So then, let’s follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up. Don’t overthrow God’s work for food’s sake. All things indeed are clean, however it is evil for that man who creates a stumbling block by eating. It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak.
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Romans 14:19-21 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Therefore let’s not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother’s way, or an occasion for falling. I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself; except that to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if because of food your brother is grieved, you walk no longer in love. Don’t destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Then don’t let your good be slandered, for God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then, let’s follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up. Don’t overthrow God’s work for food’s sake. All things indeed are clean, however it is evil for that man who creates a stumbling block by eating. It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak.
Parallel Translations
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So then, let’s follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up.
Don’t overthrow God’s work for food’s sake. All things indeed are clean, however it is evil for that man who creates a stumbling block by eating.
It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak.
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Let vs folowe tho thinges which make for peace and thinges wherwith one maye edyfie another.
Destroye not the worke of god for a lytell meates sake. All thinges are pure: but it is evyll for that man which eateth with hurte of his conscience.
It is good nether to eate flesshe nether to drincke wyne nether eny thinge wherby thy brother stombleth ether falleth or is made weake.
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Let vs then follow those things which concerne peace, and wherewith one may edifie another.
Destroy not the worke of God for meates sake: all things in deede are pure: but it is euill for the man which eateth with offence.
It is good neither to eate flesh, nor to drinke wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or made weake.
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Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (45)
- Ephesians 4:29 (v19) Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to…
- Romans 12:18 (v19) If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.
- Psalms 34:14 (v19) Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.
- Romans 15:2 (v19) Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.
- Romans 14:14-15 (v20) I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself; except that to him who considers anything to be unclean, to…
Show all 45 cross-references
- Hebrews 12:14 (v19) Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord,
- Matthew 18:6 (v20) but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a huge millstone were hung around…
- 1 Corinthians 8:13 (v21) Therefore if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forever more, that I don’t cause my brother to stumble.
- 2 Corinthians 13:11 (v19) Finally, brothers, rejoice! Be perfected. Be comforted. Be of the same mind. Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11-12 (v19) Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do. But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you,…
- Titus 1:15 (v20) To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience…
- Matthew 5:9 (v19) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
- Mark 9:50 (v19) Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one…
- Acts 10:15 (v20) A voice came to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean.”
- Colossians 3:12-15 (v19) Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing…
- Romans 14:13 (v21) Therefore let’s not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother’s way, or an…
- 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (v20) Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no occasion for stumbling, whether to Jews, or to…
- Philippians 2:1-4 (v19) If therefore there is any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and…
- Romans 14:21 (v20) It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak.
- 1 Corinthians 6:12-13 (v20) “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are expedient. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be brought under the power…
- 1 Corinthians 14:12-17 (v19) So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly. Therefore let him who…
- 1 Corinthians 14:26 (v19) What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, or…
- James 3:13-18 (v19) Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. But if you have…
- 1 Peter 3:11 (v19) Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.
- Psalms 133:1 (v19) See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!
- Matthew 15:11 (v20) That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”
- Romans 15:1-2 (v21) Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor for…
- 1 Corinthians 10:33 (v19) even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.
- Ephesians 4:3-7 (v19) being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one…
- 1 Timothy 4:3-5 (v20) forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know…
- Malachi 2:8 (v21) But you have turned away from the path. You have caused many to stumble in the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says Yahweh…
- Matthew 16:23 (v21) But he turned, and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things…
- Matthew 18:7-10 (v21) “Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person through whom the…
- Luke 17:1-2 (v21) He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no occasions of stumbling should come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be…
- 1 Corinthians 7:15 (v19) Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us…
- 1 Corinthians 8:8-13 (v20) But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we don’t eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. But be careful that…
- 2 Corinthians 12:19 (v19) Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your…
- Ephesians 2:10 (v20) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.
- 1 Timothy 1:4 (v19) and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith—
- 2 Timothy 2:22 (v19) Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- Romans 14:17 (v21) for God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
- Philippians 1:6 (v20) being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
- Philippians 1:10 (v21) so that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ,
- Hebrews 12:13 (v21) and make straight paths for your feet, so what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
- Revelation 2:14 (v21) But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (24 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv19–20 19. Let us then follow, etc. He recalls us,…
19. Let us then follow, etc. He recalls us, as much as possible, from a mere regard to meats, to consider those greater things which ought to have the first place in all our actions, and so to have the precedence. We must indeed eat, that we may live; we ought to live, that we may serve the Lord; and he serves the Lord, who by benevolence and kindness edifies his neighbor; for in order to promote these two things, concord and edification, all the duties of love ought to be exercised. Lest this should be thought of little moment, he repeats the sentence he had before announced, — that corruptible meat is not of such consequence that for its sake the Lord’s building should be destroyed. For wherever there is even a spark of godliness, there the work of God is to be seen; which they demolish, who by their unfeeling conduct disturb the conscience of the weak.
But it must be noticed, that edification is joined to peace; because some, not unfrequently, too freely indulge one another, so that they do much harm by their compliances. Hence in endeavoring to serve one another, discretion ought to be exercised, and utility regarded, so that we may willingly grant to our brother whatever may be useful to further his salvation. So Paul reminds us in another place: “All things,” he says, “are lawful to me; but all things are not expedient;” and immediately he adds the reason, “Because all things do not edify.” (1 Corinthians 10:23.)
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Nor is it also in vain that he repeats again, For meat destroy not, etc., intimating, that he required no abstinence, by which there would be, according to what he had said before, any loss to piety: though we eat not anything we please, but abstain from the use of meats for the sake of our brethren; yet the kingdom of God continues entire and complete.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v19 A general conclusion: The use of this liberty, yea…
A general conclusion: The use of this liberty, yea and our whole life, ought to be referred to the edifying of one another, insomuch that we esteem that thing unlawful by reason of the offense of our brother, which is of itself pure and lawful.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv19–21 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which…
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Ver. 19. Wherewith one may edify another] Discords among good people do edificare in gehennam, build in hell, as Tertullian phraseth it, build backwards. One of the main scandals the Jews take from Protestants is their dissension.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv19–21 This verse is the application of the foregoing discourse,…
This verse is the application of the foregoing discourse, in which you have an exhortation to the practice of two great duties. The one is peace, or peaceableness; the other is mutual edification. He had persuaded before to peace with all men, Rom 12:18; and here he speaks more especially of peace and concord amongst brethren: see 2Co 13:11; Eph 4:3; Col 3:15; 1Th 5:13; Heb 12:14. This peace is very necessary, and Christians should endeavour all things that will promote it, and avoid all things that will obstruct it. And they must not only live peaceably, but profitably one with another. They should build one another up in grace and knowledge.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv19–21 This verse is an inference drawn from the foregoing…
This verse is an inference drawn from the foregoing discourse. "Seeing the kingdom of God, or our common Christianity, doth not consist either in the doing or declining of these little indifferent things, let us by no means hazard the peace of the church, or break communion with such as in their sentiments differ from us; much less let us despise and set at naught each other, upon the account of these small, yet unhappy differences. But let us earnestly pursue the things that make for the common peace of all Christians, and the things by which we may further each other’s edification and salvation."
Learn hence, That in case of any emergent differences among Christians, it ought to be the joint care and endeavour of all and every one to pursue the things which make for peace, and that this peace be such as will consist with, and greatly help forward, the good of the church: Let us follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv19–21 For meat destroy not the work of God,.... The…
For meat destroy not the work of God,.... The Syriac reads it, "the works of God"; referring either to righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, of which the kingdom of God consists; or to the weak brother, who both as a creature, and as a new creature, is the workmanship of God; and to the good work of grace, the work of faith upon his soul, which is the work of God; or rather to his peace, and the peace of the church of Christ, which is both the will and work of God; peace is what he calls his people to, and what he himself is the author of; and may be destroyed, and sometimes is, by trifling things; whereas a true believer, though ever so weak, cannot be destroyed, nor the good work of God upon his soul be lost, nor any part of it; not the work of faith, which Christ prays for that it fail not, and is both the author and finisher of; but the work of peace and edification in particular persons, and in a church, may be destroyed, but it is pity it should, by so small a matter, so trivial a thing as meat, or the use of anything that is indifferent:
all things indeed are pure. The Ethiopic version adds, "to the pure"; to them that have pure consciences, sprinkled by the blood of Christ, and have no doubt or scruple about eating things indifferent; but this addition seems to be taken out of Tit 1:15; though it may serve to explain the sense, which is, that all sorts of food, without any distinction, may be eaten; there is nothing common or unclean, every creature in itself is good, and every Christian may lawfully eat thereof, with moderation and thankfulness. This is a concession which stands thus corrected and restrained,
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but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. The Arabic version adds, "of his neighbour"; which is a good interpretation of the passage; for the apostle means not with offence to a man's own conscience, though so to eat is an evil too, but with offence to a fellow Christian; it is not an evil in itself to eat, but when this circumstance of offending another thereby attends it; it is evil, though not in itself, yet in its consequences; it offends a weak brother, displeases Christ, who would not have one of his little ones offended, and brings a woe upon the person by whom the offence comes. The Ethiopic version reads, "who eats inordinately"; which to be sure is sinful, but is not the meaning here.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv19–21 Peace and edification are closely joined. Practical divinity tends…
Peace and edification are closely joined. Practical divinity tends equally to peace and to edification. Controversial divinity less directly tends to edification, although sometimes, as they of old, we cannot build without it, Neh. iv, 17.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv19–21 Verse 19. Let us therefore follow] Far from contending…
Verse 19. Let us therefore follow] Far from contending about meats, drinks, and festival times, in which it is not likely that the Jews and Gentiles will soon agree, let us endeavour to the utmost of our power to promote peace and unanimity, that we may be instrumental in edifying each other, in promoting religious knowledge and piety instead of being stumbling-blocks in each other's way.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v19 Rom 14:19-21. Let us therefore — In consistency with…
Rom 14:19-21. Let us therefore — In consistency with these certain and momentous truths; follow after the things which make for peace — Which tend to procure, preserve, and promote peace among the faithful; and things wherewith one may edify another, may build him up in faith and holiness. Observe, reader, peace and edification are closely connected: practical divinity tends equally to peace and edification. Controversial divinity less directly tends to edification, although sometimes we, as they of old, Neh 4:17, cannot build without it. For meat — For so small a matter as the eating a little meat; or, for the use of any indifferent thing, destroy not the work of God — That work which he builds in the soul by faith, and in the church by concord: do nothing toward destroying it. All things indeed are pure — All meats are, in themselves, lawful; but it, the eating what a person thinks to be prohibited, is evil, sinful, and hurtful, to that man who eateth with offence — So as to offend another thereby, or contrary to the dictates of his own conscience, and insnaring to the consciences of others, And in this view I may affirm, It is good, pleasing to God, and profitable for edification, and therefore every Christian’s duty, neither to eat flesh, &c. — Not only to abstain from what is forbidden in the law of Moses, but from every other thing which gives offence; whereby thy brother stumbleth — By imitating thee against his conscience, contrary to righteousness; or is offended at what thou dost to the loss of his peace; or is made weak, hesitating between imitation and abhorrence, to the loss of that joy in the Lord, which was his strength. Macknight interprets the clause rather differently, thus: “The first of these words, προσκοπτει, stumbleth, (which signifies to dash one’s foot against something without falling, or being much hurt,) expresses the case of a person who, being tempted to commit sin, yields a little to the temptation, but recovers himself: the second, σκανδαλιζεται, from σκαζω, to halt, (meaning to fall and be lamed by stumbling,) expresses the case of one who, through temptation, actually commits sin contrary to his knowledge and conviction: the third, ασθενει, (which signifies to be weakened in consequence of such a fall,) expresses the condition of a person who, by sinning, hath his piety so weakened, that he is in danger of apostatizing.”
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv19–21 Let us therefore follow ... - The object of…
Let us therefore follow ... - The object of this verse is to persuade the church at Rome to lay aside their causes of contention, and to live in harmony. This exhortation is founded on the considerations which the apostle had presented, and may be regarded as the conclusion to which the argument had conducted him.
The things which make for peace - The high purposes and objects of the Christian religion, and not those smaller matters which produce strife. If men aim at the great objects proposed by the Christian religion, they will live in peace. If they seek to promote their private ends, to follow their own passions and prejudices, they will be involved in strife and contention. There “are” great common objects before “all” Christians in which they can unite, and in the pursuit of which they will cultivate a spirit of peace. Let them all strive for holiness; let them seek to spread the gospel; let them engage in circulating the Bible, or in doing good in any way to others, and their smaller matters of difference will sink into comparative unimportance, and they will unite in one grand purpose of saving the world. Christians have more things in which they “agree” than in which they differ. The points in which they are agreed are of infinite importance; the points on which they differ are commonly some minor matters in which they may “agree to differ,” and still cherish love for all who bear the image of Christ.
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And things wherewith ... - That is, those things by which we may render “aid” to our brethren; the doctrines, exhortations, counsels, and other helps which may benefit them in their Christian life.
