For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
Parallel translations
- WEB One man has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.
- BSB For one person has faith to eat all things, while another, who is weak, eats only vegetables.
- NKJV For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.
- NASB One person has faith that he may eat all things, but the one who is weak eats only vegetables.
- NLT For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Some believers feel free to eat anything, while the weaker believer eats only vegetables out of conscience. Paul describes the difference without scorning either side.
Overview
The disagreement likely involved meat possibly tied to idols or to Jewish dietary scruples, leading some to abstain entirely. The 'strong' rightly understand their liberty in Christ; the 'weak' restrict themselves out of an uninstructed but sincere conscience. Paul frames this as a difference in maturity of conviction, not in standing before God. Both belong to the Lord who has received them.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- 1 Tim 4:4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
- Prov 15:17Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
- Rom 14:14I 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.
- Gal 2:12For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
- Rom 14:22–23Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
- Gen 9:3Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
- Titus 1:15Unto 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.
- 1 Cor 10:25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
- Heb 13:9Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
- Heb 9:10Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
- Dan 1:12Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
- Gen 1:29And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
- Dan 1:16Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 14:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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