Romans 14 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
FBV Free Bible Version
WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
PT1904 Patriarchal Text 1904 (accented, eBible edition)
1 Accept those who are still struggling to trust in God, and don't get into arguments over personal opinions.
1 Now accept one who is weak in faith, but not for disputes over opinions.
1 Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαμβάνεσθε, μὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισμῶν.
2 One person may believe they can eat anything, while another whose trust is weak only eats vegetables.
2 One man has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.
2 ὃς μὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει.
3 Those who eat anything must not look down on those who won't, and those who won't eat must not criticize those who do—for God has accepted them both.
3 Don’t let him who eats despise him who doesn’t eat. Don’t let him who doesn’t eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.
3 ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω· ὁ Θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο.
4 What right do you have to judge someone else's servant? It's their own master who decides whether they are right or wrong. With the Lord's help they will be able to take their stand for right.
4 Who are you who judge another’s servant? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for God has power to make him stand.
4 σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; τῷ ἰδίῳ Κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει· σταθήσεται δέ· δυνατὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ Θεὸς στῆσαι αὐτόν.
5 Some people consider some days more important than others, while others consider each day the same. Everyone should be completely convinced in their own minds.
5 One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.
5 ὃς μὲν κρίνει ἡμέραν παρ᾽ ἡμέραν, ὃς δὲ κρίνει πᾶσαν ἡμέραν. ἕκαστος ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ νοῒ πληροφορείσθω.
6 Those who respect a special day do so for the Lord; and those who eat without worrying do so for the Lord since they give thanks to God; while those who avoid eating certain things do so for the Lord, and they also give thanks to God.
6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. He who doesn’t eat, to the Lord he doesn’t eat, and gives God thanks.
6 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.
7 None of us live for ourselves, or die for ourselves.
7 For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself.
7 οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἡμῶν ἑαυτῷ ζῇ καὶ οὐδεὶς ἑαυτῷ ἀποθνήσκει·
8 If we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord—so whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
8 For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
8 ἐάν τε γὰρ ζῶμεν, τῷ Κυρίῳ ζῶμεν, ἐάν τε ἀποθνήσκωμεν, τῷ Κυρίῳ ἀποθνήσκομεν. ἐάν τε οὖν ζῶμεν ἐάν τε ἀποθνήσκωμεν, τοῦ Κυρίου ἐσμέν.
9 This was the reason Christ died and came back to life—so that he could be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
9 For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
9 εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ Χριστὸς καὶ ἀπέθανε καὶ ἀνέστη καὶ ἔζησεν, ἵνα καὶ νεκρῶν καὶ ζώντων κυριεύσῃ.
10 So why do you criticize your fellow-believer? Why do you despise your fellow-believer? For all of us will stand before God's throne of judgment.
10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
10 Σὺ δὲ τί κρίνεις τὸν ἀδελφόν σου; ἢ καὶ σὺ τί ἐξουθενεῖς τὸν ἀδελφόν σου; πάντες γὰρ παραστησόμεθα τῷ βήματι τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
11 For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I am alive,’ the Lord says, ‘Every knee shall bow before me, and every tongue will declare that I am God.’”
11 For it is written, “‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to God.’”
11 γέγραπται γάρ· ζῶ ἐγώ, λέγει Κύριος, ὅτι ἐμοὶ κάμψει πᾶν γόνυ, καὶ πᾶσα γλῶσσα ἐξομολογήσεται τῷ Θεῷ.
12 So every one of us will have to explain ourselves to God.
12 So then each one of us will give account of himself to God.
12 ἄρα οὖν ἕκαστος ἡμῶν περὶ ἑαυτοῦ λόγον δώσει τῷ Θεῷ.
13 Therefore let's not judge each other anymore, but decide to do this instead—we won't put obstacles in the way of fellow-believers, or cause them to fall.
13 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.
13 Μηκέτι οὖν ἀλλήλους κρίνωμεν, ἀλλὰ τοῦτο κρίνατε μᾶλλον, τὸ μὴ τιθέναι πρόσκομμα τῷ ἀδελφῷ ἢ σκάνδαλον.