May edify - The word “edify” means properly to “build,” as a house; then to “rebuild” or “reconstruct;” then to adorn or ornament; then to do any thing that will confer favor or advantage, or which will further an object. Applied to the church, it means to do anything by teaching, counsel, advice, etc. which will tend to promote its great object; to aid Christians, to enable them to surmount difficulties, to remove their ignorance, etc.; Act 9:31; 1Co 8:1; 1Co 14:4. In these expressions the idea of a “building” is retained, reared on a firm, tried cornerstone, the Lord Jesus Christ; Eph 2:20; Isa 28:16. Compare Rom 9:33. Christians are thus regarded, according to Paul’s noble idea Eph 2:20-22, as one great temple erected for the glory of God, having no separate interest, but as united for one object, and therefore bound to do all that is possible, that each other may be suited to their appropriate place, and perform their appropriate function in perfecting and adorning this temple of God.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v20 Destroy not the work of God for meat. That…
Destroy not the work of God for meat. That is, do not hinder your brother’s salvation, for whom, whoever he be, Christ died, who may be so offended at the liberty which you take, as to quit the Christian religion; or you may make him sin against God, by eating by your example against his weak conscience. (Witham)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv19–21 the things, &c.--more simply, "the things of peace, and…
the things, &c.--more simply, "the things of peace, and the things of mutual edification."
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv19–21 19. Therefore—Since religion consists not in meats, but in…
19. Therefore—Since religion consists not in meats, but in spiritual graces.
Follow… peace—By neither insisting on meats, nor stiffly refusing to avoid meats.
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Edify—Build up; a metaphor borrowed from architecture. The Christian is a true temple of God. Beware lest instead of building him up we tear him down.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv19–21 19. the things which make for peace] Lit. the…
19. the things which make for peace] Lit. the things of peace. So below, the things of mutual edification.—For remarks on the harmony between St Paul’s eirenicon here and his stern warnings (e.g. in Galatians 1) against foundation-error, see long note on Rom_14:1 above.
edify] Cp. Rom_15:2.—The metaphor here has its usual (but not invariable) reference to the state and growth not of the individual but of the community.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv19–21 (19) Let us therefore follow.—The best MSS. have the…
(19) Let us therefore follow.—The best MSS. have the indicative mood, “so then we follow.” There is, however, some good support for the Received text, especially in the patristic quotations and versions; and mistakes of this kind were peculiarly liable to be made.
Edify.—The word has unfortunately lost its freshness of meaning, but we have no other single equivalent for it in English. It is the “upbuilding,” or mutual help and assistance in the spiritual life which Christians receive from their intercourse with each other.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On v19 Vers. 19-21. Let us therefore follow after the things…
Vers. 19-21. Let us therefore follow after the things that make for (literally, the things of) peace, and the things wherewith one may edify another (literally, the things of the edification of one another). For meat"s sake destroy not the work of God. "Destroy," or rather, overthrow the word is katalue , not appollue as in ver. 15 is connected in thought with the edification, or building up (oikodomhn) before spoken of. "The work of God" is that of his grace in the weak Christian"s soul, growing, it may be, to full assurance of faith. (cf. 1Co_3:9," ye are God"s building Upset not the rising structure, which is God"s own, as ye may do by putting a stumbling-block in the weak brother"s way. All things indeed are pure (i.e. in themselves all God"s gifts given for man"s service are so); but it is evil to that man who eateth with offence (i.e. if the eating be to himself a stumbling-block. The idea is the same as in ver. 14). It is good (kalon , not of indispensable obligation, but a right and noble thing to do) neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. The concluding words in italics are of doubtful authority: they are not required for the sense. For St. Paul"s expression of his own readiness to deny himself lawful things, if he might so avoid offence to weak brethren, cf. 1Co_8:13.
The double aspect of Christian service.
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The apostle"s mind was as powerful and active in a practical as in a speculative direction. Christ"s law had been, "By their fruits ye shall know them." And in this verse, Paul, reiterating his Master"s principles, vindicates the principles of the new faith by appealing to the excellence of the fruits of the Spirit.
I WHAT CHRISTIAN SERVICE IS.
1. It involves a personal relation between Master and servant.
2. It involves an acknowledgment of Divine authority.
3. It involves a powerful motive to a consecrated life.
4. It involves the inclusion of all activities and relationships within its sphere.
II SUCH SERVICE IS WELL PLEASING TO GOD.
1. For it resembles that of Christ himself, who came to do the will of him who sent him, and who "pleased the Father alway," in whom the Father was "well pleased.
2. It is in conformity to the Divine will. It is the prerogative of the spiritual nature of man that it is capable of apprehending and voluntarily accepting and obeying the perfect will of God.
3. It tends to the Divine glory. This is by no other means so effectively promoted as by the willing consecration to the Lord of all intelligent and moral natures.
