Romans 14 - 1 Corinthians 4

Christian Standard Bible

The Law of Liberty

14 Welcome^(A) anyone who is weak in faith,^(B) but don’t argue about disputed matters. ² One person believes he may eat anything,^(C) while 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 judge one who does,^(E) because God has accepted him.^{(F) 4} Who are you to judge^(G) another’s household servant? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand, because the Lord is able^[a] to make him stand.

⁵ One person judges one day to be more important than another day.^(H) Someone else judges every day to be the same. Let each one be fully convinced in his own mind.^{(I) 6} Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honor of the Lord.^[b] 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, and he gives thanks to God. ⁷ For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for 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 returned to life^(M) for this: that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living.^{(N) 10} But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.^{[c](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 judge one another.^(S) Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister.^{(T) 14} I know and am persuaded in 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 or sister is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love.^(W) Do not destroy, by what you eat, someone for whom Christ died.^{(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 receives human approval.^(AC)

¹⁹ So then, let us 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 to make someone fall by what he eats.^{(AF) 21} It is a good thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble.^{[e] 22} Whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.^{(AG) 23} But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats,^(AH) because his eating is not from faith,^[f] and everything that is not from faith 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 is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.^{(AJ) 3} For even Christ did not please himself.^(AK) On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.^{[g](AL) 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^[h] endurance and encouragement^(AN) grant you to live in harmony with one another,^(AO) according to Christ Jesus, ⁶ so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ^(AP) with one mind and one voice.

Glorifying God Together

⁷ Therefore welcome one another,^(AQ) just as^[i] Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God. ⁸ For I say that Christ became a servant of the circumcised^[j] 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!^{[l](AW) 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^(BA) so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.^(BB)

From Jerusalem to Illyricum

¹⁴ My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness,^(BC) filled with all knowledge,^(BD) and able to instruct one another. ¹⁵ Nevertheless, I have written to remind you more boldly on some points^[o] because of the grace given me by God^{(BE) 16} to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles,^(BF) serving as a priest of the gospel of God.^(BG) God’s purpose is that the Gentiles may be an acceptable offering,^(BH) sanctified by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷ Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus^(BI) regarding what pertains to God.^{(BJ) 18} For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me^(BK) by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles, ¹⁹ by the power of miraculous signs and wonders,^(BL) and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem^(BM) all the way around to Illyricum.^{[p](BN) 20} My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named,^(BO) so that I will not build on someone else’s foundation,^{(BP) 21} but, as it is written,

Paul’s Travel Plans

²² That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you.^{(BR) 23} But now I no longer have any work to do in these regions,^[r] and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you^{(BS) 24} whenever I travel to Spain.^[s] For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for my journey there,^(BT) once I have first enjoyed your company^(BU) for a while. ²⁵ Right now I am traveling to Jerusalem^(BV) to serve the saints,^{(BW) 26} because Macedonia^(BX) and Achaia^(BY) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. ²⁷ Yes, they were pleased, and indeed are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits,^(BZ) then they are obligated to minister to them in material needs. ²⁸ So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds^[t] to them,^[u](CA) I will visit you on the way to Spain. ²⁹ I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing^[v] of Christ.

³⁰ Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit,^(CB) to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf.^{(CC) 31} Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea,^(CD) that my ministry to^[w] Jerusalem^(CE) may be acceptable to the saints,^{(CF) 32} and that, by God’s will,^(CG) I may come to you with joy^(CH) and be refreshed together with you.

³³ May the God of peace be with all of you.^(CI) Amen.

Paul’s Commendation of Phoebe

16 I commend to you^(CJ) our sister Phoebe, who is a servant^[x] of the church in Cenchreae.^{(CK) 2} So you should welcome her in the Lord^(CL) in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many—and of me also.

