotional and conscience harm of a brother matters more than asserting liberty.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense love; self-giving concern for another's good
Definition Believers must walk in love when exercising liberty.
References Romans 14:15
Lexicon love; self-giving concern for another's good
Why it matters Love is the controlling ethic over freedom in disputable matters.
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to destroy; ruin; bring harm
Definition A believer must not destroy by food someone for whom Christ died.
References Romans 14:15
Lexicon to destroy; ruin; bring harm
Why it matters Careless liberty can do destructive spiritual harm to another believer.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense good; beneficial; morally good
Definition What one regards as good must not be spoken of as evil.
References Romans 14:16
Lexicon good; beneficial; morally good
Why it matters Even good liberties can be misused in ways that damage witness and fellowship.
Sense kingdom; reign; royal rule
Definition The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
References Romans 14:17
Lexicon kingdom; reign; royal rule
Why it matters Kingdom priorities relativize secondary disputes and center Spirit-shaped life.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense righteousness; right conduct; right standing expressed in kingdom life
Definition The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
References Romans 14:17
Lexicon righteousness; right conduct; right standing expressed in kingdom life
Why it matters Kingdom life prioritizes righteousness over food disputes.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense peace; wholeness; harmony
Definition The kingdom is marked by peace, and believers must pursue what leads to peace.
References Romans 14:17, 14:19
Lexicon peace; wholeness; harmony
Why it matters Peace is a kingdom priority and practical pursuit in church life.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense joy; gladness
Definition The kingdom of God includes joy in the Holy Spirit.
References Romans 14:17
Lexicon joy; gladness
Why it matters The Spirit produces joy that secondary quarrels threaten to obscure.
Form in passage Dative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense Holy Spirit; the Spirit of God
Definition Kingdom life is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
References Romans 14:17
Lexicon Holy Spirit; the Spirit of God
Why it matters The Spirit shapes the church's true priorities beyond external disputes.
Form in passage Present · Active · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense to serve; serve as slave; devoted service
Definition The one who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God.
References Romans 14:18
Lexicon to serve; serve as slave; devoted service
Why it matters Kingdom-shaped conduct is service to Christ, not mere social compromise.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense pleasing; acceptable
Definition Serving Christ in righteousness, peace, and joy is pleasing to God.
References Romans 14:18
Lexicon pleasing; acceptable
Why it matters God is pleased when liberty disputes are governed by kingdom priorities.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense approved; tested and found acceptable
Definition The one who serves Christ this way receives human approval.
References Romans 14:18
Lexicon approved; tested and found acceptable
Why it matters Kingdom-shaped conduct commends the gospel before others.
Form in passage Present · Active · Subjunctive · 1st Person · Plural What is this?
Sense to pursue; seek earnestly; press after
Definition Believers must pursue what leads to peace and edification.
References Romans 14:19
Lexicon to pursue; seek earnestly; press after
Why it matters Peace does not happen passively; it must be actively sought.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense building up; edification; strengthening
Definition Believers must pursue mutual edification.
References Romans 14:19
Lexicon building up; edification; strengthening
Why it matters The goal is not self-expression but building up the body.
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to tear down; destroy; demolish
Definition Believers must not tear down the work of God for the sake of food.
References Romans 14:20
Lexicon to tear down; destroy; demolish
Why it matters Asserting freedom can become destructive to God's building work in the church.
Individual words πλουτεῖν ἐν ἔργοις καλοῖς ploutein en ergois kalois · βδέλυγμα ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ bdelygma enōpion tou theou
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense work of God; what God is building or doing
Definition The church and the brother's life are God's work, not to be destroyed for food.
References Romans 14:20
Lexicon work of God; what God is building or doing
Why it matters The believer's conduct must respect what God is forming in others.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense clean; pure
Definition All food is clean, but using it to cause stumbling is wrong.
References Romans 14:20
Lexicon clean; pure
Why it matters Paul affirms liberty while subordinating it to love and edification.
Sense to stumble; strike against; fall
Definition It is wrong to eat anything that causes another to stumble.
