The Letter to the Romans

Romans 14

Who, what, why, when, where, and how — read the book introduction

All 16 chapters of Romans are available.

How to use Greek word study

You do not need to read Greek to begin. Tap an underlined word in either the Greek line or the Romanized Greek line: both open the same entry. Where reliable data is available, you will see the dictionary form, grammar, Strong’s number and a definition. Choose “More meaning and grammar” to explore further, then “Close” to return to the passage. Drag the top bar to move the panel and scroll inside it to see more; the Close button stays visible.

A dashed underline marks unavailable parsing; a double underline marks an unavailable dictionary entry. We do not fill these gaps with guesses. Dictionary definitions offer possible meanings; context determines the meaning in the passage. Our Greek text and its Romanization remain unchanged.

Learn about the sources and coverage →

ROMANS 14:1

TWMC

Welcome believers who are uncertain about what their faith allows them to do. Do not argue with them or judge them over matters of personal conviction.¹

KJV

Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

Greek

Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαμβάνεσθε, μὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισμῶν.

Romanized Greek

Ton de asthenounta tē pistei proslambanesthe, mē eis diakriseis dialogismōn.

ROMANS 14:2

TWMC

Some believers feel free to eat anything, while others choose not to eat meat because of their convictions.²

KJV

For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Greek

Ὃς μὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει.

Romanized Greek

Hos men pisteuei phagein panta, ho de asthenōn lachana esthiei.

ROMANS 14:3

TWMC

Those who eat meat must not look down on those who do not. And those who choose not to eat meat must not condemn those who do, because God has welcomed them both.

KJV

Let 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.

Greek

Ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω· ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο.

Romanized Greek

Ho esthiōn ton mē esthionta mē exoutheneitō, kai ho mē esthiōn ton esthionta mē krinetō; ho theos gar auton proselabeto.

ROMANS 14:4

TWMC

Who are you to judge someone else's servant? [We are all servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, and He alone is our ultimate Judge.] Whether that servant stands or falls is for the master to decide. And God is able to help that servant stand.³

KJV

Who 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.

Greek

Σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; Τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει. Σταθήσεται δέ· δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν.

Romanized Greek

Sy tis ei ho krinōn allotrion oiketēn? Tō idiō kyriō stēkei ē piptei. Stathēsetai de; dynatos gar estin ho theos stēsai auton.

ROMANS 14:5

TWMC

Some believers consider certain days more sacred than others, while others consider every day equally important. Each person should carefully consider their convictions and be fully convinced of what they believe.⁴

KJV

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Greek

Ὃς μὲν κρίνει ἡμέραν παρ’ ἡμέραν, ὃς δὲ κρίνει πᾶσαν ἡμέραν. Ἕκαστος ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ νοῒ πληροφορείσθω.

Romanized Greek

Hos men krinei hēmeran par’ hēmeran, hos de krinei pasan hēmeran. Hekastos en tō idiō noi plērophoreisthō.

ROMANS 14:6

TWMC

Whoever observes a particular day does so to honor the Lord, and whoever does not observe it does the same to honor the Lord. Whoever eats does so to honor the Lord, giving thanks to God. And whoever abstains does so to honor the Lord, also giving thanks to God.⁵

KJV

He 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.

Greek

Ὁ φρονῶν τὴν ἡμέραν, κυρίῳ φρονεῖ· καὶ ὁ μὴ φρονῶν τὴν ἡμέραν, κυρίῳ οὐ φρονεῖ. Καὶ ὁ ἐσθίων κυρίῳ ἐσθίει, εὐχαριστεῖ γὰρ τῷ θεῷ· καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων κυρίῳ οὐκ ἐσθίει, καὶ εὐχαριστεῖ τῷ θεῷ.

Romanized Greek

Ho phronōn tēn hēmeran, kyriō phronei; kai ho mē phronōn tēn hēmeran, kyriō ou phronei. Kai ho esthiōn kyriō esthiei, eucharistei gar tō theō; kai ho mē esthiōn kyriō ouk esthiei, kai eucharistei tō theō.

ROMANS 14:7

TWMC

For none of us lives only for ourselves, and none of us dies only for ourselves.⁶

KJV

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Greek

Οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἡμῶν ἑαυτῷ ζῇ, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἑαυτῷ ἀποθνῄσκει.

Romanized Greek

Oudeis gar hēmōn heautō zē, kai oudeis heautō apothnēskei.