14 I'm certain—persuaded by the Lord Jesus—that nothing in itself is ceremonially unclean. But if someone considers it to be unclean, to them it is unclean.
14 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.
14 οἶδα καὶ πέπεισμαι ἐν Κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ ὅτι οὐδὲν κοινὸν δι᾽ αὐτοῦ· εἰ μὴ τῷ λογιζομένῳ τι κοινὸν εἶναι, ἐκείνῳ κοινόν.
15 If your fellow-believer is hurt by you over matters of food, then you're no longer behaving in a loving way. Don't destroy someone for whom Christ died by the food you choose to eat.
15 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.
15 εἰ δὲ διὰ βρῶμα ὁ ἀδελφός σου λυπεῖται, οὐκέτι κατὰ ἀγάπην περιπατεῖς. μὴ τῷ βρώματί σου ἐκεῖνον ἀπόλλυε, ὑπὲρ οὗ Χριστὸς ἀπέθανε.
16 Don't let the good things you do be misrepresented—
16 Then don’t let your good be slandered,
16 μὴ βλασφημείσθω οὖν ὑμῶν τὸ ἀγαθόν.
17 for God's kingdom is not about eating and drinking, but about living right, having peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
17 for God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
17 οὐ γάρ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ βρῶσις καὶ πόσις, ἀλλὰ δικαιοσύνη καὶ εἰρήνη καὶ χαρὰ ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ·
18 Anyone who serves Christ in this way pleases God, and is appreciated by others.
18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
18 ὁ γὰρ ἐν τούτοις δουλεύων τῷ Χριστῷ εὐάρεστος τῷ Θεῷ καὶ δόκιμος τοῖς ἀνθρώποις.
19 So let's pursue the path of peace, and find ways to encourage each other.
19 So then, let’s follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up.
19 ἄρα οὖν τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης διώκωμεν καὶ τὰ τῆς οἰκοδομῆς τῆς εἰς ἀλλήλους.
20 Don't destroy the work of God with arguments over food. Everything is clean—but it would be wrong to eat and offend others.
20 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.
20 μὴ ἕνεκεν βρώματος κατάλυε τὸ ἔργον τοῦ Θεοῦ. πάντα μὲν καθαρά, ἀλλὰ κακὸν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τῷ διὰ προσκόμματος ἐσθίοντι.
21 It's better not to eat meat or drink wine or anything else that would cause your fellow-believer to stumble.
21 It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak.
21 καλὸν τὸ μὴ φαγεῖν κρέα μηδὲ πιεῖν οἶνον μηδὲ ἐν ᾧ ὁ ἀδελφός σου προσκόπτει ἢ σκανδαλίζεται ἢ ἀσθενεῖ.
22 What you personally believe is between you and God. Happy are those who don't condemn themselves for doing what they think is right!
22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who doesn’t judge himself in that which he approves.
22 σὺ πίστιν ἔχεις; κατὰ σεαυτὸν ἔχε ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ. μακάριος ὁ μὴ κρίνων ἑαυτὸν ἐν ᾧ δοκιμάζει.
23 But if you have doubts whether it's right or wrong to eat something, then you shouldn't, because you're not convinced it's right. Whatever isn't based on conviction is sin.
23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn’t of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin.
23 ὁ δὲ διακρινόμενος ἐὰν φάγῃ, κατακέκριται, ὅτι οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως· πᾶν δὲ ὃ οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως, ἁμαρτία ἐστίν.
24 Not in this translation
24 Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages,
24 Τῷ δὲ δυναμένῳ ὑμᾶς στηρίξαι κατὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιόν μου καὶ τὸ κήρυγμα Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, κατὰ ἀποκάλυψιν μυστηρίου χρόνοις αἰωνίοις σεσιγημένου,
25 Not in this translation
25 but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations;
25 φανερωθέντος δὲ νῦν, διά τε γραφῶν προφητικῶν κατ᾽ ἐπιταγὴν τοῦ αἰωνίου Θεοῦ εἰς ὑπακοὴν πίστεως εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη γνωρισθέντος,
26 Not in this translation
26 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.
