Romans 14:15

But if thy brother be grieved with [thy] meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

But {G1161} if {G1487} thy {G4675} brother {G80} be grieved {G3076} with {G1223} thy meat {G1033}, now {G3765} walkest thou {G4043} not {G3765} charitably {G26}{G2596}. Destroy {G622} not {G3361} him {G1565} with thy {G4675} meat {G1033}, for {G5228} whom {G3739} Christ {G5547} died {G599}.

and if your brother is being upset by the food you eat, your life is no longer one of love. Do not, by your eating habits, destroy someone for whom the Messiah died!

If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.

For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died.

Romans 14:15 serves as a powerful reminder of Christian charity and the importance of considering the consciences of fellow believers. In this verse, the Apostle Paul urges believers to prioritize love and unity over personal liberties, especially concerning matters of disputable opinion.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Romans 14 where Paul addresses the tension between "strong" and "weak" believers within the early church. The "strong" were those who understood their Christian liberty to eat all foods (including meat that might have been sacrificed to idols) and to regard all days as equal. The "weak" had scruples, perhaps due to previous Jewish dietary laws or pagan associations, and felt it was wrong to eat certain foods or to neglect observing specific days. Paul's primary concern is not to define who is "right" in these disputable matters, but to ensure that the exercise of one's freedom does not cause a fellow believer to stumble or be grieved. This broader context is established from Romans 14:1, where he advises receiving those who are weak in faith without passing judgment on their opinions.

Key Themes

  • Love Over Personal Liberty: The core message is that while believers have freedom in Christ, this liberty must always be exercised in the spirit of agape love. If an action, though permissible for you, causes distress or spiritual harm to another, it ceases to be a loving act.
  • Consideration for Others' Conscience: Paul emphasizes the need to be sensitive to the consciences of others. What might be harmless for one believer could be a significant stumbling block for another, potentially leading them to violate their own conscience or doubt their faith. This principle is also profoundly explored in 1 Corinthians 8 regarding meat sacrificed to idols.
  • The Value of a Brother: The profound statement "for whom Christ died" highlights the immense value God places on each believer. To cause a brother to "destroy" (spiritually undermine) their faith for the sake of personal preference is to disregard the very sacrifice of Christ for them. This resonates with the call to bear the infirmities of the weak.
  • Edification and Unity: The ultimate goal is not self-gratification but the building up of the body of Christ. Actions should contribute to unity and spiritual growth, not division or spiritual ruin.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Charitably" (Greek: agape): The word translated as "charitably" is agape, which signifies selfless, unconditional love that always seeks the highest good of the other. It's a love that prioritizes the well-being and spiritual growth of a fellow believer above one's own desires or rights.
  • "Destroy" (Greek: apollymi): This powerful word means to ruin, bring to naught, or cause to perish. In this context, it refers to causing spiritual harm, leading a brother to stumble, violate their conscience, or potentially abandon their faith. It's a grave warning against undermining the spiritual integrity of someone for whom Christ gave His life.

Practical Application

Romans 14:15 remains highly relevant for Christians today. It encourages believers to look beyond their personal rights and freedoms to consider the impact their actions have on others, especially those with different convictions or sensitivities. This principle extends far beyond dietary matters to include various aspects of Christian living, social choices, and cultural engagements. It calls for a humble, sacrificial love that seeks to preserve the unity of the Spirit and build up the church, remembering that every believer is precious in God's sight, having been bought with the high price of Christ's blood.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:11

    And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

  • 1 Corinthians 8:12

    But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

  • Philippians 2:2

    Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind.

  • Philippians 2:4

    Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

  • Galatians 5:13

    ¶ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

  • Ephesians 5:2

    And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:1

    ¶ Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
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