Romans 14:1-15:13

Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Law of Liberty

14 Accept^(A) anyone who is weak in faith,^[a](B) but don’t argue about doubtful issues. ² One person believes he may eat anything,^(C) but one who is weak eats only vegetables. ³ One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat,^(D) and one who does not eat must not criticize one who does,^(E) because God has accepted him.^{(F) 4} Who are you to criticize^(G) another’s household slave? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand. For the Lord is able^[b] to make him stand.

⁵ One person considers one day to be above another day.^(H) Someone else considers every day to be the same. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind.^{(I) 6} Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honor of the Lord.^[c] Whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God;^(J) and whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat it, yet he thanks God. ⁷ For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.^{(K) 8} If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.^{(L) 9} Christ died and came to life^(M) for this: that He might rule over both the dead and the living.^{(N) 10} But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the tribunal of God.^{[d](O) 11} For it is written:

¹² So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.^(R)

The Law of Love

¹³ Therefore, let us no longer criticize one another.^(S) Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in your brother’s way.^{(T) 14} (I know and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself.^(U) Still, to someone who considers a thing to be unclean, to that one it is unclean.^(V)) ¹⁵ For if your brother is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love.^(W) Do not destroy that one Christ died for by what you eat.^{(X) 16} Therefore, do not let your good be slandered,^{(Y) 17} for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking,^(Z) but righteousness, peace, and joy^(AA) in the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ Whoever serves Christ^(AB) in this way is acceptable to God and approved by men.^(AC)

¹⁹ So then, we must pursue what promotes peace^(AD) and what builds up one another.^{(AE) 20} Do not tear down God’s work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong for a man to cause stumbling by what he eats.^{(AF) 21} It is a noble thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother stumble.^{[f] 22} Do you have a conviction?^[g] Keep it to yourself before God. The man who does not condemn himself by what he approves is blessed.^{(AG) 23} But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats,^(AH) because his eating is not from a conviction,^[h] and everything that is not from a conviction^[i] is sin.

Pleasing Others, Not Ourselves

15 Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength,^(AI) and not to please ourselves. ² Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.^{(AJ) 3} For even the Messiah did not please Himself.^(AK) On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.^{(AL)[j] 4} For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction,^(AM) so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. ⁵ Now may the God who gives^[k] endurance and encouragement^(AN) allow you to live in harmony with one another,^(AO) according to the command of Christ Jesus, ⁶ so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ^(AP) with a united mind and voice.

Glorifying God Together

⁷ Therefore accept one another,^(AQ) just as the Messiah also accepted you, to the glory of God. ⁸ For I say that the Messiah became a servant of the circumcised^[l] on behalf of God’s truth,^(AR) to confirm the promises to the fathers,^{(AS) 9} and so that Gentiles^(AT) may glorify God for His mercy.^(AU) As it is written:

¹⁰ Again it says: Rejoice, you Gentiles, with His people!^{(AW)[n] 11} And again:

¹² And again, Isaiah says:

¹³ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him^(BA) so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.^(BB)