Romans 14:4
What does Romans 14:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 14:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 14:4 means
Paul asks, Who are you to sit in judgment on another’s servant? Each believer answers to his own Master. It is before the Lord that one stands or falls, not before the court of fellow Christians. This both humbles critics and comforts the criticized. Moreover, Paul adds a promise: the Lord is able to make His servant stand. God does not merely evaluate; He sustains. The weak will not be forever weak, and the strong do not stand by their own strength. God’s keeping power, not our scrutiny, secures believers. Therefore, we should entrust our brothers and sisters to the Lord’s wise governance and gracious upholding.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Who 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Who 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who are you to make yourself a judge of another man's servant? it is to his master that he is responsible for good or bad. Yes, his place will be safe, because the Lord is able to keep him from falling.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thou--who art thou that art judging another's domestic? to his own master he doth stand or fall; and he shall be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own lord he standeth or falleth. And he shall stand: for God is able to make him stand.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own master he stands or falls. And he shall be made to stand; for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Context
Coming after the warning against despising and judging, this verse shifts focus from horizontal opinions to divine ownership and ability. It prepares the way for the next example—regarding special days—in verses 5–6, and it foreshadows the larger theme of the Lordship of Christ in verses 7–9. The reminder that God makes His servants stand undercuts pride on both sides and supplies hope for growth. The flow moves from welcoming the weak, to refusing judgment, to recognizing that the Lord alone has the right and power to confirm His people.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 11:23
And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
- James 4:11
Speak not one against another, brethren. He that speaketh against a brother, or judgeth his brother, speaketh against the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judgest the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
- 1 Corinthians 4:4
For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
- John 10:28
and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.
- Psalms 37:24
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For Jehovah upholdeth him with his hand.
- Psalms 119:116
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live; And let me not be ashamed of my hope.
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