Romans 14:6
What does Romans 14:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 14:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 14:6 means
Whether one esteems a day or treats every day alike, whether one eats freely or abstains, Paul insists that both can be faithful if done “unto the Lord.” What matters is the Godward orientation—gratitude and the desire to please Him. Those who eat give thanks to God as Giver; those who refrain also give thanks, seeking to honor Him through restraint. Thanksgiving reveals the heart behind the action. This guards against judging appearances and urges us to ask: Is Christ being honored here? The Lord receives worship from different practices when they arise from conscience shaped by Scripture and animated by sincere gratitude.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord: and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He who keeps the day, keeps it to the Lord; and he who takes food, takes it as to the Lord, for he gives praise to God; and he who does not take food, to the Lord he takes it not, and gives praise to God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He who is regarding the day, to the Lord he doth regard <FI>it<Fi> , and he who is not regarding the day, to the Lord he doth not regard <FI>it<Fi> . He who is eating, to the Lord he doth eat, for he doth give thanks to God; and he who is not eating, to the Lord he doth not eat, and doth give thanks to God.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He that regardeth the day regardeth it unto the Lord. And he that eateth eateth to the Lord: for he giveth thanks to God. And he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not and giveth thanks to God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He that regards the day, regards it to [the] Lord. And he that eats, eats to [the] Lord, for he givesGod thanks; and he that does not eat, [it is] to [the] Lord he does not eat, and givesGod thanks.
Context
This verse concludes Paul’s twin examples of food and days, showing that the same principle applies: actions are to be directed to the Lord with thanksgiving. It bridges into verses 7–8, which broaden the lens from specific practices to the entirety of life and death under the Lord’s claim. With the focus now on the Lord rather than on external observances, Paul is preparing to anchor everything in Christ’s redemptive work and sovereign lordship in verse 9.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 15:36
and he took the seven loaves and the fishes; and he gave thanks and brake, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.
- Exodus 12:42
It is a night to be much observed unto Jehovah for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of Jehovah, to be much observed of all the children of Israel throughout their generations.
- Matthew 14:19
And he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.
- Exodus 16:25
And Moses said, Eat that to-day; for to-day is a sabbath unto Jehovah: to-day ye shall not find it in the field.
- John 6:28
They said therefore unto him, What must we do, that we may work the works of God?
- Zechariah 7:5
Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and in the seventh month, even these seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?
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