Romans 14 15

Romans 14:15 kjv

But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

Romans 14:15 nkjv

Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.

Romans 14:15 niv

If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.

Romans 14:15 esv

For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.

Romans 14:15 nlt

And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don't let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died.

Romans 14 verses

Romans 14 15 Meaning

Romans 14:15 means that if a believer's exercise of Christian liberty—specifically regarding food in this context—causes grief or distress to a fellow believer, it signifies a failure to live in accordance with love. This act is not merely inconsiderate; it runs the risk of spiritually damaging or "destroying" the faith or conscience of a brother for whom Christ Himself died. The verse therefore establishes that the supreme law for the "strong" believer's conduct is selfless love, which prioritizes the spiritual well-being of the "weaker" brother over personal rights or preferences.

Romans 14 15 Context

Romans chapter 14 addresses the sensitive issue of Christian liberty within the community, specifically regarding "disputable matters" (Rom 14:1) like dietary practices (eating meat vs. vegetarianism) and the observance of special days. Paul identifies two groups: the "strong" (those who understand their freedom in Christ and have no scruples about eating certain foods or observing certain days) and the "weak" (those with tender consciences who abstain or observe due to lingering scruples or misunderstanding).

The core issue is not about correct doctrine of salvation but about how believers, with differing levels of conviction and understanding, should interact so as to preserve unity, respect, and mutual edification. Paul commands the strong not to despise the weak, and the weak not to judge the strong (Rom 14:3). He emphasizes that each believer is accountable to the Lord (Rom 14:4, 7-9), and therefore, the primary concern should be to live to please Christ, not to demand conformity from others or cause them to stumble (Rom 14:10-13).

Historically, the audience in Rome included both Jewish Christians, many of whom continued to adhere to kosher dietary laws, and Gentile Christians, who often did not. Additionally, there was the pervasive issue of meat sold in the market having been previously offered to idols, which posed a dilemma for some Christians with sensitive consciences (related to 1 Cor 8). Paul's teaching is a polemic against legalism that judges others for not adhering to particular practices, and against libertinism that exercises freedom without consideration for its impact on others. It champions an ethics of love, unity, and concern for one another's spiritual growth over self-assertion or strict adherence to a specific set of secondary rules.

Romans 14 15 Word analysis

• For if: (γὰρ εἰ, gar ei) This phrase introduces a conditional statement that highlights the gravity of the potential consequence. "For" connects this point back to the previous admonition to "no longer judge one another" (Rom 14:13) and "to decide instead not to put a stumbling block" (Rom 14:13).
• because of food: (διὰ βρῶμα, dia brōma) Specifically refers to the controversial items in question (e.g., meat offered to idols, or kosher vs. non-kosher foods). It's the superficial reason, but the underlying issue is how the consumption affects a brother. The Greek word brōma implies a specific instance of eating, but it represents the broader category of disputable actions.
• your brother: (ὁ ἀδελφός σου, ho adelphos sou) Emphasizes the close spiritual bond between believers. This is not a stranger but a fellow member of God's family, for whom mutual love and care are paramount. This designation invokes the familial obligation of love.
• is grieved: (λυπεῖται, lypeitai) From lypeō, meaning to cause pain, sorrow, distress, or sadness. It's more than simply "offended" in a trivial sense; it indicates deep emotional or spiritual hurt. The distress comes from perceiving an act as sinful, leading to a troubled conscience, confusion, or being driven away from their convictions.
• you are no longer walking according to love: (οὐκέτι κατὰ ἀγάπην περιπατεῖς, ouketi kata agapēn peripateis)
  • no longer walking: (ouketi peripateis) "Walking" refers to one's conduct or manner of life. This signifies that the individual's pattern of life or action has deviated from the path of love. It suggests a departure from the continuous practice of love.
  • according to love: (kata agapēn) The standard or principle that should govern all Christian conduct. Agapē refers to selfless, divine, unconditional love that seeks the highest good of the other. If an action causes grief, it cannot be categorized as love-motivated.
• Do not destroy: (μὴ ἀπόλλυε, mē apollye) A strong prohibition, literally meaning "do not be destroying." The Greek verb apollymi means to ruin, perish, or make useless. Here, it refers to spiritual destruction, not necessarily eternal damnation, but rather the destruction of a believer's faith, peace, good conscience, or spiritual stability. This can happen by tempting them to violate their conscience, by causing them to abandon their faith, or by leading them into sin.
• him for whom Christ died: (ὑπὲρ οὗ Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν, hyper hou Christos apethanen) This phrase highlights the profound value of the "weak" brother in God's eyes. Christ’s atoning death gives infinite worth to the individual believer. To damage or "destroy" someone for whom Christ paid such a high price is to demonstrate profound disrespect for Christ's work and to gravely sin against Christ himself. It's an ultimate appeal to Christology and the cost of salvation as the basis for ethical behavior. This acts as a powerful polemic against any selfish exercise of liberty that might trivialize Christ's sacrifice or the worth of a redeemed soul.

Romans 14 15 Bonus section

The passage implicitly sets up a conflict between "knowledge" (of Christian liberty) and "love." While 1 Cor 8:1 emphasizes "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up," Rom 14:15 brings a similar sentiment, asserting that superior knowledge or spiritual maturity does not grant permission to disregard a weaker brother's well-being. Instead, true spiritual maturity is demonstrated through self-sacrificial love that considers others above oneself, mirroring Christ's example. This is foundational to the concept of Christian community where individual rights are balanced by communal responsibility and care, ensuring that unity and the upbuilding of faith take precedence. The boundaries/limitations of Christian freedom are precisely defined by love for one another and the preservation of faith.

Romans 14 15 Commentary

Romans 14:15 stands as a profound ethical imperative within Paul's teaching on Christian liberty. It clarifies that freedom in Christ, while real and valuable, is never absolute or self-serving; it is always to be governed by the greater principle of love (agape). When the exercise of a personal right—such as eating a specific food—troubles a fellow believer's conscience or causes spiritual harm, the "strong" believer is called to refrain. This is not about sacrificing truth, but about subordinating a personal preference for the sake of another's spiritual integrity. Paul elevates the significance of this act by invoking Christ's atoning work: to spiritually harm a brother for whom Christ died is to devalue Christ's sacrifice. True love is empathetic, sensitive, and actively seeks the spiritual flourishing of others, even at the cost of personal convenience or liberty.

Examples:

• A teetotaler guest feeling compelled to drink alcohol at a Christian host's house due to peer pressure, even though it bothers their conscience, risks their spiritual well-being.
• A mature believer consuming meat in front of a new convert who recently came from a religious background prohibiting that meat, potentially causing the new convert to doubt their newfound faith or be tempted to violate their conscience.