Greeting to Roman Christians

³ Give my greetings to Prisca^[y] and Aquila,^(CM) my coworkers in^(CN) Christ Jesus,^{(CO) 4} who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. ⁵ Greet also the church that meets in their home.^(CP) Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who is the first convert^[z](CQ) to Christ from Asia.^{[aa](CR) 6} Greet Mary,^[ab] who has worked very hard for you.^{[ac] 7} Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews^[ad](CS) and fellow prisoners.^(CT) They are noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles,^[ae] and they were also in Christ before me. ⁸ Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. ⁹ Greet Urbanus, our coworker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. ¹⁰ Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.^{(CU) 11} Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.^[af] Greet those who belong to the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. ¹² Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord. ¹³ Greet Rufus,^(CV) chosen in the Lord; also his mother—and mine. ¹⁴ Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. ¹⁵ Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.^{(CW) 16} Greet one another with a holy kiss.^(CX) All the churches of Christ send you greetings.

Warning against Divisive People

¹⁷ Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned.^(CY) Avoid them,^{(CZ) 18} because such people do not serve our Lord Christ^(DA) but their own appetites.^[ag](DB) They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.^(DC)

Paul’s Gracious Conclusion

¹⁹ The report of your obedience has reached everyone.^(DD) Therefore I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil.^{(DE) 20} The God of peace^(DF) will soon crush Satan^(DG) under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.^(DH)

²¹ Timothy,^(DI) my coworker, and Lucius,^(DJ) Jason,^(DK) and Sosipater,^(DL) my fellow countrymen, greet you.

²² I, Tertius, who wrote this letter,^(DM) greet you in the Lord.^[ah]

²³ Gaius,^(DN) who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus,^(DO) the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus greet you.^[ai]

Glory to God

²⁵ Now to him who is able to strengthen you^(DP) according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ,^(DQ) according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent^(DR) for long ages^{(DS) 26} but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures,^(DT) according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith^(DU) among all the Gentiles— ²⁷ to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ—to him be the glory forever!^[aj](DV) Amen.

Greeting

1 Paul,^(DW) called as an apostle^(DX) of Christ Jesus by God’s will,^(DY) and Sosthenes our brother:^(DZ)

² To the church of God at Corinth,^(EA) to those sanctified^(EB) in Christ Jesus, called^(EC) as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name^(ED) of Jesus Christ our Lord—both their Lord and ours.

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father^(EE) and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving

⁴ I always thank^(EF) my God for you because of the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus, ⁵ that you were enriched in him^(EG) in every way, in all speech and all knowledge.^{(EH) 6} In this way, the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you,^{(EI) 7} so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait^(EJ) for the revelation^(EK) of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸ He will also strengthen you to the end,^(EL) so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(EM) 9} God is faithful;^(EN) you were called by him^(EO) into fellowship with his Son,^(EP) Jesus Christ our Lord.

Divisions at Corinth

¹⁰ Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. ¹¹ For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by members of Chloe’s people, that there is rivalry^(EQ) among you. ¹² What I am saying is this: One of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”^(ER) or “I belong to Cephas,”^(ES) or “I belong to Christ.”^{(ET) 13} Is Christ divided?^(EU) Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name? ¹⁴ I thank God^[ak][al] that I baptized none of you except Crispus^(EV) and Gaius,^{(EW) 15} so that no one can say you were baptized in my name. ¹⁶ I did, in fact, baptize the household^(EX) of Stephanas;^(EY) beyond that, I don’t recall if I baptized anyone else. ¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross^(EZ) of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God

¹⁸ For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.^{(FA) 19} For it is written,

²⁰ Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law?^[an] Where is the debater of this age?^(FC) Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? ²¹ For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached. ²² For the Jews ask for signs^(FD) and the Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified,^(FE) a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.^{[ao] 24} Yet to those who are called,^(FF) both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, ²⁵ because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

Boasting Only in the Lord

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective,^[ap] not many powerful,^(FG) not many of noble birth. ²⁷ Instead, God has chosen^(FH) what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world^(FI)—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, ²⁹ so that no one^[aq] may boast in his presence.^{(FJ) 30} It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness,^(FK) sanctification,^(FL) and redemption^(FM)— ³¹ in order that, as it is written:^(FN) Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.^[ar](FO)

Paul’s Proclamation

2 When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery^[as] of God to you, I did not come with brilliance^(FP) of speech^(FQ) or wisdom. ² I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.^{(FR) 3} I came to you in weakness,^(FS) in fear,^(FT) and in much trembling.^{(FU) 4} My speech^(FV) and my preaching were not with persuasive^(FW) words of wisdom^[at] but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, ⁵ so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.^(FX)

Spiritual Wisdom

⁶ We do, however, speak a wisdom among the mature,^(FY) but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers^(FZ) of this age, who are coming to nothing.^{(GA) 7} On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined^(GB) before the ages for our glory.^{(GC) 8} None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.^{(GD) 9} But as it is written,

¹⁰ Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, since the Spirit searches everything,^(GF) even the depths of God.^{(GG) 11} For who knows a person’s thoughts^[av] except his spirit^(GH) within him? In the same way, no one knows^(GI) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. ¹³ We also speak these things, not in words^(GJ) taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.^{[aw] 14} But the person without the Spirit^[ax] does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated^[ay] spiritually. ¹⁵ The spiritual person, however, can evaluate^[az] everything, and yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. ¹⁶ For

But we have the mind of Christ.^(GL)

The Problem of Immaturity

3 For my part, brothers and sisters, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ.^{(GM) 2} I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, ³ because you are still worldly. For since there is envy^(GN) and strife^[bb](GO) among you, are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans? ⁴ For whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,”^(GP) are you not acting like mere humans?

The Role of God’s Servants

⁵ What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. ⁶ I planted,^(GQ) Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. ⁷ So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. ⁸ Now he who plants and he who waters are one,^[bc] and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. ⁹ For we are God’s coworkers.^[bd] You are God’s field, God’s building.^(GR)

¹⁰ According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder,^[be] and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation^(GS) other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver,^(GT) costly stones,^(GU) wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire;^(GV) the fire will test the quality of each one’s work.^{(GW) 14} If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[bf] loss, but he himself will be saved^(GX)—but only as through fire.^(GY)

¹⁶ Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple^(GZ) and that the Spirit of God lives in you?^{(HA) 17} If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him;^(HB) for God’s temple is holy,^(HC) and that is what you are.

The Folly of Human Wisdom

¹⁸ Let no one deceive^(HD) himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age,^(HE) let him become a fool^(HF) so that he can become wise.^{(HG) 19} For the wisdom of this world is foolishness^(HH) with God, since it is written,^(HI) He catches the wise in their craftiness;^{[bg](HJ) 20} and again, The Lord knows that the reasonings^(HK) of the wise are futile.^{[bh](HL) 21} So let no one boast in human leaders, for everything is yours^(HM)— ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas^(HN) or the world or life^(HO) or death^(HP) or things present or things to come^(HQ)—everything is yours, ²³ and you belong to Christ,^(HR) and Christ belongs to God.

The Faithful Manager

4 A person should think of us in this way: as servants^(HS) of Christ and managers^(HT) of the mysteries of God.^{(HU) 2} In this regard, it is required that managers be found faithful.^{(HV) 3} It is of little^(HW) importance to me that I should be judged^(HX) by you or by any human court.^[bi] In fact, I don’t even judge myself. ⁴ For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified^(HY) by this. It is the Lord who judges me. ⁵ So don’t judge^(HZ) anything prematurely, before the Lord comes,^(IA) who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.^(IB)

The Apostles’ Example of Humility

⁶ Now, brothers and sisters,^(IC) I have applied these things to myself and Apollos^(ID) for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying: “Nothing beyond what is written.” The purpose is that none of you will be arrogant, favoring one person over another. ⁷ For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it? ⁸ You are already full! You are already rich! You have begun to reign as kings without us—and I wish you did reign, so that we could also reign with you! ⁹ For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. ¹⁰ We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ!^(IE) We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! ¹¹ Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; ¹² we labor, working^(IF) with our own hands.^(IG) When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; ¹³ when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage.^(IH)

Paul’s Fatherly Care

¹⁴ I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children.^{(II) 15} For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father^(IJ) in Christ Jesus through the gospel. ¹⁶ Therefore I urge you to imitate me. ¹⁷ This is why I have sent^(IK) Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful^(IL) child in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

¹⁸ Now some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. ¹⁹ But I will come to you soon,^(IM) if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk, but the power of those who are arrogant. ²⁰ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. ²¹ What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod,^(IN) or in love and a spirit of gentleness?^(IO)