Romans 14:13
What does Romans 14:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 14:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 14:13 means
Paul redirects our evaluating impulse: instead of judging one another, make a firm decision not to place a stumbling block in a brother’s path. Love takes responsibility for the spiritual welfare of others. Christian liberty is real, but it is not exercised in a vacuum; it is shaped by the needs of the family. If my freedom confuses, wounds, or entices a fellow believer into sin, I must refrain. The measure of maturity is not how much I can do, but how much I am willing to limit for another’s good. This resolve treats consciences with care and keeps unity precious.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then let us not be judges of one another any longer: but keep this in mind, that no man is to make it hard for his brother, or give him cause for doubting.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862no longer, therefore, may we judge one another, but this judge ye rather, not to put a stumbling-stone before the brother, or an offence.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Let us not therefore judge one another any more. But judge this rather, that you put not a stumblingblock or a scandal in your brother's way.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Let us no longer therefore judge one another; but judge ye this rather, not to put a stumbling-block or a fall-trap before his brother.
Context
This verse marks a transition from the negative command—stop judging—to the positive call: protect your brother. It launches the chapter’s second half, which applies love to the issue of food and drink. Verse 14 will clarify that nothing is unclean in itself, yet conscience matters. Verses 15–21 will then unpack how love should govern liberty, urging believers to prefer their brother’s edification over asserting rights.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Samuel 12:14
Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of Jehovah to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
- Philippians 1:10
so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ;
- Isaiah 57:14
And he will say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.
- Leviticus 19:14
Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind; but thou shalt fear thy God: I am Jehovah.
- 2 Corinthians 6:3
giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed;
- Romans 14:10
But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God.
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