III SUCH SERVICE IS APPROVED OF MEN.
1. Even those who do not render it themselves, approve it in others.
2. Even those who verbally censure, in their inner conscience commend it.
3. Legislators and rulers approve it, as contributive to the harmony and just development of human society at large.
A self-denying ordinance.
A society is formed for mutual help. The prosperity of the whole is a prime factor in all our working and living. Wondrous the effect of the gospel in levelling distinctions of class, in banishing national enmities, and in making Jew and Gentile realize their adoption into the same family of God, their oneness of blood, their community of interests.
I THE STRONGER CAN HELP THE WEAKER, AND THE HIGHER STOOP TO THE POSITION OF THE LOWER, MORE EASILY THAN VICE VERSA. It is the glory of the greater to include the less. And the man of far-reaching spiritual views can accommodate himself to his less intellectual brother more readily than the latter can lay aside his prejudices and rejoice in the removal of all restrictions. Hence those in our assemblies capable of assimilating the richest food placed before them are called upon to remember the plainer fare that suits the spiritual digestion of their brethren. Those who delight in climbing to the peaks of spiritual knowledge can learn to moderate their ardour, and sit with their fellows in happy concord in the plain, because otherwise there can be no general assembly, many being devoid of the strength and agility needful for an ascent to the summit. Our exhortation and worship must ever, though not exclusively, take account of the weaker and less educated, the children and the simple.
II IT IS SAFER TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF SELF-REPRESSION RATHER THAN OF LIBERTY. Every man endowed by the Spirit with a clearness and amplitude of vision that discriminates between the essential and the non-essential may refuse to have his freedom compulsorily narrowed by others. But he does well, and acts in the spirit of Christ who "pleased not himself," if he spontaneously renounces part of his privileges, in order that he may remove a possible stumbling-block from his brother"s path. And there is a danger of man"s natural tendency to self-assertion leading him to a violation of conscience. "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in the thing which he alloweth" implies the possibility of insisting on freedom with low motives. An instructive tradition of Christ is recorded by Codex Bezae after ver. 4 in Luke 6.: "On the same day he beheld a man working on the sabbath, and said unto him, Blessed art thou if thou knowest what thou doest: but if thou knowest not, thou art cursed and a transgressor of the Law." To disregard days and unclean food without a perception of the reason found in Christ"s universal cleansing and sanctification is not to justify, but to aggravate, the offence. To act against a conscientious feeling is always wrong. Many a man who boasts of his ability to pass unscathed through a fiery ordeal is being singed and maimed by his recklessness.
III TO HARM A BROTHER IS TO WOUND CHRIST. "Destroy not thy brother, for whom Christ died." See in the weakest member of the community the face and form of thy Lord! The essence of Christianity is self-abnegation; love makes the sacrifice welcome. Christ in us is our better self. and self-love wards off self-injury. The leader of a band anxious for its prosperity end progress feels a pang when any element of discord or weakness is introduced. Jesus Christ is the sensitive Head of the Church, and the inefficiency of any member is a grief to him; the suffering of any limb impairs his joy. Could we more often place ourselves in thought in his position, we should quickly abate aught that lessens the unity and power of the body of Christ. Every pastor of a flock, every teacher of a class, has to think of the effect of his example, lest what he might enjoy without risk himself should exert a dangerous influence on others. It is more blessed to yield than to receive a concession. S.R.A.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv19, 21 Let us therefore follow after the things which make…
Rom_14:19-20
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace.
