The Law of Love

14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus (A)that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. (B)Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 (C)Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 (D)for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and (E)peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in [a]these things (F)is acceptable to God and approved by men.

19 (G)Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which (H)one may [b]edify another. 20 (I)Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. (J)All things indeed are pure, (K)but it is evil for the man who eats with [c]offense. 21 It is good neither to eat (L)meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles [d]or is offended or is made weak. 22 [e]Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. (M)Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for (N)whatever is not from faith is [f]sin.

Bearing Others’ Burdens

15 We (O)then who are strong ought to bear with the [g]scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (P)Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to [h]edification. (Q)For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, (R)“The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For (S)whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the [i]patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (T)Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may (U)with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 14:18 NU this thing
  2. Romans 14:19 build up
  3. Romans 14:20 A feeling of giving offense
  4. Romans 14:21 NU omits the rest of v. 21.
  5. Romans 14:22 NU The faith which you have—have
  6. Romans 14:23 M puts Rom. 16:25–27 here.
  7. Romans 15:1 weaknesses
  8. Romans 15:2 building up
  9. Romans 15:4 perseverance

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