Romans 14:15
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Original Language Analysis
διὰ
with
G1223
διὰ
with
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
3 of 22
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
βρώματί
meat
G1033
βρώματί
meat
Strong's:
G1033
Word #:
4 of 22
food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden by the jewish law
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφός
brother
G80
ἀδελφός
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
6 of 22
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
λυπεῖται
be grieved
G3076
λυπεῖται
be grieved
Strong's:
G3076
Word #:
8 of 22
to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad
κατὰ
G2596
κατὰ
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
10 of 22
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἀγάπην
charitably
G26
ἀγάπην
charitably
Strong's:
G26
Word #:
11 of 22
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
περιπατεῖς·
walkest thou
G4043
περιπατεῖς·
walkest thou
Strong's:
G4043
Word #:
12 of 22
to tread all around, i.e., walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
13 of 22
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βρώματί
meat
G1033
βρώματί
meat
Strong's:
G1033
Word #:
15 of 22
food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden by the jewish law
ἐκεῖνον
him
G1565
ἐκεῖνον
him
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
17 of 22
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
ἀπόλλυε
Destroy
G622
ἀπόλλυε
Destroy
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
18 of 22
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
19 of 22
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
οὗ
whom
G3739
οὗ
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
20 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Galatians 5:13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.Ephesians 5:2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.Romans 14:20For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.Romans 15:2Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.1 John 2:2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.Romans 13:10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.1 Corinthians 8:1Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.1 Corinthians 13:1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.Ezekiel 13:22Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:
Historical Context
Paul's rhetorical question echoes 1 Corinthians 8:11-13—causing a brother to stumble is serious sin, potentially damning him. This isn't hypothetical: some weak believers, emboldened by strong believers' example, violated conscience by eating idol-meat, then fell back into idolatry or despaired over sin. Paul's pastoral heart refuses to sacrifice the weak on the altar of the strong's rights. This shaped Christian ethics: liberty limited by love, rights subordinated to others' spiritual welfare. The strong bear responsibility for the weak (15:1).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the phrase 'for whom Christ died' (<em>hyper hou Christos apethanen</em>) reframe your attitude toward limiting freedom for weaker believers?
- What legitimate liberties might you willingly restrict to avoid 'destroying' (<em>apollymi</em>) someone Christ died to save?
- How do you balance standing firm on truth with pastoral sensitivity to those whose consciences are weaker?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably—Ei gar dia brōma ho adelphos sou lypeītai, ouketi kata agapēn peripateis (εἰ γὰρ διὰ βρῶμα ὁ ἀδελφός σου λυπεῖται, οὐκέτι κατὰ ἀγάπην περιπατεῖς). Lypeītai (λυπέω, is grieved/wounded) is stronger than annoyance—spiritual harm, conscience violation. Kata agapēn peripateis (κατὰ ἀγάπην περιπατέω, walk according to love) summarizes Christian ethics: love is the guiding principle. If your eating wounds a brother, you've abandoned love's way, even though your action is objectively permissible.
Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died—Mē tō brōmati sou ekeinon apollye hyper hou Christos apethanen (μὴ τῷ βρώματί σου ἐκεῖνον ἀπόλλυε ὑπὲρ οὗ Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν). Apollymi (ἀπόλλυμι, destroy/ruin) is severe—not temporary distress but spiritual destruction, potentially apostasy (1 Corinthians 8:11, 'the weak brother perishes, for whom Christ died'). The clause hyper hou Christos apethanen (for whom Christ died) is devastating: Christ's death purchased this weak brother—will you destroy what Christ died to save over food? If Christ valued him enough to die, surely you can limit your diet.