Bible Strands
Romans 14:20
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Roman church regarding disputes over dietary practices and religious observances. He issues this instruction immediately after urging believers to pursue peace and mutual edification.
The words — The Greek κατάλυε (katalue) means "do destroy," and ἕνεκεν (heneken) translates to "for the sake of." The text states that believers must not destroy God’s work for the sake of food.
The thread — The warning against causing others to stumble runs through Matthew 18:6 and Titus 1:15, while the declaration that nothing is inherently unclean appears in Romans 14:14. The same concern for causing a brother to stumble continues directly into Romans 14:21.
Why it lands — The text states that all food is clean but declares it wrong to let eating become a stumbling block. It asks readers to subordinate personal dietary rights to the spiritual welfare of others.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Cross-references
- Romans 14:14 I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
- Matthew 18:6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
- Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
- Acts 10:15 The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
- Romans 14:21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.
- 1 Corinthians 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.
- Matthew 15:11 A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”
- 1 Timothy 4:3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
- Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.