26 μόνῳ σοφῷ Θεῷ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας· ἀμήν.
Cross references (23)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Romans 15:1; 1 Corinthians 8:7–13; 1 Corinthians 9:22; Romans 15:7; Romans 14:21
- 2 1 Timothy 4:4; Proverbs 15:17; Romans 14:14; Galatians 2:12; Romans 14:22–23
- 3 Romans 14:10; Colossians 2:16–17; Luke 18:9; Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 10:29–30
- 4 James 4:11–12; Romans 9:20; Romans 8:31–39; Jude 24; 1 Corinthians 4:4–5
- 5 Colossians 2:16–17; Galatians 4:9–10; Romans 14:23; 1 Corinthians 8:7; 1 John 3:19–21
- 6 1 Corinthians 10:30–31; 1 Timothy 4:3–5; John 6:28; Matthew 14:19; Isaiah 58:5
- 7 1 Peter 4:2; 2 Corinthians 5:15; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Titus 2:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:10
- 8 Philippians 1:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; Acts 21:13; 1 Corinthians 15:23; Revelation 14:13
- 9 Revelation 1:18; Luke 24:26; Hebrews 12:2; John 5:22–23; Ephesians 1:20–23
- 10 2 Corinthians 5:10; Ecclesiastes 12:14; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Romans 2:16; Romans 14:3–4
- 11 Isaiah 45:22–25; Philippians 2:10–11; Psalm 72:11; Romans 10:9; Matthew 10:32
- 12 Matthew 12:36; 1 Peter 4:5; Matthew 16:27; Galatians 6:5; Ecclesiastes 11:9
- 13 2 Corinthians 6:3; 1 Corinthians 8:9–13; James 4:11; Luke 17:2; Romans 16:17
- 14 Titus 1:15; 1 Timothy 4:4; Romans 14:2; 1 Corinthians 8:7; Acts 10:14–15
- 15 1 Corinthians 8:11–12; Galatians 5:13; Philippians 2:2–4; Romans 14:20; 1 Corinthians 8:1
- 16 1 Corinthians 10:29–30; Romans 12:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 2 Corinthians 8:20–21
- 17 Matthew 6:33; Romans 15:13; 1 Corinthians 4:20; 1 Corinthians 8:8; Galatians 5:22
- 18 2 Corinthians 8:21; 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Peter 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Thessalonians 1:3–4
- 19 Romans 12:18; Ephesians 4:29; Psalm 34:14; Romans 15:2; Hebrews 12:14
- 20 Romans 14:14–15; Matthew 18:6; Titus 1:15; Acts 10:15; 1 Corinthians 10:31–33
- 21 1 Corinthians 8:13; Romans 14:13; Romans 15:1–2; Luke 17:1–2; Matthew 16:23
- 22 1 John 3:21; Romans 14:5; James 3:13; Galatians 6:1; Romans 14:23
- 23 Hebrews 11:6; Titus 1:15; 1 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 11:29–31; Romans 14:5
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
I Am aware that to most what is here said is a difficulty. And therefore I must first give the subject of the whole of this passage, and what he wishes to correct in writing this. What does he wish to correct then?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 11 (1889)
If then we entreat the Lord to forgive us, we ought also ourselves to forgive; for we are before the eyes of our Lord and God, and "we must all appear at the judgment-seat of Christ, and must every one give an account of himself." Let us then serve Him in fear, and with all reverence, even as He Himself …
… hath raised Him from the dead, thou shall be saved." And he renders the reason why the Son of God did these things, saying, "For to this end Christ both lived, and died, and revived, that He might rule over the living and the dead." And again, writing to the Corinthians, he declares, "But we preach Christ Jesus crucified;" and …
This it was, verily, "Him that is weak in the faith, receive ye;" which he applied to himself, and discovered to me.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
Because Paul also saith this selfsame thing: or rather, there too it is Christ, speaking by Paul, and saying, "Why dost thou judge thy brother?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)