Romans 14

Do Not Pass Judgment on One Another

1 Receive a one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he b may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and c let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 d Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

5 e One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who f observes the day, observes it to the Lord; 1 and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for g he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For h none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we i live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For j to this end Christ died 2 and rose and lived again, that He might be k Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For l we shall all stand before the judgment seat of 3 Christ.

11 For it is written:
m " As I live, says the LORD,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God." 4

12 So then n each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Do Not Cause Another to Stumble

13 Therefore let us not judge one another 5 anymore, but rather resolve this, o not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. 14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus p that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. q Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 r Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 s for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and t peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in 6 these things u is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 v Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which w one may 7 edify another.

20 x Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. y All things indeed are pure, z but it is evil for the man who eats with 8 offense. 21 It is good neither to eat a meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles 9 or is offended or is made weak. 22 10 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. b Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for c whatever is not from faith is 11 sin.

  1. Cross References
    Romans 14:2
    For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.
    Romans 15:1
    We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
    1 Corinthians 8:9
    But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.
    1 Corinthians 9:22
    To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
  2. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 10:25
    Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake.
    Titus 1:15
    To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
  3. Cross References
    Romans 14:10
    But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
    Romans 14:13
    Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.
    Colossians 2:16
    So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths.
  4. Cross References
    Romans 9:20
    But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?
    James 4:11
    Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
    James 4:12
    There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
  5. Cross References
    Galatians 4:10
    You observe days and months and seasons and years.
  6. Cross References
    Galatians 4:10
    You observe days and months and seasons and years.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 14:19
    Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.
    Matthew 15:36
    And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude.
    1 Corinthians 10:31
    Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
    1 Timothy 4:3
    Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
  8. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 6:19
    Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
    Galatians 2:20
    I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
    1 Thessalonians 5:10
    Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
    1 Peter 4:2
    That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
  9. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:14
    For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died.
    2 Corinthians 5:15
    And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
  10. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:15
    And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
  11. Cross References
    Acts 10:36
    The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ - He is Lord of all -
  12. Cross References
    Romans 2:16
    In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
    2 Corinthians 5:10
    For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
  13. Cross References
    Isaiah 45:23
    I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.
    Philippians 2:10
    That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.
    Philippians 2:11
    And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
  14. Cross References
    Matthew 12:36
    But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
    Matthew 16:27
    For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
    Galatians 6:5
    For each one shall bear his own load.
    1 Peter 4:5
    They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
  15. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 8:9
    But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.
  16. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 10:25
    Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake.
  17. Cross References
    Romans 14:20
    Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.
    1 Corinthians 8:11
    And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
  18. Cross References
    Romans 12:17
    Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
  19. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 8:8
    But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
  20. Cross References
    Romans 8:6
    For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
  21. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:21
    Providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
    Philippians 4:8
    Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.
    1 Peter 2:12
    Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
  22. Cross References
    Psalms 34:14
    Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
    Romans 12:18
    If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
    1 Corinthians 7:15
    But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.
    2 Timothy 2:22
    Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
    Hebrews 12:14
    Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
  23. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:12
    Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
    1 Thessalonians 5:11
    Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
  24. Cross References
    Romans 14:15
    Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.
  25. Cross References
    Acts 10:15
    And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common.
  26. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 8:9 - 12
    But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.
  27. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 8:13
    Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
  28. Cross References
    1 John 3:21
    Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.
  29. Cross References
    Titus 1:15
    To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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