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Sunday, October 13th, 2024
the Week of Proper 23 / Ordinary 28
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Christian Standard Bible ®

Romans 14:20

Do not tear down God's work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong for a man to cause stumbling by what he eats.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Charitableness;   Commandments;   Conscience;   Evil;   Expediency;   Fellowship;   Self-Denial;   The Topic Concordance - Damnation;   Meat;   Sacrifice;   Stumbling/slipping;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Self-Denial;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Meats;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Brother;   Food;   Idol, idolatry;   Self-discipline;   Uncleanness;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Evil;   Law of Christ;   Strong and Weak;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Meat;   Paul;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Food Offered to Idols;   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 - Commandment;   Fornication ;   Offence;   Offence (2);   Romans Epistle to the;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Interesting facts about the bible;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Meats;  

Encyclopedias:

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

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for February 28;  

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
Don't tear the crew apart over beans or bacon. They are both fine as long as it doesn't cause another man to fall from the saddle.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
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.
Legacy Standard Bible
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.
Bible in Basic English
Do not let the work of God come to nothing on account of food. All things are certainly clean; but it is evil for that man who by taking food makes it hard for another.
Darby Translation
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].
World English Bible
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.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure: but it is evil to that man who eateth with offence.
Weymouth's New Testament
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.
King James Version (1611)
For meat, destroy not the worke of God: all things indeed are pure; but it is euill for that man who eateth with offence.
Literal Translation
Do not by your food undo the work of God. Truly, all things are clean, but it is bad to the man who eats through a stumbling-block.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Destroye not ye worke of God for eny meates sake. All thinges truly are cleane, but it is euell for yt ma, which eateth wt hurte of his coscience
Mace New Testament (1729)
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.
Amplified Bible
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].
American Standard Version
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.
Revised Standard Version
Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for any one to make others fall by what he eats;
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Destroye not ye worke of god for a lytell meates sake. All thinges are pure: but it is evyll for that man which eateth with hurte of his conscience.
Update Bible Version
Don't overthrow the work of God for meat's sake. All things indeed are clean; nevertheless it is evil for that man who eats with offense.
Webster's Bible Translation
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.
Young's Literal Translation
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.
New Century Version
Do not let the eating of food destroy the work of God. All foods are all right to eat, but it is wrong to eat food that causes someone else to sin.
New English Translation
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
Contemporary English Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
Don't tear down God's work for the sake of food. True enough, all things are clean; but it is wrong for anybody by his eating to cause someone to fall away.
English Standard Version
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.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Destroy not the worke of God for meates sake: all things in deede are pure: but it is euill for the man which eateth with offence.
George Lamsa Translation
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.
Hebrew Names Version
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.
International Standard Version
Do not destroy God's work for the sake of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong to make another person fall because of what you eat.Matthew 15:11; Acts 10:15; Romans 10:14; 14:15; 1 Corinthians 8:9-12; Titus 1:15;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
and not for the sake of meats undo the work of Aloha. For each thing is pure, yet evil is it to the man who eateth with offence.
Murdock Translation
And let us not, on account of food, destroy the work of God. For every thing is, [fn] pure; yet it is evil, to the man who eateth with stumbling.
New King James Version
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.
New Living Translation
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.
New Life Bible
Do not destroy what God has done just because of some food. All food is good to eat. But it is wrong to eat anything that will make someone fall into sin.
English Revised Version
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.
New Revised Standard
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;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Do not, for the sake of food, be throwing down the work of God! All things, indeed, are pure; but, ill, is it for the man who with occasion of stumbling doth eat, -
Douay-Rheims Bible
Destroy not the work of God for meat. All things indeed are clean: but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
King James Version
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Lexham English Bible
Do not destroy the work of God on account of food. All things are clean, but it is wrong for the person who eats and stumbles in the process.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Destroy not the worke of God for meates sake. All thinges are pure: but it is euyll for that man, which eateth with offence.
Easy-to-Read Version
Don't let the eating of food destroy the work of God. All food is right to eat, but it is wrong for anyone to eat something that hurts the faith of another person.
New American Standard Bible
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.
Good News Translation
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.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Nyle thou for mete distrie the werk of God. For alle thingis ben clene, but it is yuel to the man that etith bi offendyng.