ROMANS 14:8

TWMC

If we live, we live for the Lord. If we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

KJV

For 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.

Greek

Ἐάν τε γὰρ ζῶμεν, τῷ κυρίῳ ζῶμεν· ἐάν τε ἀποθνῄσκωμεν, τῷ κυρίῳ ἀποθνῄσκομεν· ἐάν τε οὖν ζῶμεν, ἐάν τε ἀποθνῄσκωμεν, τοῦ κυρίου ἐσμέν.

Romanized Greek

Ean te gar zōmen, tō kyriō zōmen; ean te apothnēskōmen, tō kyriō apothnēskomen; ean te oun zōmen, ean te apothnēskōmen, tou kyriou esmen.

ROMANS 14:9

TWMC

For this very reason, Christ died, rose again, and returned to life, so that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.⁷

KJV

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

Greek

Εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ χριστὸς καὶ ἀπέθανεν καὶ ἀνέστη καὶ ἔζησεν, ἵνα καὶ νεκρῶν καὶ ζώντων κυριεύσῃ.

Romanized Greek

Eis touto gar christos kai apethanen kai anestē kai ezēsen, hina kai nekrōn kai zōntōn kyrieusē.

ROMANS 14:10

TWMC

So why do you sit in judgment of your brother or sister? Or why do you look down on them? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.⁸

KJV

But 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.

Greek

Σὺ δὲ τί κρίνεις τὸν ἀδελφόν σου; Ἢ καὶ σὺ τί ἐξουθενεῖς τὸν ἀδελφόν σου; Πάντες γὰρ παραστησόμεθα τῷ βήματι τοῦ χριστοῦ.

Romanized Greek

Sy de ti krineis ton adelphon sou? Ē kai sy ti exoutheneis ton adelphon sou? Pantes gar parastēsometha tō bēmati tou christou.

ROMANS 14:11

TWMC

For Scripture says: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me, and every tongue will acknowledge God.”⁹

KJV

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

Greek

Γέγραπται γάρ, Ζῶ ἐγώ, λέγει κύριος· ὅτι ἐμοὶ κάμψει πᾶν γόνυ, καὶ πᾶσα γλῶσσα ἐξομολογήσεται τῷ θεῷ.

Romanized Greek

Gegraptai gar, Zō egō, legei kyrios; hoti emoi kampsei pan gony, kai pasa glōssa exomologēsetai tō theō.

ROMANS 14:12

TWMC

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.¹⁰

KJV

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

Greek

Ἄρα οὖν ἕκαστος ἡμῶν περὶ ἑαυτοῦ λόγον δώσει τῷ θεῷ.

Romanized Greek

Ara oun hekastos hēmōn peri heautou logon dōsei tō theō.

ROMANS 14:13

TWMC

So let us stop sitting in judgment of one another. Instead, make up your minds never to put an obstacle in another believer's path that might cause them to stumble or fall into sin.¹¹

KJV

Let 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.

Greek

Μηκέτι οὖν ἀλλήλους κρίνωμεν· ἀλλὰ τοῦτο κρίνατε μᾶλλον, τὸ μὴ τιθέναι πρόσκομμα τῷ ἀδελφῷ ἢ σκάνδαλον.

Romanized Greek

Mēketi oun allēlous krinōmen; alla touto krinate mallon, to mē tithenai proskomma tō adelphō ē skandalon.

ROMANS 14:14

TWMC

I know, and I am convinced through the Lord Jesus, that no food is unclean in itself. But if someone believes a particular food is unclean, then for that person, eating it would violate their conscience.¹²

KJV

I 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.

Greek

Οἶδα καὶ πέπεισμαι ἐν κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ, ὅτι οὐδὲν κοινὸν δι’ αὐτοῦ· εἰ μὴ τῷ λογιζομένῳ τι κοινὸν εἶναι, ἐκείνῳ κοινόν.

Romanized Greek

Oida kai pepeismai en kyriō Iēsou, hoti ouden koinon di’ autou; ei mē tō logizomenō ti koinon einai, ekeinō koinon.

ROMANS 14:15

TWMC

If what you eat causes another believer to be deeply troubled, you are no longer acting in love. Do not let your freedom to eat something become the reason you spiritually harm someone for whom Christ died.¹³

KJV

But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

Greek

Εἰ δὲ διὰ βρῶμα ὁ ἀδελφός σου λυπεῖται, οὐκέτι κατὰ ἀγάπην περιπατεῖς. Μὴ τῷ βρώματί σου ἐκεῖνον ἀπόλλυε, ὑπὲρ οὗ χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν.