References Romans 14:20-21
Lexicon to stumble; strike against; fall
Why it matters Freedom must be restrained when it contributes to another believer's fall.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to approve after testing; discern as acceptable
Definition Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
References Romans 14:22
Lexicon to approve after testing; discern as acceptable
Why it matters Approving a liberty requires a clear conscience before God.
Form in passage Present · Middle · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense to doubt; waver; dispute within oneself
Definition The one who doubts is condemned if he eats.
References Romans 14:23
Lexicon to doubt; waver; dispute within oneself
Why it matters Acting with a divided conscience is spiritually dangerous.
Form in passage Perfect · Passive · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense to condemn; pronounce guilty
Definition The one who eats while doubting is condemned because it is not from faith.
References Romans 14:23
Lexicon to condemn; pronounce guilty
Why it matters Conscience violation brings guilt even where the object itself may be clean.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense sin; falling short; rebellion against God
Definition Whatever is not from faith is sin.
References Romans 14:23
Lexicon sin; falling short; rebellion against God
Why it matters Paul's final principle makes faith before God essential in conscience-bound conduct.
Lexicon data: MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML (CC0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (CC BY 4.0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon (CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible Data (CC BY 4.0) · Full details
Discourse Connectives (42)
grounds / explanation 12inference / conclusion 5strong contrast / correction 3purpose clause 1conditional (subjunctive / open) 7content marker or causal 3continuation or mild contrast 8contrast setup (μέν...δέ) 3
| v.1 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.2 | μὲνindeedcontrast setup (μέν...δέ)The μέν...δέ pair is a rhetorical hinge. Both sides matter equally.δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.3 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.4 | δέ,however,continuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.5 | μὲνindeedcontrast setup (μέν...δέ)The μέν...δέ pair is a rhetorical hinge. Both sides matter equally.γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point.δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.6 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.7 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.8 | ἐάνIfconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...'γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point.ἐάνifconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...'ἐάνIfconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...'οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff.ἐάνifconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...' |
| v.9 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point.ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
| v.10 | δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.11 | γάρ·for:grounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point.ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.12 | οὖνtheninference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff. |
| v.13 | οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff.ἀλλὰbutstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.14 | ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.εἰonlyconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical. |
| v.15 | εἰIfconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical.γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.16 | οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff. |
| v.17 | γάρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point.ἀλλὰbutstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.18 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.19 | οὖνtheninference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff. |
| v.20 | μὲνindeed [are]contrast setup (μέν...δέ)The μέν...δέ pair is a rhetorical hinge. Both sides matter equally.ἀλλὰbutstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.23 | δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.ἐὰνifconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...'ὅτιbecause [it is]content marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason.δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
Discourse data: STEPBible TAGNT (CC BY 4.0)
Verb Aspect (72 main verbs)
completed 2ongoing 25prospective 5resultant 2imperative 9subjunctive 8infinitive 5participle 16
| v.1 | ἀσθενοῦνταweakpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionπροσλαμβάνεσθεproslambánōacceptpresent middle imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.2 | πιστεύειpisteúōbelievespresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthφαγεῖνphágōeataorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbἀσθενῶνweakpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐσθίειesthíōeatspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.3 | ἐσθίωνesthíōeatspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐσθίονταesthíōeatpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐξουθενείτωexouthenéōdespisepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἐσθίωνesthíōeatpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐσθίονταesthíōeatspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκρινέτωkrínōjudgepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationπροσελάβετοproslambánōacceptedaorist middle indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.4 | κρίνωνkrínōjudgepresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionσταθήσεταιhístēmistandfuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionδυνατεῖdynatéōablepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthστῆσαιhístēmimake ~ standaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.5 | κρίνειkrínōesteemspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthκρίνειkrínōregardspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthπληροφορείσθωplērophoréōfully convincedpresent