Romans 14 13

Romans 14:13 kjv

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Romans 14:13 nkjv

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.

Romans 14:13 niv

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

Romans 14:13 esv

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Romans 14:13 nlt

So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

Romans 14 verses

Romans 14 13 Meaning

Romans 14:13 instructs believers to cease judging one another concerning disputable matters and, instead, to make a conscious decision to ensure their actions do not cause a fellow believer, especially one weaker in faith, to stumble spiritually or fall into sin. It shifts the focus from scrutinizing others' consciences to safeguarding the spiritual well-being of the Christian community, prioritizing love and edification over personal liberties.

Romans 14 13 Context

Romans 14 begins with Paul addressing an internal church conflict between "the strong" and "the weak" concerning adiaphora – matters that are not essential for salvation, such as dietary restrictions and the observance of special days. "The weak" in faith felt bound by certain rules, perhaps from Jewish Law or Gentile taboos, fearing that specific foods or activities were unclean or sinful. "The strong," understanding their liberty in Christ, felt free from such restrictions.

Paul's primary message in Romans 14:1-12 is that both groups should accept each other without judgment. He reminds them that each person is accountable to the Lord, not to one another, in these disputable matters. Verse 13 marks a pivot point: having established that believers should not judge, Paul then redefines their responsibility from negative judgment to positive action, focusing on protecting the brother's conscience. He shifts from telling them what not to do (judge) to what to do (ensure one's liberty does not cause harm). Historically, this addressed potential tensions arising from differing backgrounds within the Roman church—Gentiles with their freedom from Mosaic Law clashing with Jewish believers who retained certain practices, or former pagans sensitive to associations with idolatry. It indirectly counters legalism that condemns based on non-essentials and antinomianism that uses Christian freedom as license without considering others.

Romans 14 13 Word analysis

• Therefore (οὖν, oun): A connective particle indicating a logical inference or summary based on the preceding discussion (Rom 14:1-12). It introduces a concluding injunction derived from the principles of mutual acceptance and individual accountability to God.

• let us not judge (μὴ οὖν κρίνωμεν, mē oun krinōmen): "Not" (mē) is a prohibitive particle. "Judge" (krinō) here signifies to critically evaluate, pass a condemnatory verdict, or find fault in others' convictions regarding non-essential practices. The present active subjunctive emphasizes ceasing an ongoing action. The command implies a mutual cessation of this negative behavior.

• one another (ἀλλήλους, allēlous): A reciprocal pronoun emphasizing the interactive and communal nature of the prohibition. The judgment spoken of is horizontal, among fellow believers.

• anymore (οὐκέτι, ouketi): Signifies "no longer" or "not from now on." It implies that judging one another in these matters was happening but must cease.

• but rather (δὲ τοῦτο μᾶλλον, de touto mallon): "But rather" marks a contrast and emphasizes a preferable alternative action. "This" (touto) refers to the following injunction. "Rather" (mallon) expresses preference.

• decide this (κρίνετε... τοῦτο, krinete... touto): This is a powerful play on the word "judge" (krinō). Here, it shifts from an external, critical judgment of others to an internal, resolute decision or judgment for oneself. It's an intentional and deliberate self-evaluation about one's own conduct.

• not to put (μὴ τιθέναι, mē tithenai): Another prohibitive command, meaning "not to place" or "not to set."

• a stumbling block (πρόσκομμα, proskomma): Derived from proskoptō (to strike against). It literally means "an obstacle one trips over" or "an occasion for stumbling." Spiritually, it means acting in a way that causes someone to waver in faith or falter morally.

• or hindrance (ἢ σκάνδαλον, ē skandalon): "Or" (ē) connects the two concepts. "Hindrance" (skandalon) originally referred to the bait-stick of a trap, a snare, or a trigger that causes an animal to be caught. In a moral or spiritual sense, it's something that leads another person into sin, temptation, or even apostasy, causing a fall or drawing them away from God. It carries a stronger connotation of entrapment than proskomma.

