Do Not Cause Another to Stumble

13 (A)Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide (B)never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus (C)that nothing is unclean in itself, (D)but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, (E)you are no longer walking in love. (F)By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 (G)So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 (H)For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but (I)of righteousness and (J)peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is (K)acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us (L)pursue what makes for peace and for (M)mutual upbuilding.

20 (N)Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. (O)Everything is indeed clean, but (P)it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 (Q)It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.[a] 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. (R)Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.[b]

The Example of Christ

15 (S)We who are strong (T)have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (U)Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For (V)Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, (W)“The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For (X)whatever was written in former days was written for our (Y)instruction, that through endurance and through (Z)the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you (AA)to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify (AB)the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 14:21 Some manuscripts add or be hindered or be weakened
  2. Romans 14:23 Some manuscripts insert here 16:25–27

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment(A) on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.(B) 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.(C) But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.(D) 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love.(E) Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.(F) 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.(G) 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,(H) but of righteousness, peace(I) and joy in the Holy Spirit,(J) 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.(K)

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace(L) and to mutual edification.(M) 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.(N) All food is clean,(O) but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.(P) 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.(Q)

22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn(R) himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts(S) is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.[a]

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak(T) and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good,(U) to build them up.(V) For even Christ did not please himself(W) but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[b](X) For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,(Y) so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind(Z) toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify(AA) the God and Father(AB) of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Accept one another,(AC) then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 14:23 Some manuscripts place 16:25-27 here; others after 15:33.
  2. Romans 15:3 Psalm 69:9