Romans

Paul's letter explaining salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and the importance of living a holy life.

Chapter 14

1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

*Accept those who have weak faith, but not through uncertain arguments.

2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

*One person believes they can eat anything. Another, who is weak, only eats plants.

3 Let 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.

*Don't look down on those who don't eat the same as you, and don't criticize them either; because God accepts them just the way they are.

4 Who 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.

*Who are you to judge someone else's helper? They will succeed or fail before their own boss. Yes, they will be supported because God has the power to help them stand firm.

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

*One person thinks one day is more important than others: another person sees every day as the same. Everyone should be completely sure in their own thoughts.

6 He 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.

*If you respect the day, do it for God; if you don't, God isn't a priority for you. When you eat, thank God; if you don't eat, don't eat for God, and still thank Him.

7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

*We all live for others and nobody dies alone.

8 For 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.

*No matter if we live or die, it's for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

*Christ died, rose, and came back to life so that he could be the ruler of both those who are alive and those who have passed away.

10 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.

*Why do you judge your brother or disregard him? Because we will all face the judgment of Christ.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

*It's written that the Lord says, "As I live, everyone will bow down to me and every tongue will admit to God."

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

*So, each of us must explain our actions to God.

13 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.

*So, we shouldn't judge each other anymore. Instead, let's make sure we don't cause our brothers to trip or make mistakes.

14 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.

*I believe, based on what Jesus taught, that nothing is inherently impure. However, if someone thinks something is unclean, for them, it becomes unclean.

15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

*But if your brother is upset by what you eat, don't act kindly. Don't make him unhappy with your food, as Christ died to save him.

16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

*Don't let people say bad things about your goodness.

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

*The kingdom of God isn't about food or drinks; it's about doing what's right, having peace, and feeling happiness from the Holy Spirit.

18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

*If you serve Christ in these actions, God finds you pleasing and people also agree with him.

19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

*So, let's pursue actions that lead to peace and help build each other up.

20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

*Don't ruin God's work by avoiding meat. Everything is pure, but it's wrong for someone to eat if they find it offensive.

21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

*It's not good to eat meat, drink alcohol, or do anything that might upset or weaken someone else.

22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

*Do you believe? Keep that belief for yourself when talking to God. It's good for someone who doesn't judge themselves for the things they permit.

23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

*If someone has doubts and eats, they are condemned because they're not eating with faith; anything done without faith is a sin.

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