Romans 14:23

KJV

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he that doubteth {G1252} is damned {G2632} if {G1437} he eat {G5315}, because {G3754} he eateth not {G3756} of {G1537} faith {G4102}: for {G1161} whatsoever {G3739}{G3956} is not {G3756} of {G1537} faith {G4102} is {G2076} sin {G266}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the doubter comes under condemnation if he eats, because his action is not based on trust. And anything not based on trust is a sin.

Berean Standard Bible

But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin.

American Standard Version

But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 14:23 concludes Paul's discourse on Christian liberty and conscience, asserting a foundational principle for ethical action within the community of faith: any action undertaken by a believer with an unsettled conscience or without clear conviction that it is pleasing to God is, for that individual, a sin. This verse underscores the critical role of personal faith and conviction as the indispensable basis for all Christian conduct, particularly in matters of indifference where no explicit biblical command exists.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 14:23 serves as the culminating principle in a sustained argument (Romans 14:1-23) concerning the proper exercise of Christian freedom, particularly regarding disputed matters like dietary laws and the observance of special days. Paul addresses the tension between "strong" believers, who understand their liberty in Christ, and "weak" believers, whose consciences might still be bound by former traditions or scruples. Throughout the chapter, Paul urges mutual acceptance, non-judgment, and the prioritization of love over personal rights, emphasizing that believers should not cause a fellow believer to stumble or violate their conscience. The preceding verses (Romans 14:20-22) directly advise against destroying God's work for the sake of food and encourage individual conviction before God, making verse 23 a powerful summary statement that applies this teaching to the individual's inner life and actions.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian church was a diverse community, comprising both Jewish converts accustomed to strict dietary laws and Gentile converts who had no such background. This diversity led to practical disagreements over issues like eating meat sacrificed to idols (a common practice in Roman society) or observing specific days as holy. While the Jerusalem Council had addressed some core issues (Acts 15), many daily practices remained points of contention. Paul's letter to the Romans, written from Corinth around A.D. 57, aimed to prepare for his visit to Rome and to foster unity within the Roman church, which was likely composed of various house churches with differing customs. The cultural context of a pluralistic Roman Empire, where food and religious practices were often intertwined with pagan worship, made these "adiaphora" (matters indifferent) highly significant for believers seeking to live distinctly for Christ.

* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several major themes prevalent in Romans and Paul's broader theology. It highlights **the primacy of conscience**, asserting that an individual's internal conviction before God is paramount; to act against it, even in non-essential matters, is to sin. This ties into the theme of **faith as the basis of all righteous action**, a cornerstone of Paul's theology, as seen in his discussion of justification by faith in [Romans 3:28](/romans/3-28 "Romans 3:28 - Justification by Faith"). The verse also contributes to the understanding of **the nature of sin**, broadening it beyond mere transgression of explicit law to include actions performed without genuine conviction or trust in God's approval. This aligns with Paul's emphasis on the internal transformation wrought by the Spirit, leading to a life lived "in Christ" where even seemingly neutral actions are to be sanctified by faith, as further explored in [Romans 8](/romans/8 "Romans 8 - Life in the Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **doubteth (Greek, _diakrínō'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to separate thoroughly," carries the sense of being divided in mind, wavering, or hesitating. In this context, it refers to a state of uncertainty or indecision regarding the moral permissibility or spiritual rightness of an action. It's not merely intellectual uncertainty but a moral struggle or lack of full conviction that an action is pleasing to God.
* **damned (Greek, _katakrínō'_):** From _katá_ (down, against) and _krínō_ (to judge), this term literally means "to judge against" or "to sentence." In Romans 14:23, it does not imply eternal damnation but rather a self-condemnation or being judged guilty by one's own conscience. The individual who acts while doubting is "condemned" in their own mind, experiencing guilt because they have acted contrary to their internal moral compass.
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** This fundamental theological term signifies persuasion, credence, moral conviction, and especially reliance upon Christ for salvation. Here, "faith" refers to a firm conviction, a settled belief, or a clear trust that a particular action is acceptable and pleasing to God. It is the assurance that one is acting in accordance with God's will and truth, free from wavering or doubt.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he that doubteth is damned if he eat":** This clause establishes the immediate consequence for an individual who engages in an action (specifically, eating, within the chapter's context) while harboring internal uncertainty or moral reservations about its propriety. The "damnation" is not an external, eternal judgment but an internal condemnation by one's own conscience, leading to guilt and spiritual distress because the action was not performed with a clear and settled conviction.
* **"because [he eateth] not of faith":** This phrase provides the crucial reason for the condemnation. The problem is not the action itself (eating, which is morally neutral), but the *motive* and *conviction* behind it. To act "not of faith" means the action does not originate from a firm belief, trust, or settled conviction that it is right and pleasing to God. It lacks the necessary foundation of confidence in God's approval.
* **"for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin":** This concluding statement elevates the specific example to a universal principle. Paul declares that any action, regardless of its apparent neutrality or even good intention, becomes sin for the individual if it is not rooted in faith—that is, if it is performed without a clear, settled conviction that it is acceptable to God. This broad definition of sin highlights the importance of internal integrity and the alignment of one's will with God's perceived will.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 14:23 functions as a powerful **Aphorism** or **General Principle**, summarizing Paul's preceding arguments with a concise, memorable statement that transcends the specific issue of food. The verse employs **Definition** by implicitly defining sin not merely as a transgression of law, but as any action lacking the foundation of faith or conviction. There is a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship established: doubting leads to condemnation if one acts, because the action is not "of faith," and the universal principle is that anything not "of faith" is sin. This structure lends the verse significant rhetorical force, serving as a definitive conclusion to Paul's ethical instruction on Christian liberty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 14:23 profoundly impacts Christian ethics by establishing faith as the essential foundation for all morally significant actions. It underscores that true righteousness is not merely external conformity to rules, but an internal alignment of one's will and conscience with God's. This principle elevates the role of individual conviction, guided by the Holy Spirit and Scripture, in discerning God's will in areas not explicitly commanded or forbidden. It teaches that even in matters of Christian liberty, our actions must be performed with a clear conscience, trusting that they are acceptable to God, thereby fostering spiritual integrity and preventing self-condemnation. The verse implicitly calls believers to cultivate a mature faith that informs and sanctifies every aspect of their lives.

* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Without Faith It Is Impossible to Please God")
* [James 4:17](/james/4-17 "James 4:17 - Knowing to Do Good and Not Doing It Is Sin")
* [1 Corinthians 8:7](/1_corinthians/8-7 "1 Corinthians 8:7 - Conscience and Eating Food Sacrificed to Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 14:23 challenges believers to a deeper level of self-awareness and spiritual integrity. It compels us to examine the motives and convictions behind our actions, especially in areas where there isn't a clear "thus says the Lord." It's not enough to simply avoid explicit sin; we must also ensure that our choices, even seemingly neutral ones, are made with a clear conscience and a firm conviction that they honor God. This requires prayerful discernment, a commitment to understanding God's Word, and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading. When we act in doubt, we not only risk self-condemnation but also potentially weaken our spiritual resolve and compromise our relationship with God. Therefore, this verse encourages us to cultivate a robust faith that informs every decision, ensuring that our lives are consistently lived out of trust in and obedience to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you tend to act with doubt or an unsettled conscience?**
* **How can you cultivate a stronger faith and clearer conviction in these areas, aligning your actions more fully with God's will?**
* **What steps can you take to ensure your conscience is well-informed by Scripture and the Holy Spirit, rather than by mere tradition or personal preference?**

### FAQ
**Does "damned" in Romans 14:23 mean eternal condemnation?**

Answer: No, in the context of [Romans 14:23](/romans/14-23 "Romans 14:23 - The Principle of Faith and Conscience"), the Greek word _katakrínō_ (damned) does not refer to eternal condemnation or damnation in the sense of being eternally separated from God. Instead, it signifies being "condemned" or "judged" by one's own conscience. If a believer acts against their inner conviction, they experience guilt, self-reproach, and a sense of having done wrong, even if the action itself (like eating certain food) is not inherently sinful. The condemnation is internal and relational, indicating a breach of integrity between the believer's action and their conscience before God, rather than a judgment of eternal destiny.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 14:23, though addressing practical matters of Christian living, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ. Christ Himself is the perfect embodiment of a life lived entirely "of faith," always doing the will of the Father without doubt or hesitation (John 8:29). He is the standard by which all our actions are measured, and it is through His perfect obedience that our imperfect, faith-driven actions are made acceptable before God. The principle that "whatsoever is not of faith is sin" points to the necessity of our union with Christ, for it is only "in Christ" that we can truly live a life of faith that pleases God. Our ability to act with a clear conscience, free from doubt, is a direct result of the Holy Spirit's work within us, applying the redemption secured by Christ's sacrifice on the cross (Galatians 2:20). Furthermore, Christ's example of self-sacrificial love, as seen in [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience"), provides the ultimate motivation for exercising our liberty in a way that builds up rather than tears down, ensuring our actions are not only "of faith" but also "of love," mirroring the very heart of our Savior.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Titus 1:15

Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

1 Corinthians 11:29

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

1 Corinthians 11:31

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

1 Corinthians 8:7

¶ Howbeit [there is] not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat [it] as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

Romans 14:5

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

Romans 13:2

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.