Romans 14:13-23

Romans 14:13-23

[13] not therefore  judge  one another  any more:  but  judge  rather,  that no man  put  a stumblingblock  or  an occasion to fall  in his brother's way.  [14] I know,  and  am persuaded  by  the Lord  Jesus,  that  there is nothing  unclean  of  itself:  to him that esteemeth  any thing  unclean,  to him  it is unclean.  [15] if  brother  be grieved  with  thy meat,  walkest thou  not  charitably.  Destroy  not  him  meat,  for  whom  Christ  died.  [16] not  then  good  be evil spoken of:  [17] For  the kingdom  of God  not  meat  and  drink;  but  righteousness,  and  peace,  and  joy  in  the Holy  Ghost.  [18] For  he that in  serveth  Christ  is acceptable  to God,  and  approved  of men.  [19] therefore  follow after  the things which make for  peace,  and  things wherewith  may edify  another.  [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.  [21] It is good  neither  to eat  flesh,  nor  to drink  wine,  nor  any thing whereby  brother  stumbleth,  or  is offended,  or  is made weak.  [22] Hast  thou  faith?  have  it to  thyself  before  God.  Happy  is he that condemneth  not  himself  in  that thing which  he alloweth.  [23] And  he that doubteth  is damned  if  he eat,  because  he eateth not  of  faith:  for  whatsoever  is not  of  faith  sin. 

What does Romans 14:13-23 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In the previous section Paul addressed both the "weak" and the "strong" Christians, but he spoke mainly about the weaker brother"s temptation to condemn the stronger believer. In this section he dealt more with the temptation that the stronger brother faces. Paul structured his argument in a chiasm. [1]
AWarning about stumbling blocks (13b)BNothing is "unclean" in itself (14a)CWarning about destroying one for whom Christ died (15b)C"Warning about tearing down the work of God (20a)B"All things are "clean" in themselves (20b)A"Warning about causing another believer to stumble (21)