passive imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.6 | φρονῶνphronéōobservespresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionφρονεῖphronéōobservespresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἐσθίωνesthíōeatspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐσθίειesthíōeatspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthεὐχαριστεῖeucharistéōgives thankspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἐσθίωνesthíōeatpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐσθίειesthíōeatpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthεὐχαριστεῖeucharistéōgives thankspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.7 | ζῇzáōlivespresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀποθνῄσκειdiespresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.8 | ζῶμενzáōlivepresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentζῶμενzáōlivepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀποθνῄσκωμενdiepresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἀποθνῄσκομενdiepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthζῶμενzáōlivepresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentἀποθνῄσκωμενdiepresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.9 | ζώντωνzáōlivingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκυριεύσῃkyrieúōbe Lordaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.10 | κρίνειςkrínōjudgepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἐξουθενεῖςexouthenéōdespisepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthπαραστησόμεθαparístēmistand beforefuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.11 | γέγραπταιgráphōwrittenperfect passive indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultΖῶzáōlivepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthλέγειlégōsayspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthκάμψειkámptōbowfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἐξομολογήσεταιexomologéōconfessfuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.12 | δώσειdídōmigivefuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.13 | κρίνωμενkrínōpass judgment onpresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentκρίνατεkrínōdecideaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationτιθέναιtíthēmiputpresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.14 | λογιζομένῳlogízomaiconsiderspresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.15 | λυπεῖταιlypéōgrievedpresent passive indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthπεριπατεῖςperipatéōwalkingpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀπόλλυεdestroypresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἀπέθανενdiedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.16 | βλασφημείσθωspoken of as evilpresent passive imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.18 | δουλεύωνdouleúōservespresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.19 | διώκωμενdiṓkōpursuepresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.20 | κατάλυεkatalýōdestroypresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἐσθίοντιesthíōeatspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.21 | φαγεῖνphágōeataorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbπιεῖνpínōdrinkaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbπροσκόπτειproskóptōstumblespresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthσκανδαλίζεταιskandalízōis caused to sinpresent passive indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀσθενεῖbecomes weak.present active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.22 | ἔχειςéchōhavepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἔχεéchōhavepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationκρίνωνkrínōcondemnpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionδοκιμάζειdokimázōapprovespresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.23 | διακρινόμενοςdiakrínōdoubtspresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionφάγῃphágōeatsaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentκατακέκριταιkatakrínōcondemnedperfect passive indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present result |
Verb forms indicate aspect — not interpretive weight. Consult context before drawing conclusions about emphasis.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain
Formation Focus
To show that Christ's lordship, God's acceptance, the judgment seat, and the value of the brother for whom Christ died must govern the church's handling of disputable matters.
To form a church that refuses contempt, judgment, quarrels, reckless liberty, legalistic control, and conscience violation, while pursuing love, peace, edification, and faith.
Humility, charity, conscience sensitivity, restraint, gratitude, kingdom priority, peace-making, edification, and faith-shaped obedience.
Practice Response
- Identify current issues You treat as fellowship tests though Scripture leaves room for conscience.
- Ask whether You are more tempted toward despising the strict or judging the free.
- Pray for someone whose conscience differs from Yours and thank God that Christ is their Lord.
- Before speaking about a disputed matter, ask whether Your words will build up or provoke quarrels.
- Practice saying, 'He is Christ's servant, not mine.'
- Hold Your conviction before the Lord with thanksgiving rather than pride.
- Ask whether Your liberty could grieve or confuse a weaker believer.
- Limit a freedom this week for the sake of love and peace.
- Prioritize righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit in one church disagreement.
- Choose one action that will build up another believer rather than merely express Your preference.
- Keep a private liberty private if public display would not edify.
- Do not act on a practice if Your conscience remains doubtful.
- End the day by asking: Did I act from faith, love, and the lordship of Christ?
Warnings and Misreadings
- Romans 14 warns against quarreling over disputable matters, despising weaker believers, judging stronger believers, usurping Christ's lordship over another servant, placing stumbling blocks before others, grieving or destroying one for whom Christ died, tearing down God's work for food, and acting against conscience rather than from faith.