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Things which make for peace
I. What these things are.
1. Righteousness.
2. Humility.
3. Love.
4. Faith.
II. We must follow them.
1. Earnestly.
2. Prayerfully.
3. With steady faith in our ultimate attainment of them.
III. The result. Eternal life in heaven with God and Christ. (J. H. Tarson.)
The things which make for peace
1. A peaceable temper.
2. Peaceable measures.
3. Peaceable methods.
Things to be sought after
I. Things which make for peace.
1. Essentials in which we all agree.
2. Objects which we all desire.
3. Blessings in which all can share.
II. Things that edify.
1. Knowledge.
2. Faith.
3. Love. (J. Lyth, D.D.)
The endeavours of the true Christian for the welfare of his brethren
I. Wherein they consist. Endeavours after--
1. Peace.
2. Edification.
II. What are the common hindrances? Offences which--
1. Destroy mutual confidence.
2. Injure weak consciences.
III. How are they to be overcome.
1. By avoiding the occasions of offence.
2. By encouraging in others the growth of faith.
3. By abstaining from everything that might lead another to act in opposition to his own conscience. (J. Lyth, D.D.)
For meat destroy not the work of God.--
Thy weak brother
I. Weak as he is, is a work of god.
II. May easily be destroyed; for--
1. Though all things are pure--
2. They may become a cause of offence--
3. Especially to him that is weak.
III. Therefore abstain.
1. The enjoyment is little.
2. The consequence dreadful to contemplate.
3. The sacrifice noble. (J. Lyth, D.D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv19–21 19–23. Let us therefore follow … peace. Hence, charitably…
19–23. Let us therefore follow … peace. Hence, charitably yield what grieves a brother. May edify. Build up and make strong. Compare 1 Thess. 5:11.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v19 Rom_14:20.—The work of God is the faith of a…
CRITICAL NOTES
Rom_14:20.—The work of God is the faith of a fellow-Christian.
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Rom_14:21.—Three forms of spiritual damage, corresponding with the three blessings in Rom_14:17, which are prejudiced by them.
Rom_14:22.—κρίνω, to judge, question, doubt, condemn; and δοκιμάζω, to approve, finely express in their combination the doubting conscience.
Rom_14:23. He that doubteth is damned.—Condemned by his conscience, his brethren, and God. We must submit undoubtingly to the recognised will of God. The man eats sinfully who eats doubtfully. Happy the man who has faith and an approving conscience.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Rom_14:19-23
Pursuit and retreat.—In Christian warfare it is well to know when to pursue and when to retreat. We must not endanger success by any rash methods. We must consider, not only our own welfare, but the well-being of the whole Christian community. We must remember that we are parts of a whole, and must consider the proper ordering of the parts, so as to promote the successful edification of the whole. Let us then inquire:—
I. What are we to follow?—The answer to this question is to be given not from a worldly but a Christian standpoint—that is, the standpoint of an enlightened Christian, of one who is not for self, for self’s party, for self’s little sect, but for the Christian state in its widest aspect. Peace is to be followed. Not peace at any price, not peace at the sacrifice of principle. The follower of the little sect says, Just so; but how often are his principles mere crotchets? Externals are not unimportant, but peace is supreme. Edification is to be pursued. The temple will not rise if the workmen spend their time and energies in quarrelling over the shape and position of the stones. Mutual edification is too often sacrificed at the bidding of self-glorification. A man gets hold of some side aspect of the truth, or rather it gets hold of him, and he pursues it to the damage of the spiritual building. Selfish workers cannot succeed in the edification of Christ’s great temple.
II. What are we to avoid?—The answer to this question has to do, not with the Christian’s relation to the moral law, to his fellow-men as citizens of earth, but to his fellow-men as members of the invisible Church, though there are many things to be avoided which even strong faith may allow, from the consideration that their adopt on may do harm to the though less and inconsiderate. It may be good and expedient to abstain from intoxicating beverages, to withdraw from certain modern amusements, to refuse complicity with many modern customs and practices, so as to raise the general moral tone. It is certainly good neither to eat flesh nor to drink wine, if by doing so the Christian brother is either offended or made to stumble.
III. What does the strong Christian treasure in secret?—His mighty faith, which does not mean either his articles of belief or his personal hold on the things and beings invisible. It may mean his large and enlightened view. This is the day of so-called large and enlightened views, and men parade their shop windows, which are well dressed sometimes, while the shop is poor and scanty. Intolerant men make a noise about tolerance. We want more reserve on some things and more openness on other things. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Art thou above the shibboleth of parties? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. This freedom from condemnation is not always rightly founded. It springs sometimes from ignorance, sometimes from indifference, and sometimes from carelessness as to the rights of others. Happy is the man who enjoys freedom from condemnation which is rightly originated.
IV. What must all Christians shun?—The one great answer is sin—a word of large significance. “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” What the enlightened conscience does not approve is sin. “Whatsoever is not of faith.” Grounded on convictions. But are all convictions infallible? Certainly not. Convictions must be formed in the light of divine truth. Let the converging rays of all light centres bear upon my mind, so that I may form right views. It I doubt, I must refrain from the doubtful course; if I am fully and rightly persuaded, then I must steadfastly and joyfully walk along the appointed pathway. Let us avoid the appearance of evil. Let the strong be tender towards the weak, while the weak do not carp at the strong. Let the desire for peace be strong. Let all thoughts and energies be devoted to the edification of God’s great spiritual temple, which shall overtop and outlast the gorgeous temples of time.
