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Friday, October 25th, 2024
the Week of Proper 24 / Ordinary 29
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Amplified Bible

Romans 14:14

I know and am convinced [as one] in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean [ritually defiled, and unholy] in itself; but [nonetheless] it is unclean to anyone who thinks it is unclean.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Charitableness;   Commandments;   Conscience;   Evil;   Expediency;   Fellowship;   Food;   Integrity;   Self-Denial;   Uncharitableness;   Thompson Chain Reference - Mind;   The Topic Concordance - Meat;   Sacrifice;   Stumbling/slipping;   Uncleanness;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Defilement;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Common;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Brother;   Food;   Idol, idolatry;   Uncleanness;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Clean, Unclean;   Law of Christ;   Motives;   Strong and Weak;   Union with Christ;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Food Offered to Idols;   Knowledge;   Romans, Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Clean and Unclean;   Ethics;   Judging;   Romans, Epistle to the;   Wine and Strong Drink;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Clean, Unclean, Common;   Commandment;   Confession;   Gospels (2);   Impotence;   Knowledge;   Worldliness;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - 41 Common Unclean Defiled Profane;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Interesting facts about the bible;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Unclean;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Drunkenness;   Esteem;   Uncleanness;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Saul of Tarsus;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for May 30;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
I know that there is no food that is wrong to eat. The Lord Jesus is the one who convinced me of that. But if someone believes that something is wrong, then it is wrong for that person.
Revised Standard Version
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for any one who thinks it unclean.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For I knowe and am full certified in the Lorde Iesus that ther is nothinge comen of it selfe: but vnto him that iudgeth it to be comen: to him is it comen.
Hebrew Names Version
I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Yeshua, that nothing is unclean of itself; except that to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
International Standard Version
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in and of itself. But it is unclean to a person who thinks it is unclean.Acts 10:15; Romans 10:2,20; Romans 10:2,20, 1 Corinthians 8:7,10; 10:25; 1 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:15;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to the one who thinks something is unclean, to that person it is unclean.
New Century Version
I am in the Lord Jesus, and I know that there is no food that is wrong to eat. But if a person believes something is wrong, that thing is wrong for him.
Update Bible Version
I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounts anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Webster's Bible Translation
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean by itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean.
English Standard Version
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
World English Bible
I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself; except that to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
I know and am assured by the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: but to him that accounteth any thing to be unclean, it is unclean.
Weymouth's New Testament
As one who lives in union with the Lord Jesus, I know and am certain that in its own nature no food is `impure'; but if people regard any food as impure, to them it is.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
I woot and triste in the Lord Jhesu, that no thing is vnclene bi hym, no but to him that demeth ony thing to be vnclene, to him it is vnclene.
English Revised Version
I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Berean Standard Bible
I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
Contemporary English Version
The Lord Jesus has made it clear to me that God considers all foods fit to eat. But if you think some foods are unfit to eat, then for you they are not fit.
American Standard Version
I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Bible in Basic English
I am conscious of this, and am certain in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself; but for the man in whose opinion it is unclean, for him it is unclean.
Complete Jewish Bible
I know — that is, I have been persuaded by the Lord Yeshua the Messiah — that nothing is unclean in itself. But if a person considers something unclean, then for him it is unclean;
Darby Translation
I 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.
Etheridge Translation
For I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jeshu, that a thing which is unclean from itself is not (so); but to him who judgeth of any thing that it is polluted, to him only it is polluted.
Murdock Translation
I know indeed, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing which is unclean in itself; but to him who thinketh any thing to be unclean, to him only it is defiled.
King James Version (1611)
I know, and am perswaded by the Lord Iesus, that there is nothing vncleane of it selfe: but to him that esteemeth any thing to bee vncleane, to him it is vncleane.
New Living Translation
I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong.
New Life Bible
Christ has made me know that everything in itself is clean. But if a person thinks something is not clean, then to him it is not clean.
New Revised Standard
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
Geneva Bible (1587)
I know, and am perswaded through the Lord Iesus, that there is nothing vncleane of it selfe: but vnto him that iudgeth any thing to be vncleane, to him it is vncleane.
George Lamsa Translation
For I know, and I have confidence in the LORD Jesus, that nothing unclean comes from him: but to him who believes a thing to be unclean, to him only is it unclean.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus - that, nothing, is profane of itself, - save to him who reckoneth anything to be profane, unto that man, it is profane,
Douay-Rheims Bible
I know, and am confident in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For I knowe, and am perswaded by the Lorde Iesus, that there is nothyng common of it selfe: but vnto hym that iudgeth it to be common, to hym is it common.
Good News Translation
My union with the Lord Jesus makes me certain that no food is of itself ritually unclean; but if you believe that some food is unclean, then it becomes unclean for you.
Christian Standard Bible®
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. Still, to someone who considers a thing to be unclean, to that one it is unclean.
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean of itself, except to the one who considers something to be unclean; to that person it is unclean.
Literal Translation
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing by itself is common; except to the one deeming anything to be common, it is common.
Young's Literal Translation
I have known, and am persuaded, in the Lord Jesus, that nothing [is] unclean of itself, except to him who is reckoning anything to be unclean -- to that one [it is] unclean;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
I knowe, & am full certified in ye LORDE Iesu, yt there is nothinge comen of itselfe: but vnto him yt iudgeth it to be comen, to him is it comen.
Mace New Testament (1729)
I know, being fully assured by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: it is only so to him that thinks it is unclean.
New English Translation
I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean in itself; still, it is unclean to the one who considers it unclean.
New King James Version
I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Simplified Cowboy Version
I'm a hundred percent  positive the Lord doesn't care what you eat. But if one person thinks it's wrong to eat something, then it is wrong for them to eat it.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Legacy Standard Bible
I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is defiled in itself; but to him who considers anything to be defiled, to him it is defiled.

