Devine Scripture

Romans 14:3

What does Romans 14:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 14:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 14:3 means

Those who enjoy their freedom must not look down on the cautious, as if they were inferior. Those who abstain must not pass judgment on the free, as if they were unspiritual. The decisive fact is that God has welcomed each believer. If the Lord has received someone on the basis of Christ’s grace, who are we to exclude them over a diet? Spiritual pride grows on both sides—contempt from the strong and condemnation from the weak. Paul calls both attitudes sinful because they challenge God’s verdict about His people. Remembering God’s acceptance disarms our urge to sort, rank, or reject fellow Christians over secondary issues.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Let 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Let 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Let not him who takes food have a low opinion of him who does not: and let not him who does not take food be a judge of him who does; for he has God's approval.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

let not him who is eating despise him who is not eating: and let not him who is not eating judge him who is eating, for God did receive him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not: and he that eateth not, let him not judge him that eateth. For God hath taken him to him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Let not him that eats make little of him that eats not; and let not him that eats not judge him that eats: forGod has received him.

Context

This verse follows the example of differing diets and directly addresses the heart attitudes that divide churches. It anticipates verse 4, which will ground the argument more firmly in the Lord’s ownership of His servants. The move is from horizontal disputes to a vertical perspective: God has received them. Paul will soon apply the same logic to the observance of special days (verses 5–6), showing that the governing principle is the believer’s relationship to the Lord, not the particular choice about foods or calendars.

v.2One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs.

v.3This passage

v.4Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 8:11

    For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

  • Matthew 9:14

    Then come to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

  • 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.

  • Acts 10:44

    While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word.

  • Matthew 7:1

    Judge not, that ye be not judged.

  • Acts 10:34

    And Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

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