Darby Bible
Romans 14:20
20For the sake of meat do not destroy the work of 1God. All things indeed [are] pure; but [it is] evil to that man who eats while stumbling [in doing so].
Romans 14:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
- New International Version (NIV)Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.
Context of Romans 14:20
18For he that in this serves the Christ [is] acceptable to God and approved of men. 19So then let us pursue the things which tend to peace, and things whereby one shall build up another. For the sake of meat do not destroy the work of God. All things indeed [are] pure; but [it is] evil to that man who eats while stumbling [in doing so]. 21[It is] right not to eat meat, nor drink wine, nor [do anything] in which thy brother stumbles, or is offended, or is weak. 22Hast thou faith? have [it] to thyself before God. Blessed [is] he who does not judge himself in what he allows.
Read all of Romans 14Romans 14:20 word by word
μὴ ἕνεκεν βρώματος κατάλυε τὸ ἔργον τοῦ θεοῦ. πάντα μὲν καθαρὰ ἀλλὰ κακὸν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τῷ διὰ προσκόμματος ἐσθίοντι·Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Romans 14:20
- Romans 14:15For if on account of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer according to love. Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ has died.
- Matthew 18:6But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones who believe in me, it were profitable for him that a great millstone had been hanged upon his neck and he be sunk in the depths of the sea.
- 1 Corinthians 6:12All things are lawful to me, but all things do not profit; all things are lawful to me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
- 1 Corinthians 8:8But meat does not commend us to God; neither if we should not eat do we come short; nor if we should eat have we an advantage.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all things to God's glory.
- Ephesians 2:10For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has before prepared that we should walk in them.
- Philippians 1:6having confidence of this very thing, that he who has begun in you a good work will complete it unto Jesus Christ's day:
- Romans 14:14I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself; except to him who reckons anything to be unclean, to that man [it is] unclean.
- Matthew 15:11Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man; but what goes forth out of the mouth, this defiles the man.
- Acts 10:15And [there was] a voice again the second time to him, What God has cleansed, do not thou make common.
- 1 Timothy 4:3forbidding to marry, [bidding] to abstain from meats, which God has created for receiving with thanksgiving for them who are faithful and know the truth.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9But see lest anywise this your right [to eat] itself be a stumbling-block to the weak.
- 1 Corinthians 10:32Give no occasion to stumbling, whether to Jews, or Greeks, or the assembly of God.
Commentaries on Romans 14:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20For meat destroy not the work of God - Do not hinder the progress of the Gospel either in your own souls or in those of others, by contending about lawful or unlawful meats. And do not destroy the soul of thy Christian brother, Romans 14:15, by offending him so as to induce him to apostatize. All things indeed are pure - This is a repetition of the sentiment delivered, Romans 14:14, in different words. Nothing that is proper for aliment is unlawful to be…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20For meat - By your obstinate, pertinacious attachment to your own opinions about the distinctions of meat and drinks, do not pursue such a course as to lead a brother into sin, and ruin his soul. Here is a new argument presented why Christians should pursue a course of charity - that the opposite would tend to the ruin of the brother‘s soul. Destroy not - The word here is what properly is applied to pulling down an edifice; and the apostle continues the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19-23Verses 19-23 Many wish for peace, and talk loudly for it, who do not follow the things that make for peace. Meekness, humility, self-denial, and love, make for peace. We cannot edify one another, while quarrelling and contending. Many, for meat and drink, destroy the work of God in themselves; nothing more destroys the soul than pampering and pleasing the flesh, and fulfilling the lusts of it; so others are hurt, by wilful offence given. Lawful things may…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20The work of God involves both the spiritual life of other Christians and to the Christian community itself (14:15, 19). When the strong insist on doing whatever they want, they cause division. This behavior goes against God’s purpose to build a healthy and united community of believers.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. For--"For the sake of" meat destroy not the work of God--(See on Ro 14:15). The apostle sees in whatever tends to violate a brother's conscience the incipient destruction of God's work (for every converted man is such)--on the same principle as "he that hateth his brother is a murderer" (1Jo 3:15). All things indeed are pure--"clean"; the ritual distinctions being at an end. but it is evil to that man--there is criminality in the man who eateth with…Read the comment
Topics related to Romans 14:20
In the dictionaries
Notes
- 1. Romans 14:20 14.20 Elohim ↩
Commentaries on Romans 14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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Commentaries