Romans 14:3

The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Roman congregation amid a dispute over dietary convictions, contrasting those with faith to eat all foods against the "weak" who eat only vegetables. He intervenes mid-conflict to establish a non-negotiable boundary for mutual conduct.

The words — The imperative ἐξουθενείτω (exoutheneitō) literally commands "he must not despise," directly modifying the participle ἐσθιῶν (esthiōn) for "the one eating." These terms anchor the prohibition of contempt to the specific act of consuming food.

The thread — The text's restriction on judging dietary practice appears again in Romans 14:10 and Colossians 2:16, while Luke 18:9 identifies the underlying attitude of self-exalting contempt. The motif links personal conscience to communal accountability across Pauline and synoptic writings.

Why it lands — The passage requires believers to stop despising or judging others over food choices, citing God's prior acceptance of the other person as the factual basis. Readers must treat dietary liberty as a settled matter of divine approval rather than a metric for interpersonal superiority.

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

Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Cross-references

Romans 14:10 Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
Colossians 2:16 Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath.
Luke 18:9 To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable:
Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
1 Corinthians 10:29 the other one’s conscience, I mean, not your own. For why should my freedom be determined by someone else’s conscience?
Acts 10:34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,
Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you will be judged.
Matthew 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’
Matthew 18:10 See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.
Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message.