Romanized Greek

Ei de dia brōma ho adelphos sou lypeitai, ouketi kata agapēn peripateis. Mē tō brōmati sou ekeinon apollye, hyper hou christos apethanen.

ROMANS 14:16

TWMC

So do not allow something you consider good to become a reason for others to speak against you.¹⁴

KJV

Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Greek

Μὴ βλασφημείσθω οὖν ὑμῶν τὸ ἀγαθόν·

Romanized Greek

Mē blasphēmeisthō oun hymōn to agathon;

ROMANS 14:17

TWMC

For the Kingdom of God is not about what we eat or drink. It is about living in righteousness, peace, and joy through the Holy Spirit.¹⁵

KJV

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Greek

οὐ γάρ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ βρῶσις καὶ πόσις, ἀλλὰ δικαιοσύνη καὶ εἰρήνη καὶ χαρὰ ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ.

Romanized Greek

ou gar estin hē basileia tou theou brōsis kai posis, alla dikaiosynē kai eirēnē kai chara en pneumati hagiō.

ROMANS 14:18

TWMC

Whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and earns the respect of others.¹⁶

KJV

For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

Greek

Ὁ γὰρ ἐν τούτοις δουλεύων τῷ χριστῷ εὐάρεστος τῷ θεῷ, καὶ δόκιμος τοῖς ἀνθρώποις.

Romanized Greek

Ho gar en toutois douleuōn tō christō euarestos tō theō, kai dokimos tois anthrōpois.

ROMANS 14:19

TWMC

So then, let us pursue the things that bring peace and help strengthen one another in faith.¹⁷

KJV

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Greek

Ἄρα οὖν τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης διώκωμεν, καὶ τὰ τῆς οἰκοδομῆς τῆς εἰς ἀλλήλους.

Romanized Greek

Ara oun ta tēs eirēnēs diōkōmen, kai ta tēs oikodomēs tēs eis allēlous.

ROMANS 14:20

TWMC

Do not tear down the work of God over something as insignificant as food. All food is clean, but it becomes wrong for someone to eat when doing so causes another believer to stumble.¹⁸

KJV

For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

Greek

Μὴ ἕνεκεν βρώματος κατάλυε τὸ ἔργον τοῦ θεοῦ. Πάντα μὲν καθαρά, ἀλλὰ κακὸν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τῷ διὰ προσκόμματος ἐσθίοντι.

Romanized Greek

Mē heneken brōmatos katalye to ergon tou theou. Panta men kathara, alla kakon tō anthrōpō tō dia proskommatos esthionti.

ROMANS 14:21

TWMC

It is better not to eat meat, drink wine, or do anything else that might cause your brother or sister to stumble, be offended, or become weak in faith.¹⁹

KJV

It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Greek

Καλὸν τὸ μὴ φαγεῖν κρέα, μηδὲ πιεῖν οἶνον, μηδὲ ἐν ᾧ ὁ ἀδελφός σου προσκόπτει ἢ σκανδαλίζεται ἢ ἀσθενεῖ.

Romanized Greek

Kalon to mē phagein krea, mēde piein oinon, mēde en hō ho adelphos sou proskoptei ē skandalizetai ē asthenei.

ROMANS 14:22

TWMC

Whatever conviction you have about these matters, hold it before God. Blessed is the person who can act according to their convictions without condemning themselves for what they have chosen to do.²⁰

KJV

Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

Greek

Σὺ πίστιν ἔχεις; Κατὰ σεαυτὸν ἔχε ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ. Μακάριος ὁ μὴ κρίνων ἑαυτὸν ἐν ᾧ δοκιμάζει.

Romanized Greek

Sy pistin echeis? Kata seauton eche enōpion tou theou. Makarios ho mē krinōn heauton en hō dokimazei.

ROMANS 14:23

TWMC

But whoever has doubts and eats anyway stands condemned by their own conscience, because they are not acting from faith. And whatever does not come from faith is sin.²¹

KJV

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Greek

Ὁ δὲ διακρινόμενος, ἐὰν φάγῃ, κατακέκριται, ὅτι οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως· πᾶν δὲ ὃ οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως, ἁμαρτία ἐστίν.

