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Read Romans Chapter 14

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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.

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.

You are readingKing James Version

Explanation

Romans 14

In short

Paul addresses disagreements about food rules and special days among church members. He tells the stronger believers not to look down on those with stricter practices, and tells everyone to stop judging each other, because Christ is Lord of all and will judge everyone fairly.

What the text says

Verses 1-3 open with a command: receive members with scruples about diet, but do not argue with them about it. Some eat all foods, others eat only herbs. Those who eat should not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain should not judge those who eat, since God has accepted both.

Verses 4-6 ask who you are to judge someone else's servant. Each person stands or falls before the Lord, their own master. One person values certain days above others, another treats all days alike. Each should be convinced in their own mind. Whatever they do regarding food or days, they do it for the Lord and give thanks.

Verses 7-9 state a deeper principle: no one lives or dies to themselves. Whether living or dying, believers belong to the Lord. Christ died, rose, and came back to life so he could be Lord of both dead and living.

Verses 10-12 return to judgment: why judge your brother? All will stand before Christ's judgment seat and give account to God.

Verses 13-15 command believers to stop judging each other instead, judge that no one causes another to stumble. If your food grieves your brother, you are not acting with love. Do not destroy someone for whom Christ died with what you eat.

Verses 16-18 say do not let your freedom become evil spoken of. The kingdom of God is not about food and drink but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever serves Christ this way is acceptable to God.

Takeaways

  • Strong faith and weak scruples are both judged by Christ, not by other believers.
  • Love for others matters more than exercising personal freedom in food or customs.
  • Everything believers do, they do for the Lord, who will judge all fairly.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.