BUILD UP ONE ANOTHER
Key verse: 19
NIV
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment(A) on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.(B) 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.(C) But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.(D) 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love.(E) Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.(F) 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.(G) 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,(H) but of righteousness, peace(I) and joy in the Holy Spirit,(J) 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.(K)
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace(L) and to mutual edification.(M) 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.(N) All food is clean,(O) but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.(P) 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.(Q)
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn(R) himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts(S) is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.[a]
Footnotes
- Romans 14:23 Some manuscripts place 16:25-27 here; others after 15:33.
Cross references
- Romans 14:13 : ver 1; S Mt 7:1
- Romans 14:13 : S 2Co 6:3
- Romans 14:14 : ver 20; S Ac 10:15
- Romans 14:14 : 1Co 8:7
- Romans 14:15 : Eph 5:2
- Romans 14:15 : ver 20; 1Co 8:11
- Romans 14:16 : 1Co 10:30
- Romans 14:17 : 1Co 8:8
- Romans 14:17 : Isa 32:17
- Romans 14:17 : Ro 15:13; Gal 5:22
- Romans 14:18 : Lk 2:52; Ac 24:16; 2Co 8:21
- Romans 14:19 : Ps 34:14; Ro 12:18; 1Co 7:15; 2Ti 2:22; Heb 12:14
- Romans 14:19 : Ro 15:2; 1Co 14:3-5, 12, 17, 26; 2Co 12:19; Eph 4:12, 29
- Romans 14:20 : ver 15
- Romans 14:20 : ver 14; S Ac 10:15
- Romans 14:20 : ver 13; 1Co 8:9-12
- Romans 14:21 : S Mt 5:29
- Romans 14:22 : 1Jn 3:21
- Romans 14:23 : ver 5
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
Do Not Cause Another to Stumble
13 (A)Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide (B)never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus (C)that nothing is unclean in itself, (D)but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, (E)you are no longer walking in love. (F)By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 (G)So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 (H)For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but (I)of righteousness and (J)peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is (K)acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us (L)pursue what makes for peace and for (M)mutual upbuilding.
20 (N)Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. (O)Everything is indeed clean, but (P)it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 (Q)It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.[a] 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. (R)Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.[b]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Romans 14:21 Some manuscripts add or be hindered or be weakened
- Romans 14:23 Some manuscripts insert here 16:25–27
Cross references
- Romans 14:13 : See Matt. 7:1
- Romans 14:13 : [1 Cor. 8:13]
- Romans 14:14 : ver. 2, 20; See Acts 10:15
- Romans 14:14 : [1 Cor. 8:7, 10]
- Romans 14:15 : Eph. 5:2
- Romans 14:15 : 1 Cor. 8:11; [ver. 20]
- Romans 14:16 : [ch. 12:17; 1 Cor. 10:29, 30]
- Romans 14:17 : 1 Cor. 8:8
- Romans 14:17 : [1 Cor. 6:9]
- Romans 14:17 : Gal. 5:22; [ch. 15:13]
- Romans 14:18 : [2 Cor. 8:21]
- Romans 14:19 : Ps. 34:14; 1 Cor. 7:15; 2 Tim. 2:22
- Romans 14:19 : ch. 15:2; 1 Cor. 14:12
- Romans 14:20 : ver. 15
- Romans 14:20 : Titus 1:15; See ver. 14
- Romans 14:20 : 1 Cor. 8:9-12
- Romans 14:21 : 1 Cor. 8:13
- Romans 14:22 : 1 John 3:21
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Don't cause a brother to stumble (13-15)
Instead of criticizing others, we should make a decision not to put any stumbling block in their way. I must repent of my selfishness. Even though my conscience is clear, if other believers are offended or tempted by what I do, I should not do it. I have a right to eat anything or dress any way or go anywhere, but if what I do damages or destroys another's character or faith, I am not acting in love.
2. Please God (16-18)
The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking. It is a matter of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. I must not please my appetite; I must please God and bring joy and peace to fellow believers.
3. If you doubt, don't do it (19-23)
We must live by faith, please God, and build up others. Whatever does not come from faith is sin.
Prayer: Lord, help me to build up others and not tear them down by what I do or say.
One Word: Act in love and build up others