Romans 14:3 kjv
Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
Romans 14:3 nkjv
Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.
Romans 14:3 niv
The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.
Romans 14:3 esv
Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.
Romans 14:3 nlt
Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don't. And those who don't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.
Romans 14 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 14:1 | Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment... | Paul introduces the theme of accepting "weak" believers. |
| Rom 14:4 | Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? | God alone judges His servants. |
| Rom 15:7 | Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you... | Calls for mutual acceptance based on Christ's example. |
| 1 Cor 8:8 | Food will not commend us to God... | External practices like food don't change one's standing with God. |
| 1 Cor 10:31 | So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. | Actions should be for God's glory, not for division. |
| Col 2:16 | Let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink... | Warning against legalism regarding external rituals. |
| Mark 7:19 | (Thus he declared all foods clean.) | Jesus abrogated old covenant dietary laws. |
| Acts 10:15 | What God has made clean, do not call common. | Peter's vision declaring all foods clean. |
| Matt 7:1 | Judge not, that you be not judged. | Universal principle of non-judgment. |
| Luke 6:37 | Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not... | Calls for merciful judgment, not condemnation. |
| Jas 4:12 | There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. | God is the ultimate judge, not humans. |
| Titus 1:15 | To the pure, all things are pure... | Spiritual purity makes external things pure. |
| 1 Tim 4:3-4 | Forbidding marriage and requiring abstinence from foods that God created... | Condemns legalistic asceticism regarding food and marriage. |
| Gal 5:6 | For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision... is of any avail. | External rituals are irrelevant; faith working through love matters. |
| Phil 2:3 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. | Calls for humility and valuing others. |
| Eph 4:2-3 | With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit. | Emphasis on unity, humility, and love in the church. |
| 1 Pet 4:8 | Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. | Love as the primary command that covers differences. |
| Gal 2:11-14 | Peter stood condemned for separating himself from Gentiles at Antioch... | Shows the danger of judgment based on dietary differences. |
| Heb 13:9 | Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods. | Grace, not food rules, strengthens the heart. |
| Rom 12:10 | Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. | Commands believers to show honor and love. |
| 1 Cor 9:19-23 | I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. | Paul's principle of adaptability for the gospel's sake. |
Romans 14 verses
Romans 14 3 Meaning
Romans 14:3 addresses the dynamic between believers with differing convictions on non-essential matters, specifically regarding dietary practices. It commands those who feel free to eat all foods not to look down on those who abstain, and similarly, it instructs those who abstain from certain foods not to pass judgment on those who eat. The core reason for this mutual forbearance is that God has accepted both types of believers into His fellowship, making their individual dietary practices secondary to their acceptance by Him.
Romans 14 3 Context
Romans 14 begins a significant discourse by Paul concerning disputable matters within the Roman church, specifically issues where there was no explicit divine command or prohibition. The historical context reveals a mixed congregation of Jewish and Gentile believers. Jewish Christians often maintained traditional dietary laws, avoiding pork or even meat from pagan markets due to concerns about it being sacrificed to idols (as Gentile markets often sourced their meat from such places). Gentile Christians, free from such traditions, felt liberty to eat anything. This divergence led to tensions, with each group tending to look down upon or judge the other. Verse 3 directly addresses the mutual responsibility to bridge this gap through acceptance rather than contention, grounding it in God's universal reception of both types of believers. The chapter ultimately encourages both groups to yield their personal preferences for the sake of unity and love in the body of Christ.
Romans 14 3 Word analysis
- Let not him that eateth:
- Him that eateth (ὁ ἐσθίων, ho esthiōn): Lit. "the one eating." This refers to the believer who understands they have liberty to eat all foods, including meat, unhindered by dietary scruples or concerns about idol-meat. Paul calls them "strong" later in the chapter (Rom 15:1). This perspective emphasizes freedom in Christ from Old Covenant laws or pagan influences.
- despise:
- (ἐξουθενείτω, exoutheneitō): To treat as nothing, to show contempt, to belittle. This indicates an attitude of scorn or looking down on another for their perceived weakness or legalism. It’s an act of moral superiority. The verb is a command, strictly prohibiting such an attitude.
- him that eateth not:
- Him that eateth not (ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων, ho mē esthiōn): Lit. "the one not eating." This refers to the believer who abstains from certain foods, often meat, out of conscience, tradition, or conviction, fearing they might defile themselves or compromise their faith (Rom 14:2, 21). Paul later calls these individuals "weak" (Rom 15:1).
- and let not him which eateth not:
- This phrase reiterates the preceding group for the sake of contrasting the opposite command. It specifies the "weaker brother" is also accountable.
- judge:
- (κρινέτω, krinētō): To pass judgment, to condemn, to evaluate critically. This verb forbids those with stricter consciences from accusing or condemning those with more liberty. This judgment typically involved considering the other as less spiritual or even sinning.
- him that eateth:
- Reiterates the "stronger" believer for clarity in the second half of the parallel command.
- for God hath received him:
- God (ὁ θεὸς, ho theos): The divine authority. The argument is grounded in God's action.
- Hath received (προσελάβετο, proselabeto): Took to oneself, welcomed, accepted fully. This is a perfect tense verb, emphasizing God's complete and ongoing acceptance. This divine act is the fundamental reason believers should not despise or judge one another over non-essential matters. God's reception of both types of believers invalidates any human judgment. It means their relationship with God is secure regardless of their dietary choices.
Romans 14 3 Bonus section
The issues Paul addresses in Romans 14 fall into the category of adiaphora – matters indifferent or non-essential to salvation. These are practices where the Bible neither explicitly commands nor prohibits, thus leaving room for individual conscience. The chapter is not about compromising on moral absolutes or doctrine, but about personal convictions related to external practices. Misunderstanding this distinction can lead either to destructive legalism (judging others for liberty) or destructive license (ignoring a weaker brother's conscience by flaunting liberty). The profound theological implication is that Christ's reception of an individual is paramount and foundational, overriding any human-imposed criteria for fellowship regarding secondary issues. Both the "eating" and "not eating" individuals are servants of God, accountable to Him directly, and thus deserve respect and acceptance from fellow believers. This understanding fosters true Christian unity, where love for one another surpasses differences in opinion on non-core beliefs.
Romans 14 3 Commentary
Romans 14:3 is the bedrock for navigating disagreements over non-salvation issues within the Christian community. Paul targets two opposing yet equally damaging behaviors: contempt from the "strong" (those with liberty) and condemnation from the "weak" (those with restrictions). The core message is mutual acceptance, not tolerance, based on God's prior and definitive acceptance of every believer. Neither diet nor other such practices elevate or diminish one's standing before God. The emphasis shifts from individual conduct to community harmony and the preservation of brotherly love. Practical application includes: not flaunting liberty in a way that scorns others' consciences (1 Cor 8:9-13), and not letting personal convictions become a standard to condemn others, recognizing that each stands before their own Master.Examples:
- Food choices: A believer who prefers a vegetarian diet should not condemn a believer who enjoys eating meat (or vice-versa), knowing both can glorify God through their choices (Rom 14:6).
- Music/Art: Some believers avoid certain genres of music or forms of art they deem worldly, while others feel liberty to engage. Neither group should despise or judge the other, acknowledging diverse convictions and that God has received both.