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 14
Rom_14:19. Sir Thomas Burnet thinking of the things which make for peace.—Sir Thomas Burnet, the third son of Bishop Burnet, led at one time a dissipated life. At last he took a serious turn, and one evening his father observing him to be very thoughtful asked what he was meditating. “A greater work,” replied he, “than your lordship’s History of the Reformation.” “Ay,” said his lordship, “what is that?” “The reformation of myself,” said the young man. He fulfilled his promise, and he afterwards became one of the best lawyers of his time, and in 1741 one of the judges in the Court of Common Pleas.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On vv19, 21 19, 20. “Do not destroy the work of God…
19, 20. “Do not destroy the work of God on account of meat. All things are pure, but it is evil to the man who eateth with offense.
William B. Godbey, Commentary on the New Testament (1896–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On vv19–21 So then let us follow after things which make…
So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another . [Humanly prescribed and wholly external ordinances neither usher us into the kingdom nor increase its power within us, nor does the failure to observe them exclude us from it. Its blessings are not linked to sumptuary liberties, but are found in graces socially applied; in righteousness toward God; justice toward our neighbor; peace, or concord and harmony, with all; joy, or expressions of loving happiness prompted in us by the Holy Spirit, the source of all grace: these are the things which work the advance and glorification of the kingdom both within us and about us. These, then, are the habits of life which please both God who reads the heart, and man who looks upon the outward conduct, and, moreover, build up the kingdom.]
J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v19 Avoid all offense:
Avoid all offense:
v. 19. Let us, therefore, follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
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v. 20. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offense.
v. 21. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
v. 22. Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he allows.
v. 23. And he that doubts is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Paul now draws a conclusion which is applicable to all conditions and circumstances of Christians: Let us now follow after the things which pertain to peace and to one another’s edification. Everything that brings about and preserves peace, everything that results in mutual edification, should be earnestly pursued and promoted by the Christians at all times. Because through Christ we have peace with God, we want to serve Him in this way, that we live together in peace and edify one another in faith and conduct, instead of quarreling and harming one another. And therefore Paul repeats the thought of v. 15: Do not on account of food destroy the work of God. If we, instead of edifying, building up our fellow Christian in faith, in his spiritual life, tear down the work of God, the spiritual temple, in his heart, and this on account of some paltry food, we certainly become guilty in His sight. It is true indeed that all things are pure, every kind of food is in itself clean and will not produce spiritual uncleanness; but they are all bad and objectionable in the case of him that eats of them with offense, with a bad conscience. Therefore we dare not tempt and lead a brother to do what he believes to be wrong, thus destroying the work of God in him. If our conduct causes our weak brother to eat with offense, to partake of what he esteems impure, then our behavior is harmful, objectionable. On the other hand, it is proper, praiseworthy, not to eat meat nor to drink wine nor to do anything at which our brother takes offense, v. 21. As in the case of meat, so it was with wine in those days: many of the weaker Christians may have feared its use on account of the fact that it may have been used in sacrifices to idols. It is not so much the question of doing the right thing for one’s own person as to avoid doing wrong to one’s weak brother; hence the admonition of the apostle. This is held before us in the next sentence: The faith that thou hast have with thyself before God. The form of the sentence is emphatic: So far as thou art concerned, thou hast the firm confidence, the unshakable conviction, that in eating meat and drinking wine thou art doing right before God. The stronger brethren were not required to make a concession of principle or to renounce the truth; all that was asked of them was that they use their liberty in a considerate and charitable manner. Their conviction they could hold just the same in the sight of God; it was not to be paraded to the injury of someone else, for God would see and recognize it.
And so Paul concludes: Happy is he that does not condemn himself in that which he approves of. The strong in faith uses food and drink of all kinds, also meat and wine. And it must be a source of great satisfaction and happiness to him if he has the conviction of a free conscience and is sure that he is doing right. It is fortunate if one can make use of all the gifts of God without reproaching himself. But what evil consequences it may have if someone makes a tactless use of his Christian liberty and thus offends his weak brother, is shown in the last sentence: But he that holds doubts when he eats is condemned, since it is not of faith; everything, however, which is not of faith is sin. If the weaker Christian comes to that point that he wavers and doubts, he may finally, before coming to the right understanding, follow the example of the stronger Christian and thus at last eat and drink what in his conscience he still condemns. But such a violation of conscience cannot be reconciled with faith, since it is not done with the certainty that it is right, with the certainty of the conviction based upon knowledge. But whatever a person does without being certain that he does the right thing in so doing, whatever a person indulges in with the fear that it probably is wrong, that is sin. "Any and every action of man of which he is not convinced that it is in conformity with the will of God is sinful."
