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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 14:20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/14-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/45_Rom_14_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 14:20 - The Law of Love" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/romans/14-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/romans/14-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/romans/">Romans</a> > <a href="/romans/14.htm">Chapter 14</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/romans/14-19.htm" title="Romans 14:19">◄</a> Romans 14:20 <a href="/romans/14-21.htm" title="Romans 14:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/romans/14.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/romans/14.htm">New International Version</a> 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. <a href="/nlt/romans/14.htm">New Living Translation</a> Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. <a href="/esv/romans/14.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/romans/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block. <a href="/blb/romans/14.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but it is wrong to the man eating through a stumbling block. <a href="/kjv/romans/14.htm">King James Bible</a> For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. <a href="/nkjv/romans/14.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/romans/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the person who eats and causes offense. <a href="/nasb/romans/14.htm">NASB 1995</a> Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. <a href="/nasb77/romans/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. <a href="/lsb/romans/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. <a href="/amp/romans/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Do not, for the sake of food, tear down the work of God. All things indeed are [ceremonially] clean, but they are wrong for the person who eats and offends [another’s conscience in the process]. <a href="/csb/romans/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Do not tear down God’s work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong to make someone fall by what he eats. <a href="/hcsb/romans/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Do not tear down God&#8217s work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong for a man to cause stumbling by what he eats. <a href="/asv/romans/14.htm">American Standard Version</a> Overthrow not for meat's sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. <a href="/cev/romans/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Don't let your appetite destroy what God has done. All foods are fit to eat, but it is wrong to cause problems for others by what you eat. <a href="/erv/romans/14.htm">English Revised Version</a> Overthrow not for meat's sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. <a href="/gwt/romans/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Don't ruin God's work because of what you eat. All food is acceptable, but it's wrong for a person to eat something if it causes someone else to have doubts. <a href="/gnt/romans/14.htm">Good News Translation</a> Do not, because of food, destroy what God has done. All foods may be eaten, but it is wrong to eat anything that will cause someone else to fall into sin. <a href="/isv/romans/14.htm">International Standard Version</a> Do not destroy God's action for the sake of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong to make another person stumble because of what you eat. <a href="/msb/romans/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block. <a href="/net/romans/14.htm">NET Bible</a> Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. For although all things are clean, it is wrong to cause anyone to stumble by what you eat. <a href="/nheb/romans/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Do not overthrow God's work for food's sake. All things indeed are clean, however it is evil for anyone who creates a stumbling block by eating. <a href="/wbt/romans/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For the sake of food, destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offense. <a href="/wey/romans/14.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Do not for food's sake be throwing down God's work. All food is pure; but a man is in the wrong if his food is a snare to others. <a href="/web/romans/14.htm">World English Bible</a> Don’t overthrow God’s work for food’s sake. All things indeed are clean, however it is evil for that man who creates a stumbling block by eating. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Do not cast down the work of God for the sake of food; all things, indeed, [are] pure, but evil [is] to the man who is eating through stumbling. <a href="/blb/romans/14.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but it is wrong to the man eating through a stumbling block. <a href="/ylt/romans/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for the sake of victuals cast not down the work of God; all things, indeed, are pure, but evil is to the man who is eating through stumbling. <a href="/slt/romans/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Not for sake of food destroy thou the work of God. Truly all things clean; but evil to the man eating by offence.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Destroy not the work of God for meat. All things indeed are clean: but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. <a href="/cpdv/romans/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Do not be willing to destroy the work of God because of food. Certainly, all things are clean. But there is harm for a man who offends by eating. <a href="/nabre/romans/14.htm">New American Bible</a> For the sake of food, do not destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to become a stumbling block by eating; <a href="/nrsvce/romans/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And let us not, because of food, destroy the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is wrong for the man who eats with offence. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/14.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And let us not destroy a Servant of God because of food, for everything is pure, but it is evil to a man who eats with offense.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/14.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Destroy not the work of God on account of food. All meats, indeed, are clean; but meat is an evil to that man who, by eating, causes another to stumble. <a href="/godbey/romans/14.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Do not destroy the work of God on account of meat. All things are pure; but it is evil to the man who eats with offence: <a href="/haweis/romans/14.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For the sake of meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are clean; but it is an evil thing for a man to eat, giving offence. <a href="/mace/romans/14.htm">Mace New Testament</a> do not for such a thing as meat, pull down what God has been raising, all things indeed are pure; but they become evil to him who by eating giveth offence. <a href="/wey/romans/14.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Do not for food's sake be throwing down God's work. All food is pure; but a man is in the wrong if his food is a snare to others. <a href="/worrell/romans/14.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Do not, for the sake of food, overthrow the work of God. All things, indeed, are clean; but it is evil to him who eats with offense. <a href="/worsley/romans/14.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Do not for the sake of meat destroy thy brother who is the work of God: all things indeed are pure; but to the man that eateth with offence it is evil. <a href="/parallel/romans/14-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=3537" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/14.htm">The Law of Love</a> …19So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20<a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">Do not</a> <a href="/greek/2647.htm" title="2647: katalye (V-PMA-2S) -- From kata and luo; to loosen down, i.e. to demolish; specially to halt for the night.">destroy</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2041.htm" title="2041: ergon (N-ANS) -- From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.">work</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God</a> <a href="/greek/1752.htm" title="1752: heneken (Prep) -- Or heneken hen'-ek-en or heineken hi'-nek-en; of uncertain affinity; on account of.">for the sake of</a> <a href="/greek/1033.htm" title="1033: brōmatos (N-GNS) -- Food of any kind. From the base of bibrosko; food, especially articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law.">food.</a> <a href="/greek/3303.htm" title="3303: men (Conj) -- A primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession; usually followed by a contrasted clause with de."></a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: panta (Adj-NNP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">All food is</a> <a href="/greek/2513.htm" title="2513: kathara (Adj-NNP) -- Clean.">clean,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/2556.htm" title="2556: kakon (Adj-ANS) -- Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.">it is wrong</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpō (N-DMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">for a man</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through."></a> <a href="/greek/2068.htm" title="2068: esthionti (V-PPA-DMS) -- Strengthened for a primary edo; used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by phago; to eat.">to let his eating be</a> <a href="/greek/4348.htm" title="4348: proskommatos (N-GNS) -- A stumbling-block, an occasion for falling, a moral embarrassment. From proskopto; a stub, i.e. occasion of apostasy.">a stumbling block.</a> 21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:8-13</a> But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. / Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. / For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols? ... <a href="/1_corinthians/10-23.htm">1 Corinthians 10:23-33</a> “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying. / No one should seek his own good, but the good of others. / Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, ... <a href="/mark/7-18.htm">Mark 7:18-19</a> “Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, / because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.) <a href="/acts/10-15.htm">Acts 10:15</a> The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” <a href="/1_timothy/4-4.htm">1 Timothy 4:4-5</a> For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, / because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. <a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Matthew 15:11</a> A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.” <a href="/colossians/2-16.htm">Colossians 2:16-17</a> Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ. <a href="/titus/1-15.htm">Titus 1:15</a> To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-12.htm">1 Corinthians 6:12</a> “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. <a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">Galatians 5:13</a> For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. <a href="/genesis/1-29.htm">Genesis 1:29-31</a> Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. / And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. / And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. <a href="/leviticus/11-1.htm">Leviticus 11:1-47</a> The LORD spoke again to Moses and Aaron, telling them, / “Say to the Israelites, ‘Of all the beasts of the earth, these ones you may eat: / You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/14-3.htm">Deuteronomy 14:3-21</a> You must not eat any detestable thing. / These are the animals that you may eat: The ox, the sheep, the goat, / the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep. ... <a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a> Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. <a href="/ezekiel/4-14.htm">Ezekiel 4:14</a> “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eats with offense.For.