Contextual Overview

1As for the one whose faith is weak, accept him [into your fellowship], but not for [the purpose of] quarreling over his opinions. 2One man's faith permits him to eat everything, while the weak believer eats only vegetables [to avoid eating ritually unclean meat or something previously considered unclean]. 3The one who eats [everything] is not to look down on the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat must not criticize or pass judgment on the one who eats [everything], for God has accepted him. 4Who are you to judge the servant of another? Before his own master he stands [approved] or falls [out of favor]. And he [who serves the Master—the Lord] will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5One person regards one day as better [or more important] than another, while another regards every day [the same as any other]. Let everyone be fully convinced (assured, satisfied) in his own mind. 6He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord. He who eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while he who abstains, abstains for the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7None of us lives for himself [for his own benefit, but for the Lord], and none of us dies for himself [but for the Lord]. 8If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 9For Christ died and lived again for this reason, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you again, why do you look down on your [believing] brother or regard him with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God [who alone is judge].

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

and am: Acts 10:28

that there: Romans 14:2, Romans 14:20, 1 Corinthians 10:25, 1 Timothy 4:4, Titus 1:15

unclean: Gr. common, Acts 10:14, Acts 10:15, Acts 11:8, Acts 11:9

to him it: Romans 14:23, 1 Corinthians 8:7, 1 Corinthians 8:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:3 - even Leviticus 7:19 - General Leviticus 11:2 - General Leviticus 11:8 - they are unclean Deuteronomy 14:3 - General Isaiah 52:11 - touch Matthew 15:11 - that which goeth Luke 11:41 - all Acts 15:29 - ye abstain Romans 14:5 - Let Romans 14:22 - thou 1 Corinthians 6:12 - things are lawful Galatians 2:14 - the truth Colossians 2:16 - in meat 2 Timothy 1:5 - I am

Cross-References

Genesis 12:5
Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had acquired, and the people (servants) which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,
Genesis 12:16
Therefore Pharaoh treated Abram well for her sake; he acquired sheep, oxen, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.
Genesis 13:8
So Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife and disagreement between you and me, nor between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, because we are relatives.
Genesis 14:1
In the days of the [Eastern] kings Amraphel of Shinar, Arioch of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer of Elam, and Tidal of Goiim,
Genesis 14:2
they [invaded the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea, and] made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
Genesis 14:3
All of these [kings] joined together [as allies] in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Sea of Salt).
Genesis 14:5
In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the [three] kings who were with him attacked and subdued the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim,
Genesis 14:11
Then the victors took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food supply and provisions and left.
Genesis 14:12
And they also took [captive] Lot, Abram's nephew, and his possessions and left, for he was living in Sodom.
Genesis 15:3
And Abram continued, "Since You have given no child to me, one (a servant) born in my house is my heir."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

I know and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus,.... As for the apostle's own sense and judgment about the distinction of meats, it was this,

that there is nothing unclean of itself; that every creature, as originally made by God, is good; that what is eatable, or fit for food, may be eaten, whatever the Mosaic laws, being now abrogated, say to the contrary; and that whatever physical or natural difference there may be between the creatures of God, one being naturally fit for food, and another not; yet there is no moral distinction between them, there is nothing in any of them that can morally defile a man by eating them; nor indeed is there now any ceremonial distinction between them, and so no ceremonial pollution by them. This was not a bare conjecture, nor a mere opinion, but a point of certain knowledge, a matter of faith, and of full assurance of faith; the apostle was thoroughly persuaded of the truth of it, and had not the least doubt nor difficulty in his mind about it; he was as fully assured of it, as he was of his salvation by Christ, and of his interest in the love of God, from which he could never be separated, and therefore expresses it in language equally as strong; and this he came to the knowledge and persuasion of, "by the Lord Jesus"; by his express words, Matthew 15:11; or by a revelation from him, in which way he had the whole Gospel: he might be informed of this matter in like manner as Peter was, by a vision from heaven,

