The Meaning of Romans 14:19 Explained

Romans 14:19

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

YLT: So, then, the things of peace may we pursue, and the things of building up one another;

Darby: So then let us pursue the things which tend to peace, and things whereby one shall build up another.

ASV: So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Romans 14:19 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The things that make for peace in the context refer to practices that do not cause others to stumble and attitudes that are non-judgmental. Peace between the strong and the weak is in view primarily. Rather than tearing down, we should do things that build one another up ( 1 Corinthians 10:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). For the strong this might be foregoing some legitimate amoral practice. For the weak it could be refraining from verbal criticism and judgmental thinking.

Context Summary

Romans 14:13-23 - Yielding Rights For Others' Sake
We must be careful of one another's faith. Unkind criticism or ridicule, or the strong pressure of our arguments and reasons may impede the divine life in weaker natures by leading them to act in defiance of their own conscientious convictions. We must not flaunt our greater liberty or urge men to act against their conscience. We may, of course, temperately and lovingly explain why we are not held by minute scruples. We may show, as Paul did repeatedly, that Christ has called us to liberty; but we must not attempt the regulation of one another's conduct from without. The sanctuary of the soul must be left un-invaded. The Spirit alone may speak His oracles in the shrine.
Leave each disciple to his own Master, each plant to the Gardener, each child to the divine Fatherhood. In many things you may grant yourself a wider liberty than others allow themselves; but it must be used wisely, and you must refuse to avail yourself of it whenever those around you may be positively imperiled. We need not mind the censorious criticism of the Pharisee, but like the Good Shepherd with His flock, we must accommodate our pace to that of the lambs, Isaiah 40:11. [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 14

1  Men may not condemn one another for disputable matters;
13  but must take heed that they give no offense in them;
15  which the apostle proves unlawful by many reasons

Greek Commentary for Romans 14:19

So then [αρα ουν]
Two inferential particles, “accordingly therefore.” [source]
Let us follow after [διωκωμεν]
Present active subjunctive (volitive). “Let us pursue.” Some MSS. have present indicative, “we pursue.” The things which make for peace (τα της ειρηνης — ta tēs eirēnēs). “The things of peace,” literally, genitive case. So “the things of edification for one another” (τα της οικοδομης της εις αλληλους — ta tēs oikodomēs tēs eis allēlous). [source]
The things which make for peace [τα της ειρηνης]
“The things of peace,” literally, genitive case. So “the things of edification for one another” (τα της οικοδομης της εις αλληλους — ta tēs oikodomēs tēs eis allēlous). [source]
Things which make for peace [τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης]
Lit. the things of peace. So the next clause, things of edification. See on build you up, Acts 20:32. Edification is upbuilding. [source]
One another [τῆς εἰς ἀλλήλους]
The Greek phrase has a defining force which is lost in the translations. Lit., things of edification, that, namely, which is with reference to one another. The definite article thus points Paul's reference to individuals rather than to the Church as a whole. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 14:19

