Romans 14:12
What does Romans 14:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 14:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 14:12 means
The conclusion is personal and sobering: each of us will give an account of himself to God. This refocuses attention from our neighbor’s plate or calendar to our own heart. Accountability is individual; you will not answer for your brother’s liberty or scruple, but for how you loved him and honored the Lord. Such a perspective produces humility and diligence in examining motives. It frees us from playing God in others’ lives while calling us to earnest obedience in our own. Since the day of accounting is sure, we should aim for a clear conscience shaped by Scripture and sustained by faith.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So every one of us will have to give an account of himself to God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862so, then, each of us concerning himself shall give reckoning to God;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore every one of us shall render account to God for himself.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890So then each of us shall give an account concerning himself toGod.
Context
With the truth of universal judgment established (verses 10–11), Paul now applies it to every believer. This ends the first major section, which dismantles mutual judgment over disputable matters. The next movement, beginning in verse 13, will pivot from prohibiting judgment to promoting love: do not cause a brother to stumble. Thus, the chapter turns from who evaluates whom to how the strong can use freedom to serve, not harm, the weak.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 18:23
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants.
- Matthew 12:36
And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
- Ecclesiastes 11:9
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
- Matthew 16:27
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then shall he render unto every man according to his deeds.
- Galatians 6:5
For each man shall bear his own burden.
- 1 Peter 4:5
who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.
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