- Romans 14 means doctrine does not matter. - Romans 14 concerns disputable matters, not core gospel truth or clear moral commands. Paul does not relativize the gospel, holiness, or obedience.
- The weak in faith are unbelievers. - Paul treats the weak as believers accepted by God and belonging to the Lord, but with restricted conscience regarding certain practices.
- The strong may ignore the weak because their theology is technically correct. - Paul says that even where liberty is correct, love must govern its exercise so that the brother for whom Christ died is not harmed.
- The weak may bind everyone's conscience by their scruples. - Paul forbids the weak from judging the one who eats and grounds acceptance in God's acceptance.
- Being fully convinced means personal preference is always right. - Full conviction must be before the Lord, with thanksgiving, faith, love, and concern for edification.
- Nothing is unclean means conscience does not matter. - Paul says nothing is unclean in itself, but if someone regards it as unclean, it is unclean for that person.
- Christian liberty is the highest kingdom priority. - Paul says the kingdom is not eating and drinking but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
- Peace means avoiding all disagreement. - Peace in Romans 14 means refusing destructive quarrels and pursuing edification, not pretending convictions do not exist.
- Whatever is not from faith is sin means every uncertain decision is automatically sinful in every category. - In context, Paul refers to acting against conscience in disputable matters. A believer must not do what He cannot do before God in faith.
- Romans 14 permits sinful practices if someone has faith to do them. - The passage concerns matters Paul can call clean in themselves. It does not permit what Scripture plainly calls sin.
Discipleship Questions
- Am I accepting believers whom God has accepted, or making my preferences a gate of fellowship?
- Do I know the difference between a disputable matter and a clear command of God?
- Where am I tempted to despise someone with a stricter conscience?
- Where am I tempted to judge someone who exercises freedom I do not yet share?
- Am I treating another believer like my servant rather than Christ's servant?
- Can I practice this conviction to the Lord with thanksgiving?
- Am I fully convinced before God, or merely pressured by a group?
- How does belonging to the Lord in life and death reshape my handling of disagreements?
- Does the judgment seat of God make me slower to judge others?
- Could my liberty become a stumbling block to a brother or sister?
- Am I walking in love if my action grieves or wounds another believer's conscience?
- Do I value my freedom more than someone for whom Christ died?
- Am I prioritizing the kingdom's righteousness, peace, and joy over eating, drinking, and preferences?
- Does my conduct build up God's work or tear it down?
- What would pursuing peace and edification require from me this week?
- Am I flaunting liberty that should be kept before God?
- Am I about to do something with doubts that would violate my conscience?
- Can I honestly say this action proceeds from faith?
Pastoral Applications
- Romans 14 is essential for helping churches distinguish between gospel essentials, moral commands, wisdom issues, and conscience-bound disputable matters.
- Believers must be taught that liberty is real but never loveless, and conscience is important but never a license to judge others.
- Those with tender consciences need patience and instruction, while those with broad liberty need humility and restraint.
- Many church conflicts escalate because believers treat preferences as tests of faithfulness. Romans 14 calls for acceptance, humility, and edification.
- Romans 14 must be preached carefully so that it does not flatten doctrine or weaponize liberty. The governing center is Christ's lordship and love for the brother.
- Church leaders should protect the flock from both legalistic judgment and reckless liberty, keeping the focus on kingdom priorities.
- Table fellowship, social practices, and conscience differences should become opportunities for love rather than tests of superiority.
- A practice may be permissible in itself yet wrong in a particular circumstance if it causes another to stumble.
- Mature believers learn to ask not merely, 'May I do this?' but 'Will this build up? Will this harm? Can I do this in faith?'
- Eating, abstaining, observing, and ordinary choices become worship when done to the Lord with thanksgiving and faith.
Pastoral Trajectories
Paul moves believers away from disputes over secondary matters toward receiving one another under God's acceptance.
The strong must stop despising, and the weak must stop judging, because both stand before the Lord.
Food and days are reframed as matters to be practiced or avoided to the Lord.
