Keraia
Romans 14

Romans 14:15

The Law of Love · Romans 14:13–23
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Translations

Modern
If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.
Traditional
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Literal
For if because of food your brother is grieved, no longer do you walk according to love. Do not destroy with your food that one for whom Christ died.
Latin
Si enim propter cibum frater tuus contristatur, jam non secundum caritatem ambulas. Noli cibo tuo illum perdere, pro quo Christus mortuus est.

Original

Greek
English
If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.

Notes

Romans 14:15

The word translated as destroy (from the Greek apollumi) often used to describe eternal judgment (see 2:12; Matthew 10:28; 18:14; Luke 9:24; 13:2–5; John 3:16; 10:10, 28; 1 Corinthians 1:18–19; James 4:12; 2 Peter 3:9). By insisting on their freedom to eat any food, believers who were strong in faith could harm others. They might cause sensitive Jewish Christians, for whom Christ died, to turn away from the faith.

Romans 14:1–15:7

Paul addresses a specific issue causing conflict in the church at Rome. The church encountered a dispute between those weak in faith and those strong in faith about certain practices (see 15:1).

Throughout this section, Paul urges Christians to show patience and tolerance toward one another and their practices. He is convinced that people on both sides are genuine believers. He also believes that the issues they are arguing about are not essential to the Christian faith.

Romans 12:1–15:13

This section of Romans explains the moral and ethical demands of the gospel. God’s gift of salvation in Christ calls for a response from believers.

God not only forgives sin. He also wants to transform how people live.

Much of what Paul teaches here about the moral duties of believers also appears in his other letters. However, Paul also addresses issues that were especially important for the church in Rome. One key issue was the disagreement between people who were weak in faith and people who were strong in faith(14:1–15:13).

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Giving up Rights Tolerance

Parallels

Ezekiel 14:1–11 1 Corinthians 8:1–13

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Biblical Concept of Law Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning Grief Letter to the Romans

Topics

Charitableness: General Scriptures Concerning Commandments of Men Conscience: General Scriptures Concerning Evil: Appearance of, to be Avoided Expediency: General Scriptures Concerning Fellowship of the Righteous Jesus, the Christ: Design of his Death Jesus, the Christ: Mission of Rome for Mutual Forbearance Self-Denial: General Scriptures Concerning Selfishness: General Scriptures Concerning Suffering of Christ Temptation: General Scriptures Concerning Uncharitableness: General Scriptures Concerning