<a href="/romans/14-15.htm">Romans 14:15</a> But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.<a href="/matthew/18-6.htm">Matthew 18:6</a> But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.<a href="/1_corinthians/6-12.htm">1 Corinthians 6:12,13</a> All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any… the work.<a href="/ephesians/2-10.htm">Ephesians 2:10</a> For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.<a href="/philippians/1-6.htm">Philippians 1:6</a> Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:All.<a href="/romans/14-14.htm">Romans 14:14</a> I 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.<a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Matthew 15:11</a> Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.<a href="/acts/10-15.htm">Acts 10:15</a> And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.but.<a href="/romans/14-15.htm">Romans 14:15,21</a> But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died… <a href="/1_corinthians/8-9.htm">1 Corinthians 8:9-12</a> But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak… <a href="/1_corinthians/10-32.htm">1 Corinthians 10:32,33</a> Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/14-15.htm">Account</a> <a href="/romans/14-13.htm">Block</a> <a href="/romans/9-33.htm">Causes</a> <a href="/acts/24-18.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/amos/4-13.htm">Creates</a> <a href="/romans/14-15.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/romans/14-15.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/romans/14-6.htm">Eateth</a> <a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/romans/14-6.htm">Eats</a> <a href="/romans/14-16.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/romans/14-13.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Food</a> <a href="/romans/14-6.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/romans/14-10.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/14-13.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/romans/11-11.htm">However</a> <a href="/romans/11-30.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/romans/14-19.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/romans/9-33.htm">Offence</a> <a href="/romans/9-33.htm">Offense</a> <a href="/romans/14-7.htm">Others</a> <a href="/romans/11-12.htm">Overthrow</a> <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/romans/14-6.htm">Sake</a> <a href="/romans/11-9.htm">Snare</a> <a href="/romans/10-14.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/romans/11-11.htm">Stumble</a> <a href="/romans/14-13.htm">Stumbling</a> <a href="/john/19-24.htm">Tear</a> <a href="/acts/27-38.htm">Throwing</a> <a href="/romans/13-10.htm">Work</a> <a href="/romans/13-10.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/4-1.htm">Account</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">Block</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-7.htm">Causes</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-7.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/philippians/2-13.htm">Creates</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-19.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/romans/14-21.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/romans/14-23.htm">Eateth</a> <a href="/romans/14-21.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/romans/14-23.htm">Eats</a> <a href="/romans/16-18.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-13.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-2.htm">Food</a> <a href="/romans/14-22.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/romans/15-8.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/16-6.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/romans/15-20.htm">However</a> <a href="/romans/15-27.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/romans/14-21.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/romans/14-21.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">Offence</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-32.htm">Offense</a> <a href="/romans/15-14.htm">Others</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-4.htm">Overthrow</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-12.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/romans/15-30.htm">Sake</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-35.htm">Snare</a> <a href="/romans/15-20.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/romans/14-21.htm">Stumble</a> <a href="/romans/16-17.htm">Stumbling</a> <a href="/revelation/7-17.htm">Tear</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-4.htm">Throwing</a> <a href="/romans/15-17.htm">Work</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-4.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 14</div>1. <a href="/romans/14-1.htm">Men may not condemn one another for disputable matters;</a> 13. <a href="/romans/14-13.htm">but must take heed that they give no offense in them;</a> 15. <a href="/romans/14-15.htm">which the apostle proves unlawful by many reasons.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/romans/14.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>Do not destroy The Greek word for "destroy" is "καταλύω" (katalyō), which means to dissolve, demolish, or overthrow. In the context of this verse, it emphasizes the severity of causing harm to the spiritual growth or unity within the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul is urging believers to be mindful of their actions, particularly in matters of personal liberty, so as not to cause spiritual ruin or division among fellow Christians. This reflects the broader biblical principle of edification over personal freedom.the work of God This phrase refers to the divine activity and purpose in the lives of believers and the church as a whole. The "work of God" encompasses the building up of the church, the sanctification of believers, and the spread of the Gospel. Historically, the early church faced challenges in maintaining unity amidst diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Paul reminds the Roman Christians that their actions should support, not hinder, God's redemptive work.for the sake of food In the first-century