Believers do not live or die for themselves; they belong to Christ.
The judgment seat of God humbles believers who are tempted to judge one another.
Freedom must bend toward love when another believer's conscience may be harmed.
The kingdom is not reduced to eating and drinking but centers on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Paul prioritizes mutual edification over proving one's freedom.
Some convictions should be kept before God rather than used to pressure or provoke others.
Believers must not act against conscience, because whatever is not from faith is sin.
Motifs in This Chapter
Study holiness as divine character, covenant identity, and sanctified life across Scripture.
Track judgment as covenant accountability, divine justice, and eschatological reckoning.
Study kingdom reign, divine rule, and gospel kingdom proclamation across Scripture.
Trace servant identity, obedient mission, and suffering service across Scripture.
The Biblical World
Chapter At A Glance
Paul moves from accepting the weak without quarrels, to forbidding contempt and judgment, to grounding conscience differences in living to the Lord, to the universal accountability of God's judgment seat, to the call not to place stumbling blocks before others, to love-limited liberty, to the kingdom priority of righteousness, peace, and joy, and finally to the necessity of acting from faith.
Romans 14 shows how the new covenant community handles inherited differences over food, days, purity, and conscience without dividing the one people of God. Jew and Gentile believers are not required to erase every background distinction immediately, nor are they permitted to judge or despise one another. Under Christ's lordship, the church prioritizes kingdom realities, love, peace, edification, and faith before God.
Romans 14 clarifies that the gospel creates a community under Christ's lordship where believers are accepted by God, accountable to God, and obligated to love one another. Gospel freedom is real, but it is governed by the death of Christ for the brother, the kingdom's priorities, the pursuit of peace, and faith before God. The gospel frees believers from both legalistic judgment and self-centered liberty.
Humility, charity, conscience sensitivity, restraint, gratitude, kingdom priority, peace-making, edification, and faith-shaped obedience.
Focus Points
- Acceptance of believers
- Weak faith
- Disputable matters
- Conscience
- Food and days
- Contempt and judgment
- God's acceptance
- Christ's lordship
- Living to the Lord
- Dying to the Lord
- Christ's death and resurrection
- Judgment seat of God
- Personal accountability
- Stumbling blocks
- Love-limited liberty
- Conscience sensitivity
- One for whom Christ died
- Kingdom of God
- Righteousness, peace, and joy
- Holy Spirit
- Serving Christ
- Peace
- Mutual edification
- Work of God
- Faith-shaped action
- Sin against conscience
- Acceptance Without Quarrels
- The Weak and the Strong
- No Contempt, No Judgment
- God Has Accepted Him
- The Lord’s Servants
- Conscience Before the Lord
- Belonging to the Lord
- Christ Lord of Dead and Living
- Final Accountability
- Love Over Liberty
- Christ Died for the Brother
- The Kingdom’s True Priorities
- Peace and Edification
- The Work of God
- Faith and Conscience
- Christian Liberty
- Lordship of Christ
- Death and Resurrection of Christ
- Acceptance by God
- Final Judgment
- Love
- Edification
- Unity of the Church
- Sin
Cross References
Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘These are the living things which You may eat among all the animals that are on the earth. Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and chews the cud among the animals, that You may eat.
Food law background
“ ‘You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind; but You shall fear Your God. I am Yahweh.
Stumbling block concern
“ ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of Your people; but You shall love Your neighbor as Yourself. I am Yahweh.
Love governing conduct
You are the children of Yahweh Your God. You shall not cut Yourselves, nor make any baldness between Your eyes for the dead. For You are a holy people to Yahweh Your God, and Yahweh has chosen You to be a people for His own possession, above all peoples who are on the face of the earth. You shall not eat any abominable thing.
Food distinction background
I have sworn by myself. The word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not be revoked, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.
Universal bowing before God
Yahweh says, “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is near and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps His hand from doing any evil.” Let no foreigner who has joined Himself to Yahweh speak, saying, “Yahweh will...
Gentiles and worship
Behold, His soul is puffed up. It is not upright in Him, but the righteous will live by His faith.
Faith principle
He said to them, “Are You also without understanding? Don’t You perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can’t defile Him, because it doesn’t go into His heart, but into His stomach, then into the latrine, making all foods clean?” He said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man.
Food and cleanness
Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon. He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, He fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to Him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,
Clean and unclean vision
In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another;
Mutual honor
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for He who loves His neighbor has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love Your neighbor as Yourself.”...
Love fulfills the law
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please His neighbor for that which is good, to be building Him up. For even Christ didn’t please Himself. But, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on me.”
Continuation of weak-strong instruction
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. But if anyone thinks that He knows anything, He doesn’t yet know as He ought to know. But if anyone loves God, the same is known by Him.
Liberty and conscience
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek His own, but each one His neighbor’s good. Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience,
All things lawful but not all edify
For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive the things in the body according to what He has done, whether good or bad.
Judgment seat
For the love of Christ constrains us; because we judge thus, that one died for all, therefore all died. He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to themselves, but to Him who for their sakes died and rose again.
Living for Christ
For You, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use Your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love Your neighbor as Yourself.”
Freedom serving through love
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of Your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Edification
According to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Life and death for Christ
Therefore God also highly exalted Him, and gave to Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Every knee bowing to Christ
Passages
Chapter opening: Romans 14:1-12
Him that is weak (τον ασθενουντα). See on 1Co 8:7-12 ; 9:22 ; Ro 4:19 . Receive ye (προσλαμβανεσθε). Present middle imperative (indirect), "take to yourselves." Yet not to doubtful disputations (μη εις διακρισεις διαλογισμων). "Not for decisions of opinions." Note δια (between, two or δυο) in both words. Discriminations between doubts or hesitations. For διακρισις, see 1Co 12:10 ; Heb 5:14 (only N.
T. examples). For διαλογισμος see Lu 2:35 ; 24:38 ; Php 2:14 . The "strong" brother is not called upon to settle all the scruples of the "weak" brother. But each takes it on himself to do it.
One man (ος μεν). "This one," demonstrative pronoun ος with μεν. Hath faith (πιστευε). Like εχε πιστιν ( Ac 14:9 ). But he that is weak (ο δε ασθενων). One would expect ος δε (but that one) in contrast with ος μεν. Hο is demonstrative with δε sometimes, but here is probably just the article with ασθενων. Herbs (λαχανα). From λαχανω, to dig. Hence garden herbs or vegetables. Denney feels certain that Paul has in mind a party of vegetarians in Rome.
Set at nought (εξουθενειτω). Present active imperative of εξουθενεω, to treat as nothing and so with contempt ( Lu 23:11 ; 1Th 5:20 ). Judge (κρινετω). Present active imperative of κρινω, criticize. One side (the meat-eaters) despises the vegetarians, while the vegetarians criticize the meat-eaters. Received him (αυτον προσελαβετο). Aorist middle (indirect) of προσλαμβανω, same verb used in verse 1 . God took both sides into his fellowship without requiring that they be vegetarians or meat-eaters.
Who art thou? (συ τις ει?). Proleptic position of συ, "thou who art thou?" The servant of another (αλλοτριον οικετην). Not another (αλλον) servant (household servant, οικετην), but "another's servant." For the adjective αλλοτριος, see Lu 16:12 ; 2Co 10:15 f . Shall be made to stand (σταθησετα). Future passive of ιστημ. In spite of your sharp criticisms of one another. Hath power (δυνατε). Verb found only in Paul ( 2Co 9:8 ; 13:3 ; Ro 14:4 ), from verbal adjective δυνατος.
another (ος δε). Regular idiom of contrasted demonstratives (this one, that one). One day above another (ημεραν παρ' ημεραν). "Day beyond day." For this use of παρα (beside) in comparison see 1:25 ; Lu 13:2 . Be fully assured (πληροφορεισθω). Present passive imperative of πληροφορεω, late compound verb for which see on Lu 1:1 ; Ro 4:21 . In his own mind (εν τω ιδιω νο). Intelligent and honest decision according to the light possessed by each.
