Romans 14:13

13 Therefore no more deem we each other; but more deem ye this thing, that ye put not hurting, or cause of stumbling [or offence], to a brother.

Romans 14:13 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 14:13

Let us not therefore judge one another more
With respect to the observance or non-observance of the laws relating to meats and drinks, and days, and times; the apostle means, that they should not judge rashly, nor anything before the time; they should not censure and judge each other's characters and states, on account of these things, but leave all to the decisive day, to Christ the Judge, and to his bar, before which all must stand:

but judge this rather;
or reckon this to be the most proper, fit, and advisable:

that no man put a stumblingblock or occasion to fall in his
brother's way;
as in the former part of the advice the apostle seems to have respect more especially to the weak brethren, who were ready to judge and condemn such as neglected the observance of the laws about meats and days, as transgressors, and as wicked persons, that ought not to be in the communion of the church; so in this he seems more principally to have regard to the stronger brethren; who, through their imprudent use of their Christian liberty, offended weaker minds, and were the occasion of their stumbling and falling, which it became them to be careful to prevent; and rather than be a means of anything of this nature, it was much better, as he afterwards observes, neither to eat flesh, nor drink wine, and entirely drop or forego the use of their liberty.

Romans 14:13 In-Context

11 For it is written, I live, saith the Lord, for to me each knee shall be bowed, and each tongue shall acknowledge to God.
12 Therefore each of us [And so each of us] shall yield reason to God for himself.
13 Therefore no more deem we each other; but more deem ye this thing, that ye put not hurting, or cause of stumbling [or offence], to a brother.
14 I know and trust in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean by him, no but to him that deemeth any thing to be unclean [but to him that deemeth any thing to be unclean], to him it is unclean.
15 And if thy brother be made sorry in conscience for meat [Soothly if thy brother be made sorry, or heavy in conscience, for meat], now thou walkest not after charity. Do not thou through thy meat destroy him [Do not through thy meat lose him], for whom Christ died.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.