Devine Scripture

Romans 14:2

What does Romans 14:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 14:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 14:2 means

Paul sketches two groups. Some believers, confident in their freedom, are willing to eat all foods. Others, fearful of defilement or shaped by past rules, avoid meat entirely and eat only vegetables. He calls the latter “weak,” not to belittle them, but to describe a conscience easily troubled. The point is not which menu is superior, but how believers handle differences of conviction. Maturity is measured less by what one eats and more by how one treats a fellow Christian. Liberty and caution can both be expressions of faith if oriented to the Lord and carried out in love, without demanding that others copy one’s practice.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

One man has faith to take all things as food: another who is feeble in faith takes only green food.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

one doth believe that he may eat all things--and he who is weak doth eat herbs;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For one believeth that he may eat all things: but he that is weak, let him eat herbs.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

One man is assured that he may eat all things; but the weak eats herbs.

Context

Having called the church to receive the weak, Paul now identifies a common area of dispute: food. This example reflects tensions between Jewish and Gentile backgrounds, and it will anchor the discussion through verse 6 and beyond. The next verse will address the temptations both sides face—despising and judging—and call them to remember God’s acceptance. Paul’s aim is to move the church from arguing about menus to honoring one another’s consciences. The food example will later expand into the broader principles of not causing a brother to stumble and of seeking what builds up.

v.1But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not for decision of scruples.

v.2This passage

v.3Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Daniel 1:16

    So the steward took away their dainties, and the wine that they should drink, and gave them pulse.

  • Genesis 9:3

    Every moving thing that liveth shall be food for you; as the green herb have I given you all.

  • Proverbs 15:17

    Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

  • Genesis 1:29

    And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food:

  • 1 Timothy 4:4

    For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving:

  • Galatians 2:12

    For before that certain came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision.

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