Regardeth (φρονε). "Thinks of," "esteems," "observes," "puts his mind on" (from φρην, mind). The Textus Receptus has also "he that regardeth not," but it is not genuine. Unto the Lord (κυριω). Dative case. So as to τω θεω (unto God). He eats unto the Lord, he eats not unto the Lord. Paul's principle of freedom in non-essentials is most important. The Jewish Christians still observed the Seventh day (the Sabbath).
The Gentile Christians were observing the first day of the week in honour of Christ's Resurrection on that day. Paul pleads for liberty.
To himself (εαυτω). Dative of advantage again. But to the Lord as he shows in verse 8 . Life and death focus in the Lord.
Whether--or (εαν τε--εαν τε). "Both if--and if" (condition of third class with present subjunctive (ζωμεν--αποθνησκωμεν). Both living and dying are "to the Lord." Paul repeats the idiom (εαν τε--εαν τε) with the conclusion "we are the Lord's (του κυριου εσμεν). Predicate genitive, "we belong to the Lord."
And lived again (κα εζησεν). First ingressive aorist active indicative of ζαω, "he came to life." Might be lord of (κυριευσε). Ingressive aorist active subjunctive of κυριευω, "become Lord of." Purpose clause with ινα (that). Old verb from κυριος, lord. See Lu 22:25 ; Ro 6:9 .
But thou, why dost thou judge? (συ δε τ συ κρινεισ?). Referring to the conduct of the "weak" brother in verse 3 . Or thou again (η κα συ). Referring to the "strong" brother. Shall stand before (παραστησομεθα). Future middle of παριστημ and intransitive, to stand beside (παρα) with the locative case (τω βεματ, the judgment seat) as in Ac 27:24 . See the same figure of God in 2Co 5:10 .
As I live (ζω εγω). "I live." The LXX here ( Isa 45:23 ) has κατ' εμαυτου ομννυω, "I swear by myself." Shall confess to God (εξομολογησετα τω θεω). Future middle of εξομολογεω, to confess openly (εξ) with the accusative as in Mt 3:6 . With the dative as here the idea is to give praise to, to give gratitude to ( Mt 11:25 ).
Shall give account (λογον δωσε). So Aleph A C rather than αποδωσε of Textus Receptus. Common use of λογος for account (bookkeeping, ledger) as in Lu 16:2 .
Let us not therefore judge one another any more (μηκετ ουν αλληλους κρινωμεν). Present active subjunctive (volitive). "Let us no longer have the habit of criticizing one another." A wonderfully fine text for modern Christians and in harmony with what the Master said ( Mt 7:1 ). That no man put a stumbling block in his brother's way or an occasion of falling (το μη τιθενα προσκομμα τω αδελφω η σκανδαλον).
Articular present active infinitive of τιθημ in apposition with τουτο, accusative case after κρινατε: "Judge this rather, the not putting a stumbling block (see 9:32 for προσκομμα) or a trap (σκανδαλον, 9:33 ) for his brother" (αδελφω, dative of disadvantage).
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus (οιδα κα πεπεισμα εν κυριω Ιησου). He knows it and stands persuaded (perfect passive indicative of πειθω, to persuade), but in the sphere of the Lord Jesus (cf. 9:1 ), not by mere rational processes. Unclean of itself (καινον δι' εαυτου). So Paul takes his stand with the "strong" as in 1Co 8:4 f. , but he is not a libertine.
Paul's liberty as to food is regulated by his life in the Lord. For this use of κοινος, not as common to all ( Ac 2:44 ; 4:32 ), but unhallowed, impure, see on Mr 7:2 , 5 ; Ac 10:14 , 28 . God made all things for their own uses. Save that (ε μη). The exception lies not in the nature of the food (δι' εαυτου), but in the man's view of it (to him, εκεινω, dative case).