• in the way of (τῷ ἀδελφῷ, tō adelphō): Lit. "to the brother" or "for the brother."

• a brother (ἀδελφόν, adelphon): Refers to a fellow believer in the Christian community, emphasizing the spiritual familial bond and the responsibility to care for one another as family members.

• let us not judge one another anymore: This phrase underscores the principle of refraining from condemnation regarding disputable issues of conscience within the believing community. It's a call for mutual forbearance and acceptance.

• but rather decide this: not to put: This powerful juxtaposition shows a shift from negative behavior (judging) to proactive, self-sacrificial consideration (deciding to prevent harm). The same mental faculty of judgment is redirected from finding fault in others to guarding their spiritual welfare.

• a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother: This is the core instruction for conduct. It highlights the serious responsibility believers have not to use their personal liberty in a way that would lead a weaker brother or sister to sin, fall back into old ways, or have their conscience violated and faith weakened. The "stumbling block" can be minor offense; the "hindrance" potentially a more severe fall into sin.

Romans 14 13 Bonus section

The emphasis in Romans 14:13 on "stumbling block" and "hindrance" highlights the relational ethics of Christianity, where personal freedom is always tethered to community responsibility. The choice of two distinct but related Greek terms (πρόσκομμα and σκάνδαλον) underlines the severity and breadth of the issue Paul addresses. While proskomma often denotes an accidental or passive obstacle, skandalon can imply a more active temptation or trap designed to ensnare, a 'moral snare'. The cumulative effect warns against any action, even an innocent one on its own, that leads a brother to an outcome they conscientiously feel is sinful or damaging to their faith. This extends the definition of love beyond mere sentiment to practical action that proactively guards the spiritual integrity of fellow believers, even at the cost of personal preference or rights. The ultimate goal is always building up, not tearing down (Rom 14:19).

Romans 14 13 Commentary

Romans 14:13 serves as a pivotal ethical imperative in Paul's discussion of Christian liberty. Having urged believers not to pass judgment on each other's conscientious convictions (Rom 14:1-12), Paul now redefines their responsibility from merely passive non-judgment to active, sacrificial care. The phrase "decide this" represents a command to shift one's moral calculus from discerning flaws in others to self-monitoring one's own actions for their impact on fellow believers.

The command is born out of love and seeks to preserve unity and promote the spiritual well-being of the entire body of Christ. The "stumbling block" (πρόσκομμα) refers to anything that might trip up a brother spiritually, causing them doubt, temptation, or a weakened conscience. The "hindrance" (σκάνδαλον) often implies a more severe pitfall, something that might lead to sin or even disillusionment in their faith journey. For example, a "strong" believer who freely eats meat might cause a "weak" believer (who believes it's wrong) to either violate their own conscience by partaking or to become disillusioned and judgmental, thus suffering spiritual harm.

This verse places the onus on the "strong" or more mature believer, those with a robust understanding of their freedom in Christ, to exercise their liberty with careful consideration for the conscience of "the weak." True Christian freedom is not license to do whatever one pleases, but rather liberty to serve Christ and others. The Kingdom of God, as Rom 14:17 states, is not about "eating and drinking" but "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." Our actions in disputable matters must reflect these priorities. This principle calls for empathy, humility, and a prioritization of the communal good over individual rights. It exemplifies the call to bear one another's burdens and, by so doing, fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:2).

• Example 1: A new convert from a background where alcohol was deeply intertwined with pagan rituals might find it a severe stumbling block to see mature Christians consuming alcohol, even moderately. The principle dictates that the mature believer, though free, might abstain in their presence out of love.
• Example 2: Differing convictions on specific entertainment choices. A mature believer may see a film with adult themes as simply artistic, but it might offend the conscience or tempt a weaker brother recently freed from those themes. The strong believer decides against displaying or discussing such entertainment with sensitivity to their brother.