The big picture
Romans 14 opens in verse 1 with “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 12 with “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”, and closes in verse 23 with “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever…” Repeated or prominent terms include eateth, Lord, brother, Christ, faith. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Romans · King James Version · 23Romans 14:1-8
1–8: Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful…
Romans 14:1–8 opens with “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” and reaches “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Romans 14 develops its own movement around eateth, Lord, brother, Christ, faith, with particular weight carried by eateth, Lord, live.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” Naming Him keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
Romans 14:1-8
King James Version1Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3Let 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.
4Who 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.
5One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6He 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.
7For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
Romans 14:9-16
9–16: For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might…
Romans 14:9–16 opens with “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead…” and reaches “Let not then your good be evil spoken of:” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Romans 14 develops its own movement around eateth, Lord, brother, Christ, faith, with particular weight carried by brother, Christ, judge.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Romans 14:9-16
King James Version9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
14I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
Romans 14:17-23
17–23: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and…
Romans 14:17–23 opens with “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy…” and reaches “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Romans 14 develops its own movement around eateth, Lord, brother, Christ, faith, with particular weight carried by faith, drink, eateth.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Romans 14:17-23
King James Version17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Romans 14:1 begins with “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”
Where the chapter turns
Romans 14:10 forms a natural hinge: “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”
The final note
Romans 14:23 leaves the reader with “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words eateth, Lord, brother, Christ, faith, judge help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What contrasts the two royal encounters?
Melchizedek blesses God as the source of victory; Abram refuses a financial arrangement that would let Sodom claim credit for his wealth.
How does Abram treat Lot after their separation?
He risks resources to rescue him rather than treating earlier disagreement as a reason for abandonment.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
- doth
- does
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.