The Weak and the Strong

14 Accept the one whose faith is weak,(A) without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.(B) The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt(C) the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge(D) the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?(E) To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

One person considers one day more sacred than another;(F) another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God;(G) and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone,(H) and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.(I) For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life(J) so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.(K)

10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt?(L) For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.(M) 11 It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’(N) says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”[b](O)

12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.(P)

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment(Q) on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.(R) 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.(S) But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.(T) 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love.(U) Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.(V) 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.(W) 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,(X) but of righteousness, peace(Y) and joy in the Holy Spirit,(Z) 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.(AA)

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace(AB) and to mutual edification.(AC) 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.(AD) All food is clean,(AE) but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.(AF) 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.(AG)

22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn(AH) himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts(AI) is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.[c]

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak(AJ) and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good,(AK) to build them up.(AL) For even Christ did not please himself(AM) but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[d](AN) For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,(AO) so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind(AP) toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify(AQ) the God and Father(AR) of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Accept one another,(AS) then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[e](AT) on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises(AU) made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles(AV) might glorify God(AW) for his mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing the praises of your name.”[f](AX)

10 Again, it says,

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”[g](AY)

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
    let all the peoples extol him.”[h](AZ)

12 And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse(BA) will spring up,
    one who will arise to rule over the nations;
    in him the Gentiles will hope.”[i](BB)

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace(BC) as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.(BD)

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness,(BE) filled with knowledge(BF) and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me(BG) 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles.(BH) He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God,(BI) so that the Gentiles might become an offering(BJ) acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus(BK) in my service to God.(BL) 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles(BM) to obey God(BN) by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders,(BO) through the power of the Spirit of God.(BP) So from Jerusalem(BQ) all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.(BR) 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel(BS) where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.(BT) 21 Rather, as it is written:

“Those who were not told about him will see,
    and those who have not heard will understand.”[j](BU)

22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.(BV)

Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you,(BW) 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain.(BX) I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist(BY) me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem(BZ) in the service(CA) of the Lord’s people(CB) there. 26 For Macedonia(CC) and Achaia(CD) were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.(CE) 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.(CF) 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain(CG) and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you,(CH) I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit,(CI) to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.(CJ) 31 Pray that I may be kept safe(CK) from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution(CL) I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people(CM) there, 32 so that I may come to you(CN) with joy, by God’s will,(CO) and in your company be refreshed.(CP) 33 The God of peace(CQ) be with you all. Amen.

Personal Greetings

16 I commend(CR) to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[k][l] of the church in Cenchreae.(CS) I ask you to receive her in the Lord(CT) in a way worthy of his people(CU) and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

Greet Priscilla[m] and Aquila,(CV) my co-workers(CW) in Christ Jesus.(CX) They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

Greet also the church that meets at their house.(CY)

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert(CZ) to Christ in the province of Asia.(DA)

Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews(DB) who have been in prison with me.(DC) They are outstanding among[n] the apostles, and they were in Christ(DD) before I was.

Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.

Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ,(DE) and my dear friend Stachys.

10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.(DF)

Greet those who belong to the household(DG) of Aristobulus.

11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.(DH)

Greet those in the household(DI) of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.

Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.

13 Greet Rufus,(DJ) chosen(DK) in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.

15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people(DL) who are with them.(DM)

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.(DN)

All the churches of Christ send greetings.

17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.(DO) Keep away from them.(DP) 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ,(DQ) but their own appetites.(DR) By smooth talk and flattery they deceive(DS) the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard(DT) about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.(DU)

20 The God of peace(DV) will soon crush(DW) Satan(DX) under your feet.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.(DY)

21 Timothy,(DZ) my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius,(EA) Jason(EB) and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.(EC)

22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius,(ED) whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.

Erastus,(EE) who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. [24] [o]

25 Now to him who is able(EF) to establish you in accordance with my gospel,(EG) the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery(EH) hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings(EI) by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from[p] faith(EJ) 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.(EK)

Footnotes

  1. Romans 14:10 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in verses 13, 15 and 21.
  2. Romans 14:11 Isaiah 45:23
  3. Romans 14:23 Some manuscripts place 16:25-27 here; others after 15:33.
  4. Romans 15:3 Psalm 69:9
  5. Romans 15:8 Greek circumcision
  6. Romans 15:9 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49
  7. Romans 15:10 Deut. 32:43
  8. Romans 15:11 Psalm 117:1
  9. Romans 15:12 Isaiah 11:10 (see Septuagint)
  10. Romans 15:21 Isaiah 52:15 (see Septuagint)
  11. Romans 16:1 Or servant
  12. Romans 16:1 The word deacon refers here to a Christian designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Phil. 1:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12.
  13. Romans 16:3 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
  14. Romans 16:7 Or are esteemed by
  15. Romans 16:24 Some manuscripts include here May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen.
  16. Romans 16:26 Or that is

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

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

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

19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one 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 thy 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 is sin.

15 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.

12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,

16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;

24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;

32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

16 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.

Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.

Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.

10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.

11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.

15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.