Romans 14:13-23
Do Not Put a Stumbling Block in the Way
Read the passage
13Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
14I 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.
15If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.
16Do not allow what you consider good, then, to be spoken of as evil.
17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
19So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
20Do 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.
21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.
22Keep your belief about such matters between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
23But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Paul says believers should stop passing judgment on one another and instead decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in a brother's way. He is convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
If a brother is grieved by what another eats, the person is no longer walking in love. Do not destroy someone for whom Christ died. Do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Whoever serves Christ this way is acceptable to God and approved by people. Pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding. Do not tear down God's work over food. The one who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he is not acting from faith; whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
The stronger believer's freedom becomes dangerous when it wounds a brother or sister whose conscience is not ready to share it. Paul does not say that food is intrinsically evil; he says love may require setting a freedom down when exercising it would destroy someone Christ died for. The kingdom is measured by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, not by winning a dispute over a menu.
Conscience is not a weapon for controlling every neighbor, but neither is it something to trample. What is not done from faith is sin for the person who cannot receive it with a clear conscience. A household can practice both sides of this wisdom: do not demand that others carry your scruples, and do not parade your liberty where it will turn another person's faith into a casualty.
Questions
1 What decision should believers make?
AnswerThey should decide not to put a stumbling block or hindrance in another believer's way. Freedom is limited by love when its exercise would damage someone else's conscience.
2 When does food become unclean for a person?
AnswerIt becomes unclean for the person who thinks it unclean. Paul is addressing conscience, not declaring that every personal discomfort automatically controls everyone else.
3 What is the kingdom of God about?
AnswerIt is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit rather than food and drink. The larger goods of the kingdom should govern smaller disputes.
4 What is wrong with acting while doubting?
AnswerThe person who doubts and eats is not acting from faith, so the act becomes sin for that person. Conscience must not be violated merely to appear strong or free.
What This Means for Us
Christian freedom is not measured by how many liberties we can display. Paul asks whether our freedom helps or harms a person for whom Christ died.
The stumbling-block principle is not a tool for controlling another person's every preference. It calls the strong to accept a real cost for love while keeping the focus on peace and mutual growth.
Before insisting on a right, ask who is affected and whether the issue is worth the damage. Sometimes the faithful choice is to lay down a freedom without announcing the sacrifice.
Prayer
God of peace, make our freedom serve love. Keep us from controlling one another through scruples, and give us wisdom to limit our choices when doing so protects conscience and builds up Your people. Amen.