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The Law of Love
Romans 14:13–23 teaches that choices about food and drink are not only personal matters. This passage calls believers to stop judging one another and to act in love, peace, and faith so they do not cause another person to stumble.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In Romans 14:13–23, the writer gives instruction about judging, food, conscience, and the effect one believer’s actions can have on another. The passage keeps moving from individual choice to shared responsibility, stressing love, peace, joy in the Holy Spirit, and building one another up rather than harming God’s work.
Romans 14:13–23Main takeaway
Believers should use their freedom in ways that pursue peace, protect others from stumbling, and match faith before God.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Judge this insteadThe passage opens with a contrast. Believers are told not to keep judging one another. Instead, they are to make a different judgement: do not put a stumbling block in a brother’s way or create an occasion for falling.
Explanation
The passage opens with a contrast. Believers are told not to keep judging one another. Instead, they are to make a different judgement: do not put a stumbling block in a brother’s way or create an occasion for falling. The focus shifts from criticising others to carefully considering one’s own effect on them.
02Food and the other person both matterThe writer says nothing is unclean of itself, yet also says that if someone considers a thing unclean, then for that person it is unclean.
Explanation
The writer says nothing is unclean of itself, yet also says that if someone considers a thing unclean, then for that person it is unclean. The issue is not food alone. If food grieves a brother, that behaviour is no longer walking in love toward one for whom Christ died.
03The kingdom is greater than eating and drinkingThis passage warns believers not to let their good be slandered. The reason follows: God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Explanation
This passage warns believers not to let their good be slandered. The reason follows: God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Serving Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by people, so these values should guide conduct.
04Pursue peace and build upBecause these things matter most, believers are to follow what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.
Explanation
Because these things matter most, believers are to follow what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding. The passage again says food must not overthrow God’s work. Although all things are clean, it is evil to eat in a way that creates a stumbling block. Giving something up can be a good choice for another’s sake.
05Act from faith, not doubtThe closing verses turn to personal conviction before God. Faith may be kept before God without self-condemnation in what one approves.
Explanation
The closing verses turn to personal conviction before God. Faith may be kept before God without self-condemnation in what one approves. By contrast, the person who doubts and eats is condemned, because the action is not from faith. The final principle is searching and direct: whatever is not of faith is sin.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01According to Romans 14:13, what kind of judgement should replace judging one another?
Look for the decision this verse tells believers to make about a stumbling block and an occasion for falling.
02How do Romans 14:14–15 hold together what is true about food and what is required in love?
Notice both statements: nothing is unclean of itself, yet grieving a brother over food shows a failure to walk in love.
03What does this passage say matters more than eating and drinking, and how should that affect behaviour?
Use the words in Romans 14:17 and connect them with the call to pursue peace and build one another up in Romans 14:19.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Romans 14:13–23
13Therefore let’s not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother’s way, or an occasion for falling.
14I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean of itself; except that to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15Yet if because of food your brother is grieved, you walk no longer in love. Don’t destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
16Then don’t let your good be slandered,
17for God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19So then, let’s follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up.
20Don’t overthrow God’s work for food’s sake. All things indeed are clean, however it is evil for that man who creates a stumbling block by eating.
21It is good to not eat meat, drink wine, nor do anything by which your brother stumbles, is offended, or is made weak.
22Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who doesn’t judge himself in that which he approves.
23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it isn’t of faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin.