Do Not Cause Another to Stumble

Romans 14

13 a Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide b never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus c that nothing is unclean in itself, d but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, e you are no longer walking in love. f By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 g So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 h For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but i of righteousness and j peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is k acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us l pursue what makes for peace and for m mutual upbuilding.

20 n Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. o Everything is indeed clean, but p it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 q It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 1 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. r Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. 2

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 7:1
    Judge not, that you be not judged.
  2. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 8:13
    Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
  3. Cross References
    Romans 14:2
    One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.
    Romans 14:20
    Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.
    Acts 10:15
    And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has made clean, do not call common.
  4. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 8:7
    However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
    1 Corinthians 8:10
    For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?
  5. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:2
    And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
  6. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 8:11
    And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.
    Romans 14:20
    Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.
  7. Cross References
    Romans 12:17
    Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
    1 Corinthians 10:29 - 30
    I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience?
  8. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 8:8
    Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.
  9. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 6:9
    Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality.
  10. Cross References
    Galatians 5:22
    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
    Romans 15:13
    May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
  11. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:21
    For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.
  12. Cross References
    Psalms 34:14
    Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
    1 Corinthians 7:15
    But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.
    2 Timothy 2:22
    So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
  13. Cross References
    Romans 15:2
    Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
    1 Corinthians 14:12
    So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
  14. Cross References
    Romans 14:15
    For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.
  15. Cross References
    Titus 1:15
    To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
    Romans 14:14
    I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
  16. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 8:9 - 12
    But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
  17. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 8:13
    Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
  18. Cross References
    1 John 3:21
    Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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