Romanized Greek

Ho de diakrinomenos, ean phagē, katakekritai, hoti ouk ek pisteōs; pan de ho ouk ek pisteōs, hamartia estin.

Notes

Romans 14:1 Welcoming the Weak in Faith. The Greek ton de asthenounta tē pistei refers to someone who is weak in faith. The word asthenounta describes weakness, while pistei identifies the area in which that weakness occurs. Paul's following examples show that he is discussing confidence concerning particular practices rather than declaring that the person lacks genuine faith in Christ. The verb proslambanesthe means to receive or welcome someone. The expression mē eis diakriseis dialogismōn concerns disputes or judgments about opinions and reasoning. The wording “matters of personal conviction” communicates the kind of disagreement illustrated in the following verses. ↩
Romans 14:2 Eating Meat and Abstaining. Paul literally describes one believer as having faith to eat all things, while another eats vegetables. The Greek lachana esthiei means “eats vegetables.” The wording “chooses not to eat meat” communicates the practical distinction between the two groups without requiring modern readers to interpret the significance of a vegetable-only diet. The text does not explicitly identify the reason meat was avoided. Concerns about dietary laws, food preparation, or association with pagan worship have been suggested. Paul uses exoutheneitō for treating another person with contempt and krinetō for judging or condemning. These words distinguish the two attitudes he warns against. ↩
Romans 14:4 The Servant and the Master. The Greek oiketēn refers to a household servant. Paul's illustration begins with the question of who has authority to judge another person's servant. The servant's standing is ultimately the responsibility of that servant's own master. The bracketed explanation, “We are all servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, and He alone is our ultimate Judge,” draws upon the surrounding argument, especially Romans 14:7–12. Those words are a contextual clarification rather than a literal reproduction of the Greek in verse 4. The concluding statement identifies God as the One able to uphold the servant. ↩
Romans 14:5 Differences Concerning Particular Days. Paul uses hēmeran par' hēmeran to describe regarding one day above another. He contrasts that position with treating every day alike. The wording “more sacred than others” explains the religious significance of the differing practices. The Greek itself speaks more directly of regarding one day above another, without identifying the particular observances being discussed. The expression en tō idiō noi plērophoreisthō calls each person to be fully convinced in their own mind. ↩
Romans 14:6 Honoring the Lord Through Different Practices. The verb phroneō can describe regarding or observing a day with a particular judgment or attitude. Paul repeatedly uses kyriō, meaning “to the Lord,” to identify the One whom the believer intends to honor. The statements concerning eating and abstaining emphasize thanksgiving to God. The Robinson–Pierpont Byzantine text contains a fuller form of this verse than some critical editions, including the parallel concerning the one who does not observe a particular day. TWMC follows the fuller Byzantine wording, which shows both believers seeking to honor the same Lord. ↩
Romans 14:7 Belonging to the Lord in Life and Death. Paul deliberately repeats the language of living and dying. The phrase tō kyriō means “to the Lord” or “for the Lord,” identifying the One to whom the believer's life and death are directed. The concluding expression tou kyriou esmen means “we belong to the Lord.” It brings together Paul's statements concerning both life and death. ↩
Romans 14:9 Christ's Lordship Over the Living and the Dead. Paul connects Christ's death and resurrection with His lordship over both the dead and the living. The Robinson–Pierpont Byzantine text reads kai apethanen kai anestē kai ezēsen, “both died and rose and lived,” naming His life alongside His resurrection. The Textus Receptus reads anezēsen, “lived again,” and many critical editions do not have “rose.” The order “dead and living” follows Paul's preceding emphasis that belonging to the Lord continues through death. ↩
Romans 14:10 The Judgment Seat of Christ. The Greek bēma refers to a judgment seat or raised platform associated with the exercise of judicial authority. “Sit in judgment” renders the verb krineis, literally “judge,” by drawing out the implication of assuming the position of a judge over someone else. The Robinson–Pierpont Byzantine text reads “the judgment seat of Christ.” Many critical editions instead read “the judgment seat of God.” Both readings concern the believer's accountability before divine judgment. ↩
Romans 14:11 Every Knee Will Bow. Paul quotes from Isaiah 45:23, where God declares that every knee will bow and every tongue acknowledge Him. The Greek verb exomologēsetai can communicate confession, acknowledgment, or praise. The quotation emphasizes the universal recognition of God's authority. ↩
