Romans 14:21
What does Romans 14:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 14:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 14:21 means
Paul commends a posture of voluntary restraint: it is good to abstain from meat, wine, or anything that would make a brother stumble. The issue is not the inherent wrongness of these items but their potential effect on another’s conscience. Love gladly trades personal preference for a brother’s protection. This is not legalism; it is liberty guided by love. The “good” Paul commends is the wisdom to foresee likely harm and the humility to refrain. By taking this path, believers help keep others from sinning against conscience and foster a community where tender faith can mature safely.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949It is better not to take meat or wine or to do anything which might be a cause of trouble to your brother.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Right <FI>it is<Fi> not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to <FI>do anything<Fi> in which thy brother doth stumble, or is made to fall, or is weak.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752It is good not to eat flesh and not to drink wine: nor any thing whereby thy brother is offended or scandalized or made weak.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890[It is] right not to eat meat, nor drink wine, nor [do anything] in which thy brother stumbles, or is offended, or is weak.
Context
This verse broadens the application of the previous warnings, naming wine alongside meat and then encompassing “anything” that causes stumbling. It sets the stage for the closing counsel in verses 22–23, which will deal with how to handle personal faith and the danger of acting against conscience. The flow remains fixed on protecting fellow believers and preserving their integrity before God.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 8:13
Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.
- Romans 14:17
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 14:13
Let 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.
- Malachi 2:8
But ye are turned aside out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble in the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith Jehovah of hosts.
- Matthew 18:7
Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh!
- Hebrews 12:13
and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed.
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