Summary
The apostle admonishes the weak not to condemn the others, the strong in faith, not to despise the weak nor to give them any offense, and both parties to strive after that which promotes peace and mutual edification.
The Christian’s Conduct in Things Indifferent
The admonition which St. Paul gave to the weak in faith in the congregation at Rome as well as to their stronger brethren is the most complete instruction which we have as to the use of things indifferent, such as are in themselves harmless, but may under circumstances become sin. For this was the point of distinction between the strong and weak in the congregation that the former made use of their Christian liberty and believed that all the gifts of God could be enjoyed, while the latter were in doubt concerning the eating of meat and the drinking of wine, and were always battling with a bad conscience.
Now it is very true that the things indifferent lie in neutral territory; they are neither commanded nor prohibited. But from this it does not follow that a Christian in his dealing with these matters leaves his Christian status and assumes a neutral position. A Christian serves the Lord and is the Lord’s even when he eats and drinks and sleeps; he lives to the Lord and dies to the Lord, and his sanctification embraces his whole life. So long as things indifferent concern the individual Christian only, he has the right to act as he sees fit and right. He must, of course, be fully persuaded in his own mind that he is serving the Lord in the form of action which he chooses.
A difference with regard to things indifferent has no effect upon the relation of believers to Christ, nor should it have any influence upon brotherly affection and mutual understanding. Uniformity in things indifferent is not essential for the unity of the Church. And since the apostle seeks to preserve peace in the congregation at Rome, he admonishes both parties to regard each other as brothers in spite of this difference; he warns them against carping criticism and condemnation. And the same admonition and warning is in order today in all cases where there is an evident disagreement in matters concerning which the Lord has not fixed a rule. The proper procedure in such a case is to respect the opinion of the other. For matters of this nature should not interfere with the peace of the Church, if only the Christians are agreed in matters of faith and of obedience to the Word of God, and thus live with one another in peace and love. Criticism is justified and should be applied only in case some brother teaches or lives otherwise than the Word of God teaches. To keep the peace in such a case would mean open opposition to, and denial of, the command of God. But where a matter is left undecided in the Word of God, there differences of opinion are justified, and every one must stand or fall unto his own Lord. Of course, the brother that is troubled with an erring conscience may be instructed with all patience, in order to take his foolish scruples from him; but if he cannot be convinced, he must finally be permitted to continue in his ideas. Under circumstances, things indifferent will remain things indifferent for an indefinite period.
But under other circumstances a matter indifferent may cease to belong in this category. If a Christian is bothered with scruples of conscience concerning the use of a certain thing whose use is neither commanded nor prohibited by God, if he believes that indulgence in this matter will not serve his spiritual life and his soul’s salvation, then the use of such a thing while his conscience is in a state of doubt is to him a sin. And if another Christian, whose conscience is stronger and freer, uses his Christian liberty in such a way as to forget all consideration for his weaker brother, doing something which is not in itself wrong, but which offends his weaker brother, then he sins in setting aside charity. At the same time it is altogether right and proper, under circumstances even demanded, that we insist upon our Christian liberty over against such people as, in spite of better knowledge, endeavor to bind our consciences with the fetters of the Law. It is self-evident, also, that Christians will always examine whether the matter in question is really a matter of indifference before the holy God. lest sinful joys and practices be placed upon the free list.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v20 Do not destroy the work of God because of…
Do not destroy the work of God because of food
You can make explicit the full meaning of this sentence. AT: "Do not undo what God has done for a fellow believer just because you want to eat a certain kind of food" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
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but it is evil for that person who eats and causes him to stumble
Here anything that "causes him to stumble" means it causes a weaker brother to do something that is against his conscience. AT: "but it would be a sin for someone to eat food, which another brother thinks is wrong to eat, if by eating this causes the weaker brother to do something that is against his conscience" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
It is good not to eat meat, nor to drink wine, nor anything by which your brother takes offense
"It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that might cause your brother to sin"
brother
Here this means a fellow Christian, male or female.
your
This refers to the strong in faith and "brother" refers to the weak in faith.
translationWords
God
clean
evil
stumble
wine
brother
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv20–21 14:20 The work of God refers both to the…
14:20 The work of God refers both to the spiritual life of other Christians (14:15) and to the Christian community itself (14:19). The strong, with their dogged insistence on doing whatever they want, create division and disrupt God’s intention to build a healthy and united community of believers.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.