Because of meat (δια βρωμα). "Because of food." In love (κατα αγαπην). "According to love" as the regulating principle of life. See 1Co 8 where Paul pleads for love in place of knowledge on this point. Destroy not (μη απολλυε). Present active imperative of απολλυω, the very argument made in 1Co 8:10 f . With thy meat (τω βρωματ σου). Instrumental case, "with thy food." It is too great a price to pay for personal liberty as to food.
Your good (υμων το αγαθον). "The good thing of you" = the liberty or Christian freedom which you claim. Be evil spoken of (βλασφημεισθω). Present passive imperative of βλασφημεω for which see Mt 9:3 ; Ro 3:8 .
The kingdom of God (η βασιλεια του θεου). Not the future kingdom of eschatology, but the present spiritual kingdom, the reign of God in the heart, of which Jesus spoke so often. See 1Co 4:21 . Paul scores heavily here, for it is not found in externals like food and drink, but in spiritual qualities and graces.
Herein (εν τουτω). "On the principle implied by these virtues" (Sanday and Headlam). Approved of men (δοκιμος τοις ανθρωποις). "Acceptable to men." Stands the test for men. See 1Co 11:19 ; 2Co 10:18 ; 2Ti 2:15 .
So then (αρα ουν). Two inferential particles, "accordingly therefore." Let us follow after (διωκωμεν). Present active subjunctive (volitive). "Let us pursue." Some MSS. have present indicative, "we pursue." The things which make for peace (τα της ειρηνης). "The things of peace," literally, genitive case. So "the things of edification for one another" (τα της οικοδομης της εις αλληλους).
Overthrow not (μη καταλυε). "Destroy not," "do not loosen down" (carrying on the metaphor in οικοδομη, building). The work of God (το εργον του θεου). The brother for whom Christ died, verse 15 . Perhaps with a side-glance at Esau and his mess of pottage. But it is evil (αλλα κακον). Paul changes from the plural κοινα to the singular κακον. With offence (δια προσκομματος).
"With a stumbling-block" as in verse 13 . This use of δια (accompaniment) is common. So then it is addressed to the "strong" brother not to cause a stumbling-block by the way he eats and exercises his freedom.
Not to eat (το μη φαγειν). "The not eating." Articular infinitive (second aorist active of εσθιω) and subject of καλον εστιν (copula, understood). Flesh (κρεας). Old word, in N.T. only here and 1Co 8:13 . To drink (πειν). Shortened form for πιειν (second aorist active infinitive of πινω). Whereby (εν ω). "On which thy brother stumbleth" (προσκοπτε).
Have thou to thyself before God (συ--κατα σεαυτον εχε ενωπιον του θεου). Very emphatic position of συ at the beginning of the sentence, "Thou there." The old MSS. put ην (relative "which") after πιστιν and before εχεις. This principle applies to both the "strong" and the "weak." He is within his rights to act "according to thyself," but it must be "before God" and with due regard to the rights of the other brethren.
In that which he approveth (εν ο δοκιμαζε). This beatitude cuts both ways. After testing and then approving ( 1:28 ; 2:18 ) one takes his stand which very act may condemn himself by what he says or does. "It is a rare felicity to have a conscience untroubled by scruples" (Denney).
He that doubteth (ο διακρινομενος). Present middle participle of διακρινω, to judge between (δια), to hesitate. See Jas 1:6 f. for this same picture of the double-minded man. Cf. Ro 4:20 ; Mr 11:23 . Is condemned (κατακεκριτα). Perfect passive indicative of κατακρινω (note κατα-), "stands condemned." If he eat (εαν φαγη). Third class condition, εαν and second aorist active subjunctive.
If in spite of his doubt, he eat. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin (παν ο ουκ εκ πιστεως αμαρτια εστιν). Faith (πιστις) here is subjective, one's strong conviction in the light of his relation to Christ and his enlightened conscience. To go against this combination is sin beyond a doubt. Some MSS. (A L etc.) put the doxology here which most place in 16:25-27 .
But they all give chapters 15 and 16. Some have supposed that the Epistle originally ended here, but that is pure speculation. Some even suggest two editions of the Epistle. But chapter 15 goes right on with the topic discussed in chapter 14.