Romans 14:4 kjv
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Romans 14:4 nkjv
Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
Romans 14:4 niv
Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
Romans 14:4 esv
Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Romans 14:4 nlt
Who are you to condemn someone else's servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord's help, they will stand and receive his approval.
Romans 14 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 14:3 | Let not him who eats despise him who eats not; and let not him who eats not judge him who eats: for God has received him. | Close proximity, shared theme |
| Romans 14:13 | Let us therefore not judge one another any longer, but rather decide this: not to put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in a brother’s way. | Call to refrain from judgment |
| Romans 15:7 | Therefore welcome one another as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God. | Encouragement for mutual acceptance |
| 1 Corinthians 8:8 | Food, however, will not commend us to God. We are neither the worse if we eat, nor the better if we do not eat. | Indifference of food to salvation |
| 1 Corinthians 10:25 | Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience. | Freedom in Christian practice |
| Galatians 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. | Fruits of the Spirit as higher standard |
| Colossians 2:16-17 | Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. | Old Testament shadows and Christ's substance |
| 1 Timothy 4:1-5 | Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons… for everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving… | God’s creation is good; thanks Sanctifies |
| Titus 1:15 | To the morally pure, everything is morally pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. | Purity of conscience |
| Matthew 7:1-2 | Judge not, that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. | Warning against judging |
| John 13:34-35 | A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. | Love as a mark of discipleship |
| Acts 10:9-16 | Peter’s vision regarding clean and unclean foods. | God declares all things clean |
| Acts 15:28-29 | For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden, than these necessary things: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. | Early church council decision |
| Ephesians 4:2-3 | With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. | Call for unity and bearing with one another |
| Philippians 2:3-4 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. | Humility and considering others |
| Hebrews 12:14 | Strive for peace with all people, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. | Pursuing peace and holiness |
| Romans 12:10 | Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. | Mutual love and honor |
| 1 Peter 4:8 | Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. | Love covers many sins |
| Proverbs 3:9-10 | Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. | Stewardship and honor to God |
| Romans 3:23-24 | For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. | All are justified by God's grace |
Romans 14 verses
Romans 14 4 Meaning
This verse affirms that no one should judge or look down upon another believer for their dietary practices or observance of specific days. Instead, the focus should be on welcoming and accepting fellow believers as God has welcomed them, acknowledging God's sovereignty over all.
Romans 14 4 Context
Romans chapter 14 addresses the issue of disputable matters within the early church, specifically concerning dietary practices and the observance of certain days. These were sensitive issues that created division among believers, likely stemming from differences in their backgrounds—Jews accustomed to strict dietary laws and Gentiles who were not. Paul, writing to the church in Rome, provides guidance on how Christians should navigate these differences with love, understanding, and a focus on unity. The core problem was one of judgmentalism and a lack of grace towards those with differing practices or convictions on matters not essential to salvation. The chapter encourages believers to focus on building up the body of Christ rather than causing it to stumble.
Romans 14 4 Word Analysis
Οὕτως (houtos): Thus, so, in this way. It introduces a consequence or conclusion based on the preceding statements.
τις (tis): anyone, someone. It refers to an individual believer.
κριθῇ (krithē): judge, be judged. A passive subjunctive verb form. It indicates that no one ought to be a judge over another.
καταφρονείτω (kata phroneitō): look down upon, despise, disregard. This verb emphasizes a negative attitude of superiority and contempt towards others’ practices.
ὁ (ho): the (masculine singular nominative article). Used before the subject.
ἐσθίων (esthíōn): eating. A present active participle from ἐσθίω (esthiō), meaning "to eat."
ἐσθίοντα (esthíonta): eating. A present active participle from ἐσθίω (esthiō), meaning "to eat," but used here in the accusative case referring to the one being considered.
ὁ (ho): the.
μὴ (mē): not. Used to negate the action of eating or judging.
ἐσθίων (esthíōn): eating. The one who is not eating.
κρινέτω (krinétō): judge, let him judge. An imperative verb form. It is a direct command, forbidding the act of judging or condemning.
Group of Words: "μὴ κρινέτω τὸν ἐσθίοντα" (mē krinetō ton esthionta) - "let not him who eats not judge him who eats." This phrase directly forbids a believer who abstains from certain foods from condemning or passing judgment on a fellow believer who consumes them.
Group of Words: "ὁ δὲ μὴ ἐσθίων, τὸν ἐσθίοντα" (ho de mē esthiōn, ton esthionta) - "but let not him who eats not, judge him who eats." This part, connected by "δὲ" (de - but, however), presents the converse principle, addressing those who abstain from judging those who eat. It underscores the reciprocal nature of this admonition.
Group of Words: "τὸν γὰρ Κύριον αὐτοῦ ἕστηκεν ἢ πέπτωκεν" (ton gar Kurion autou hestēken ē pepetōken) - "For to his own master he stands or falls." This is a crucial statement, grounding the reason for not judging. Each believer is accountable to God, their "master" or Lord.
Romans 14 4 Bonus Section
The phrase "For to his own master he stands or falls" (τὸν γὰρ Κύριον αὐτοῦ ἕστηκεν ἢ πέπτωκεν) is particularly potent. "Stands or falls" (ἕστηκεν ἢ πέπτωκεν) is a vivid idiom, alluding to a servant's accountability before their master. In a Christian context, this refers to our standing in terms of acceptance before God. A believer is ultimately accepted or rejected based on their relationship with Christ, not their adherence to these disputable practices. This concept highlights that judgment on such matters usurps God's authority. The focus is shifted from outward conformity to inner conviction and personal walk with God. The analogy also subtly reminds believers of their own past "fall" through sin and their subsequent standing through God's grace, fostering humility rather than pride when judging others.
Romans 14 4 Commentary
This verse is a cornerstone for understanding Christian liberty and fellowship concerning non-essential practices. It argues against the critical spirit that often arises within churches when believers have different understandings or convictions regarding lifestyle choices. Paul reminds them that the ultimate accountability is to Christ, the Lord of each believer. God has accepted them, and therefore, humans should do the same, refraining from judgment. The freedom enjoyed in Christ does not grant license to impose one's personal convictions on others, but rather calls for mutual respect and an endeavor to build up the body of Christ. This principle extends beyond mere food and days to any matter not explicitly condemned by Scripture, urging believers towards unity in Christ's love.
- Practical application: Imagine disagreements over observing holidays, personal modesty standards, or leisure activities. Instead of criticizing others who do things differently, reflect on your own standing before God and offer acceptance, recognizing God's role as the final judge.