Romans 14:12 Giving an Account to God. The expression hekastos hēmōn means “each of us,” emphasizing the individual nature of accountability. The phrase logon dōsei means to give an account. Paul's statement concludes the argument by directing attention to each person's responsibility before God. ↩
Romans 14:13 Stop Judging and Stop Causing Others to Stumble. Paul repeats the verb krinō, meaning to judge or decide. The first use concerns judging one another. The second turns the same idea toward making a decision about one's own behavior. The contrast is deliberate: instead of deciding another believer's standing, decide not to place an obstacle in that believer's path. The words proskomma and skandalon describe an obstacle, stumbling block, or cause of falling. They are used figuratively here to describe something that can lead another person into wrongdoing. ↩
Romans 14:14 Nothing Unclean in Itself. Paul uses koinon, which can mean common, defiled, or ceremonially unclean. In this context, he is discussing food regarded as religiously unacceptable. The expression di' heautou means “through itself” or “in itself.” Paul distinguishes the food's nature from the judgment of the person who considers it unclean. The statement that eating would violate the person's conscience explains the effect of logizomenō, regarding or reckoning something as unclean. The word “conscience” is not explicitly present in this verse, but the idea is developed throughout the passage. ↩
Romans 14:15 Walking According to Love. The verb lypeitai describes being grieved, distressed, or troubled. Paul connects this reaction with the conduct of the believer who exercises freedom without considering another person's spiritual welfare. The expression kata agapēn peripateis means to walk according to love. “Walk” describes one's manner of life, not physical movement. Paul also uses apollye, a strong verb meaning to destroy or ruin. The wording “spiritually harm” communicates the seriousness of the warning without deciding every theological implication of the verb. ↩
Romans 14:16 Do Not Let Your Good Be Spoken Against. The Greek blasphēmeisthō can mean to be spoken against, reviled, or slandered. Paul applies it to something the believer regards as good. The verse warns that a legitimate freedom can become the occasion for criticism when it is exercised without regard for others. ↩
Romans 14:17 Righteousness, Peace, and Joy. The expression hē basileia tou theou means “the Kingdom of God,” referring to God's kingly rule. Paul contrasts brōsis kai posis, eating and drinking, with dikaiosynē kai eirēnē kai chara, righteousness, peace, and joy. The final phrase, en pneumati hagiō, means “in the Holy Spirit.” It identifies the Spirit as central to the qualities Paul describes. ↩
Romans 14:18 Serving Christ. The verb douleuōn means serving as a servant or slave. Paul identifies Christ as the One being served. The adjective euarestos means pleasing or acceptable, while dokimos describes someone approved, tested, or regarded as acceptable. The language concerning people's approval is not a promise that every individual will respect faithful Christian conduct. ↩
Romans 14:19 Pursuing Peace and Building One Another Up. The verb diōkōmen means to pursue or seek earnestly. Paul uses active language rather than merely telling believers to avoid conflict. The noun oikodomē literally concerns building or construction. Paul uses it figuratively for strengthening or building up another person spiritually. ↩
Romans 14:20 Do Not Tear Down God's Work. Paul contrasts katalye, to tear down or destroy, with ergon tou theou, the work of God. He repeats that all things are clean in the context of food, but adds that eating becomes wrong when it causes another person to stumble. The word proskommatos is related to the stumbling imagery introduced in verse 13. ↩
Romans 14:21 Willingness to Abstain. The expression mē phagein krea mēde piein oinon means not eating meat or drinking wine. Paul extends the principle to anything that causes another believer to stumble. The Robinson–Pierpont Byzantine text includes the expressions describing someone stumbling, being offended, or becoming weak. Some critical editions use a shorter reading. The fuller wording is retained here because it belongs to the Byzantine textual tradition. ↩
Romans 14:22 Faith Before God. The word pistis, faith, can refer to trust or conviction. In the immediate context, Paul is discussing confidence before God regarding disputed practices. The expression kata seauton, “to yourself,” concerns holding that conviction personally before God. The word makarios means blessed or fortunate, and Paul's statement describes the person who does not condemn themselves in what they approve. ↩
Romans 14:23 Acting from Faith. The verb diakrinomenos can describe doubting, wavering, or being divided in judgment. Paul contrasts this uncertainty with acting ek pisteōs, from faith. The final statement, pan de ho ouk ek pisteōs hamartia estin, means “everything that is not from faith is sin.” The wording makes the individual's relationship to faith and conviction central to Paul's concluding warning. ↩