Contextual Overview

1 Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but don't argue about doubtful issues. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, but one who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not criticize one who does, because God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to criticize another's household slave? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand. For the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person considers one day to be above another day. Someone else considers every day to be the same. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honor of the Lord. Whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; and whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat it, yet he thanks God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and came to life for this: that He might rule over both the dead and the living. 10 But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the tribunal of God.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

For: Romans 14:15, Matthew 18:6, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 6:13, 1 Corinthians 8:8, 1 Corinthians 8:13, 1 Corinthians 10:31

the work: Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 1:6

All: Romans 14:14, Matthew 15:11, Acts 10:15, 1 Timothy 4:3-5, Titus 1:15

but: Romans 14:15, Romans 14:21, 1 Corinthians 8:9-12, 1 Corinthians 10:32, 1 Corinthians 10:33

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:3 - even Leviticus 7:19 - General Numbers 32:15 - ye shall Ezekiel 44:31 - General Matthew 5:30 - offend Luke 17:1 - It is Acts 15:29 - ye abstain 1 Corinthians 8:11 - shall 1 Corinthians 10:23 - things are lawful Philippians 1:10 - without Colossians 2:16 - in meat 1 Timothy 4:4 - and

Cross-References

Genesis 9:26
He also said: Praise the Lord , the God of Shem; Canaan will be his slave.
Genesis 14:3
All of these came as allies to the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Dead Sea).
Genesis 14:4
They were subject to Chedorlaomer for 12 years, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
Genesis 14:5
In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim,
Genesis 14:6
and the Horites in the mountains of Seir, as far as El-paran by the wilderness.
Genesis 14:9
against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.
Genesis 14:17
After Abram returned from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).
Genesis 14:19
He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
Genesis 24:27
and said, "Praise the Lord , the God of my master Abraham, who has not withheld His kindness and faithfulness from my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives."
Genesis 28:22
This stone that I have set up as a marker will be God's house, and I will give to You a tenth of all that You give me."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For meat destroy not the work of God,.... The Syriac reads it, "the works of God"; referring either to righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, of which the kingdom of God consists; or to the weak brother, who both as a creature, and as a new creature, is the workmanship of God; and to the good work of grace, the work of faith upon his soul, which is the work of God; or rather to his peace, and the peace of the church of Christ, which is both the will and work of God; peace is what he calls his people to, and what he himself is the author of; and may be destroyed, and sometimes is, by trifling things; whereas a true believer, though ever so weak, cannot be destroyed, nor the good work of God upon his soul be lost, nor any part of it; not the work of faith, which Christ prays for that it fail not, and is both the author and finisher of; but the work of peace and edification in particular persons, and in a church, may be destroyed, but it is pity it should, by so small a matter, so trivial a thing as meat, or the use of anything that is indifferent:

all things indeed are pure. The Ethiopic version adds, "to the pure"; to them that have pure consciences, sprinkled by the blood of Christ, and have no doubt or scruple about eating things indifferent; but this addition seems to be taken out of Titus 1:15; though it may serve to explain the sense, which is, that all sorts of food, without any distinction, may be eaten; there is nothing common or unclean, every creature in itself is good, and every Christian may lawfully eat thereof, with moderation and thankfulness. This is a concession which stands thus corrected and restrained,

but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. The Arabic version adds, "of his neighbour"; which is a good interpretation of the passage; for the apostle means not with offence to a man's own conscience, though so to eat is an evil too, but with offence to a fellow Christian; it is not an evil in itself to eat, but when this circumstance of offending another thereby attends it; it is evil, though not in itself, yet in its consequences; it offends a weak brother, displeases Christ, who would not have one of his little ones offended, and brings a woe upon the person by whom the offence comes. The Ethiopic version reads, "who eats inordinately"; which to be sure is sinful, but is not the meaning here.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For 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 figure which he used in the previous verse. Do not pull down or destroy the “temple” which God is rearing.

The work of God - The work of God is what God does, and here especially refers to his work in rearing “his church.” The “Christian” is regarded specially as the work of God, as God renews his heart and makes him what he is. Hence, he is called God’s “building” 1 Corinthians 3:9, and his “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works” Ephesians 2:10, and is denominated “a new creature;” 2 Corinthians 5:17. The meaning is, “Do not so conduct yourself, in regard to the distinction of meats into clean and unclean, as to cause your brother to sin, and to impair or ruin the work of religion which God is carrying on in his soul.” The expression does not refer to “man” as being the work of God, but to the “piety” of the Christian; to what God, by his Spirit, is producing in the heart of the believer.

All things are indeed pure - Compare Romans 14:14. This is a concession to those whom he was exhorting to peace. All things under the Christian dispensation are lawful to be eaten. The distinctions of the Levitical law are not binding on Christians.

But it is evil - Though pure in itself, yet it may become an occasion of sin, if another is grieved by it. It is evil to the man who pursues a course that will give offence to a brother; that will pain him, or tend to drive him off from the church, or lead him any way into sin.

With offence - So as to offend a brother, such as he esteems to be sin, and by which he will be grieved.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Romans 14:20. For 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 eaten; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence-the man who either eats contrary to his own conscience, or so as to grieve and stumble another, does an evil act; and however lawful the thing may be in itself, his conduct does not please God.


 
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