Romans 14:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

NIV: Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

NASB: Therefore let’s not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way.

CSB: Therefore, let us no longer judge one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister.

NLT: So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

KJV: Let 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.

NKJV: Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

Paul sums up the previous section and moves on to a new idea. He begins by repeating that no Christian should be passing judgment on other Christians, especially over these disputable matters of opinion like eating meat and observing special days. It will become clear that Paul is writing this new section to those he would describe as having stronger faith. Paul previously referred to Christians who don't eat meat for religious reasons as being weak in faith (Romans 14:1–2). They are not convinced that God in His grace has freed them from legalism and certain prohibitions on food. Paul did not condemn these "weak in faith" believers, however. Instead, he told the stronger Christians to fully accept those weak in faith and not to try to argue them out of their opinion.

Now Paul calls for a new action: deciding not to put anything in the way of other Christians, causing them to trip, spiritually. In the following verses, Paul will tell those who are stronger in faith—in the sense that they are exercising their freedom in Christ to eat meat or not observe special days—to be willing to abstain, if need be, for the sake of the others. This does not mean their actions are, in fact, sinful. However, it does mean they ought to consider the weakness of others when deciding when and if to partake.

Context is crucial in applying this passage. Too often, the term "stumbling block" is used as an accusation by those Paul has described as the "weak in faith." As other verses have made clear (Romans 14:3), believers cannot wield their own convictions like a club, browbeating others into conforming with their preferences (Colossians 2:16–23; 1 Corinthians 10:29–30).

Romans 14:13–23 instructs strong-faith Christians who understand that all food and drink is clean for those who are in Christ to be willing to set aside indulging their freedom for the sake of weaker-faith Christians. Those who cannot partake in good conscience—even though they are free in Christ to do so—should not do so. To violate their conviction is sin. It is also wrong for strong-faith Christians to tempt weaker-faith brothers and sisters into sin by insisting on exercising their own right to eat and drink those things.

In Romans 14, Paul tackles the question of how Christians with different convictions about disputable matters should treat each other in the church. Strong-faith Christians who feel free to eat and drink what was formerly forbidden under the law of Moses should not flaunt their freedoms in front of weaker-faith Christians who are not convinced it is right to participate in those things. Neither group should judge the other. Those strong in their faith should rather yield than lead those weaker in faith to violate their conscience, which is a sin.

Paul turns from the black-and-white instructions about light and darkness in Romans 13 to the issue of disputable matters with the potential to divide the church. Paul instructs those who feel free to participate in activities formally forbidden under the law not to flaunt their freedom in front of those who, by conscience, still believe those actions to be wrong. Those strong-faith Christians should be willing to set aside their freedom to keep from leading their weaker brothers and sisters into sin by violating their convictions. Paul addresses this topic with additional comments in 1 Corinthians chapter 10.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.