Luke 14:32 Conditions of peace [τὰ πρὸς εἰρήνην]
Lit., this looking toward peace: preliminaries. Compare Romans 14:19, things which make for peace ( τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης , the things of peace)i1. [source]
Luke 14:32 An ambassage [πρεσβειαν]
Old and common word for the office of ambassador, composed of old men The use of ερωταω — erōtaō in this sense of beg or petition is common in the papyri and Koiné generally. The original use of asking a question survives also. The text is uncertain concerning προς ειρηνην — pros eirēnēn which means with ερωταω — erōtaō to ask negotiations for peace. In B we have εις — eis instead of προς — pros like Luke 14:28. Most MSS. have τα — ta before προς — pros or εις — eis but not in Aleph and B. It is possible that the τα — ta was omitted because of preceding ται — tai (ομοεοτελευτον — homoeoteleuton), but the sense is the same. See note on Romans 14:19 τα της ειρηνης — ta tēs eirēnēs the things of peace, which concern or look towards peace, the preliminaries of peace. [source]
Luke 14:32 Asketh conditions of peace [ερωται προς ειρηνην]
The use of ερωταω — erōtaō in this sense of beg or petition is common in the papyri and Koiné generally. The original use of asking a question survives also. The text is uncertain concerning προς ειρηνην — pros eirēnēn which means with ερωταω — erōtaō to ask negotiations for peace. In B we have εις — eis instead of προς — pros like Luke 14:28. Most MSS. have τα — ta before προς — pros or εις — eis but not in Aleph and B. It is possible that the τα — ta was omitted because of preceding ται — tai (ομοεοτελευτον — homoeoteleuton), but the sense is the same. See note on Romans 14:19 τα της ειρηνης — ta tēs eirēnēs the things of peace, which concern or look towards peace, the preliminaries of peace. [source]
Luke 18:8 Howbeit [πλην]
It is not clear whether this sentence is also a question or a positive statement. There is no way to decide. Either will make sense though not quite the same sense. The use of αρα — āra before ευρησει — heurēsei seems to indicate a question expecting a negative answer as in Acts 8:30; Romans 14:19. But here αρα — āra comes in the middle of the sentence instead of near the beginning, an unusual position for either inferential αρα — āra or interrogative αρα — āra On the whole the interrogative αρα — āra is probably correct, meaning to question if the Son will find a persistence of faith like that of the widow. [source]
Romans 14:20 Destroy [κατάλυε]
A different word from that In Romans 14:15. It means to loosen down, and is used of the destruction of buildings. Hence according with edification in Romans 14:19. See on Mark 13:2; see on Acts 5:38. [source]
Romans 15:2 For that which is good [εις το αγατον]
“For the good.” As in Romans 14:16, Romans 14:19. Not to please men just for popular favours, but for their benefit. [source]
1 Corinthians 3:9 Building [οἰκοδομή]
Paul's metaphors are drawn from the works and customs of men rather than from the works of nature. “In his epistles,” says Archdeacon Farrar, “we only breathe the air of cities and synagogues.” The abundance of architectural metaphors is not strange in view of the magnificent temples and public buildings which he was continually seeing at Antioch, Athens, Corinth, and Ephesus. His frequent use of to build and building in a moral and spiritual sense is noteworthy. In this sense the two words οἰκοδομέω and οἰκοδομή occur twenty-six times in the New Testament, and in all but two cases in Paul's writings. Peter uses build in a similar sense; 1 Peter 2:5. See edify, edification, build, Acts 9:31; Romans 15:20; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 8:10, where emboldened is literally built up, and is used ironically. Also Romans 14:19; Romans 15:2; 1 Corinthians 14:3; Ephesians 2:21, etc. It is worth noting that in the Epistle to the Hebrews, while the same metaphor occurs, different words are used. Thus in Hebrews 3:3, Hebrews 3:4, built, builded, represent κατασκευάζω toprepare. In Hebrews 11:10, τεχνίτης artificerand δημιουργὸς , lit., a workman for the public: A.V., builder and maker. This fact has a bearing on the authorship of the epistle. In earlier English, edify was used for build in the literal sense. Thus Piers Ploughman: “I shal overturne this temple and a-down throwe it, and in thre daies after edifie it newe.” See on Acts 20:32. In the double metaphor of the field and the building, the former furnishes the mould of Paul's thought in 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, and the latter in 1 Corinthians 3:10-17. Edwards remarks that the field describes the raw material on which God works, the house the result of the work. [source]
2 Timothy 2:22 Peace [εἰρήνην]
Not a distinct virtue in the list, but a consequence of the pursuit of the virtues enumerated. Const. with with them that call, etc. For peace with διώκειν pursuesee Romans 14:19; Hebrews 12:14, and Psalm 34:14, cit. 1 Peter 3:11. [source]
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace [εἰρήνην διώκετε]
Comp. lxx, Romans href="/desk/?q=ro+14:19&sr=1">Romans 14:19; 1 Peter 3:11. The verb is used of the pursuit of moral and spiritual ends, Romans 9:30, Romans 9:31; Romans 12:13; 1 Corinthians 14:1; Philemon 3:12, Philemon 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22. [source]
Hebrews 12:14 Follow after peace [ειρηνην διωκετε]
Give peace a chase as if in a hunt. With all men Like Paul‘s use of διωκω — diōkō with ειρηνην — eirēnēn in Romans 14:19 and his to εχ υμων — ex humōn (so far as proceeds from you) in Hebrews 12:18. This lesson the whole world needs including Christians. Sanctification Consecration as in 1 Thessalonians 4:7; Romans 6:19, etc. Without which Ablative case of the relative with χωρις — chōris (post positive here). About seeing God compare Matthew 5:8 where we have καταροι — katharoi f0). [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 14:19 mean?

So then the things - of peace we should pursue and for edification among each other
Ἄρα οὖν τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης διώκωμεν καὶ οἰκοδομῆς εἰς ἀλλήλους

Ἄρα  So 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἄρα  
Sense: therefore, so then, wherefore.
τὰ  the  things 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
τῆς  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
εἰρήνης  of  peace 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: εἰρήνη  
Sense: a state of national tranquillity.
διώκωμεν  we  should  pursue 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: διώκω  
Sense: to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away.
οἰκοδομῆς  for  edification 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: οἰκοδομή  
Sense: (the act of) building, building up.
ἀλλήλους  each  other 
Parse: Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀλλήλων  
Sense: one another, reciprocally, mutually.