Romans 14:23
What does Romans 14:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 14:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 14:23 means
Paul closes with a searching principle: if a person doubts and still eats, he stands condemned, not because the food is unclean, but because he did not act from faith. To go against conscience, even in a matter that is objectively permissible, is sin. Faith here means a settled trust and conviction before God about the action. Whatever does not arise from that trust misses the mark, because it treats God as irrelevant in the choice. Therefore, the safe path is to align actions with a clear conscience informed by Scripture. Better to refrain than to train the soul to ignore God’s voice.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But he who is in doubt is judged if he takes food, because he does it not in faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he who is making a difference, if he may eat, hath been condemned, because <FI>it is<Fi> not of faith; and all that <FI>is<Fi> not of faith is sin.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But he that discerneth, if he eat, is condemned; because not of faith. For all that is not of faith is sin.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But he that doubts, if he eat, is condemned; because [it is] not of faith; but whatever [is] not of faith is sin.
Context
This final verse concludes the argument by placing the spotlight on the conscience. It ties back to earlier statements about being fully convinced (verse 5) and not grieving or destroying a brother (verses 15, 20–21). The chapter ends where it has been heading: Christian liberty is real, but it must be governed by faith and love. Each believer should act with a clear conscience before God, aiming at peace and edification within Christ’s body.
v.22The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth.
v.23This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 14:5
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.
- 1 Corinthians 8:7
Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
- Hebrews 11:6
and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.
- Titus 1:15
To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
- Romans 13:2
Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment.
- 1 Corinthians 11:29
For he that eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself, if he discern not the body.
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