Acts 10:10, or he knew this through the abrogation of the whole ceremonial law by Christ, who abolished the law of commandments contained in ordinances, and so these laws relating to the difference of meats among the rest; and he knew, that all the creatures in their original creation were good, and though cursed, for man's sake yet Christ had removed the curse, and sanctified them for the use of his people, who, under the Gospel dispensation, might make use of them at pleasure, without distinction: and the Jews themselves own, that what before was unclean, shall in the days of the Messiah be clean: so they explain Psalms 146:7; "the Lord looseth the prisoners", which they would render, "the Lord looseth that which was forbidden"; and give this as the sense r

"every beast which was unclean in this world (the Jewish state), ה"בה מטהר אותה לעתיד לבוא, "God will cleanse it in the time to come" (in the times of the Messiah), when they shall be clean as at the first, to the sons of Noah.''

So they observe, that the Hebrew word for a hog, חזיר, comes from

חזר, which signifies to return; because, say they s, hereafter God will cause it to return to the Israelites; and even now, as formerly, they allow of eating anything that is torn, or dies of itself, or hog's flesh to an army entering into a Gentile country, and subduing it, where they can find nothing else t:

but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean; such a man that thinks the laws concerning clean and unclean meats are still in force, and binding upon him, ought to refrain from eating them; because he would act contrary to his conscience, and so violate and defile it; wherefore though the apostle was so fully satisfied in his own, mind, yet he would not have weak and scrupulous consciences do themselves any hurt through his faith; for if they ate doubtingly, and without faith, it was an evil. Capellus u mentions a rule laid down by the Jews, but does not direct where it is to be found, nor have I yet met with it, very agreeable to this of the apostle's, which runs thus:

"this is the grand general rule in the law, that every thing which thou dost not know, הוא מותר או אסור עליך אסור

אם, "whether it is lawful or unlawful, to thee it is unlawful", until thou hast asked a wise men concerning who may teach thee that it is lawful.''

r Bereshit Rabba in Maji Synops. Jud. Theolog. p. 224. R. Moses Hadarsan in Galatin. de Arcan. Cathol. ver. l. 11. c. 12. p. 699. s Abarbinel. Rosh Amana, c. 13. fol. 18. 2. t Maimon. Hilch. Melacim, c. 8. sect. 1. u In loc.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I know - This is an admission made to the “Gentile” convert, who believed that it was lawful to partake of food of every kind. This the apostle concedes; and says he is fully apprized of this. But though he knew this, yet he goes on to say Romans 14:15, that it would be well to regard the conscientious scruples of others on the subject. It may be remarked here that the apostle Paul had formerly quite as many scruples as any of his brethren had then. But his views had been changed.

And am persuaded - Am convinced.

By the Lord Jesus - This does not mean by any “personal” instruction received from the Lord Jesus, but by all the knowledge which he had received by inspiration of the nature of the Christian religion. The gospel of Jesus had taught him that the rites of the Mosaic economy had been abolished, and among those rites were the rules respecting clean and unclean beasts, etc.

There is nothing unclean - Greek “common.” This word was used by the Jews to denote what was “unclean,” because, in their apprehension, whatever was partaken by the multitude, or all people, must be impure. Hence, the words “common” and “impure” are often used as expressing the same thing. It denotes what was forbidden by the laws of Moses.

To him that esteemeth ... - He makes it a matter of conscience. He regards certain meats as forbidden by God; and while he so regards them, it would be wrong for him to partake of them. Man may be in error, but it would not be proper for him to act in violation of what he “supposes” God requires.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Romans 14:14. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus — After reasoning so long and so much with these contending parties on the subject of their mutual misunderstandings, without attempting to give any opinion, but merely to show them the folly and uncharitableness of their conduct, he now expresses himself fully, and tells them that nothing is unclean of itself, and that he has the inspiration and authority of Jesus Christ to say so; for to such an inspiration he must refer in such words as, I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus. And yet, after having given them this decisive judgment, through respect to the tender, mistaken conscience of weak believers, he immediately adds: But to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean; because if he act contrary to his conscience, he must necessarily contract guilt; for he who acts in opposition to his conscience in one case may do it in another, and thus even the plain declarations of the word of God may be set aside on things of the utmost importance, as well as the erroneous though well-intentioned dictates of his conscience, on matters which he makes of the last consequence; though others who are better taught know them to be indifferent.

It is dangerous to trifle with conscience, even when erroneous; it should be borne with and instructed; it must be won over, not taken by storm. Its feelings should be respected because they ever refer to God, and have their foundation in his fear. He who sins against his conscience in things which every one else knows to be indifferent, will soon do it in those things in which his salvation is most intimately concerned. It is a great blessing to have a well-informed conscience; it is a blessing to have a tender conscience; and even a sore conscience is infinitely better than none.


 
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