context, food was a contentious issue, particularly concerning Jewish dietary laws and Gentile practices. The Greek word "βρῶμα" (brōma) simply means food, but it carries significant cultural and religious implications. Paul is addressing the potential for division over dietary practices, urging believers to prioritize spiritual unity over personal dietary preferences. This reflects the broader New Testament teaching that the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (<a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Romans 14:17</a>).All food is clean This statement aligns with the New Testament teaching that, in Christ, the ceremonial laws distinguishing clean and unclean foods are fulfilled. The Greek word "καθαρός" (katharos) means pure or clean. Paul affirms the freedom believers have in Christ regarding dietary laws, as seen in Peter's vision in <a href="/acts/10.htm">Acts 10</a> and Jesus' teaching in <a href="/mark/7-19.htm">Mark 7:19</a>. However, this freedom is not to be exercised at the expense of others' consciences.but it is wrong The Greek word "κακός" (kakos) means bad or evil. Paul is making a moral judgment about the misuse of Christian liberty. While all food is clean, it becomes morally wrong when it leads to harm or offense to a fellow believer. This highlights the ethical responsibility Christians have to consider the impact of their actions on others.for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block The term "stumbling block" comes from the Greek "πρόσκομμα" (proskomma), meaning an obstacle or cause for falling. In biblical terms, it refers to actions that lead others into sin or cause them to falter in their faith. Paul is emphasizing the importance of love and consideration for others, urging believers to avoid actions that could lead others away from Christ. This principle of self-sacrifice for the sake of others' spiritual well-being is a recurring theme in Paul's letters and reflects the heart of Christian community and discipleship.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/14.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) Destroy not.--A different word from that employed in <a href="/romans/14-15.htm" title="But if your brother be grieved with your meat, now walk you not charitably. Destroy not him with your meat, for whom Christ died.">Romans 14:15</a>. It is the correlative and opposite of "edify," and means to "unbuild" or "pull down."The work of God.--The fabric which the grace of God has begun, and which the edification of Christians by each other may help to raise in the soul; the gradual formation of a truly Christian character, both spiritual and moral.For that man who eateth with offence.--It seems, on the whole, best (though the other view is taken) to refer the "eating" here to the strong in faith, and the "offence" to that which his eating causes to the weaker brethren. The force of the preposition is that his eating is attended with offence. <a href="/commentaries/romans/14-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>{Do} not μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. destroy κατάλυε (katalye) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2647.htm">Strong's 2647: </a> From kata and luo; to loosen down, i.e. to demolish; specially to halt for the night. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. work ἔργον (ergon) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2041.htm">Strong's 2041: </a> From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act. of God Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. for the sake of ἕνεκεν (heneken) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1752.htm">Strong's 1752: </a> Or heneken hen'-ek-en or heineken hi'-nek-en; of uncertain affinity; on account of. food. βρώματος (brōmatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1033.htm">Strong's 1033: </a> Food of any kind. From the base of bibrosko; food, especially articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law. All [food is] πάντα (panta) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. clean, καθαρά (kathara) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2513.htm">Strong's 2513: </a> Clean. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. [it is] wrong κακὸν (kakon) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2556.htm">Strong's 2556: </a> Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious. for a man ἀνθρώπῳ (anthrōpō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. to let his eating be ἐσθίοντι (esthionti) Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2068.htm">Strong's 2068: </a> Strengthened for a primary edo; used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by phago; to eat. a stumbling block. προσκόμματος (proskommatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4348.htm">Strong's 4348: </a> A stumbling-block, an occasion for falling, a moral embarrassment. From proskopto; a stub, i.e. occasion of apostasy. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/14-20.htm">Romans 14:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/14-20.htm">Romans 14:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/14-20.htm">Romans 14:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/14-20.htm">Romans 14:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/14-20.htm">Romans 14:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/14-20.htm">Romans 14:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/14-20.htm">Romans 14:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/14-20.htm">Romans 14:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/14-20.htm">Romans 14:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/14-20.htm">Romans 14:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/14-20.htm">NT Letters: Romans 14:20 Don't overthrow God's work for food's sake (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/14-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 14:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 14:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/14-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 14:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 14:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>