Romans 14:20
For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Original Language Analysis
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
βρώματος
meat
G1033
βρώματος
meat
Strong's:
G1033
Word #:
3 of 19
food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden by the jewish law
κατάλυε
destroy
G2647
κατάλυε
destroy
Strong's:
G2647
Word #:
4 of 19
to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e., (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively); specially (compare g2646) to halt for the night
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔργον
the work
G2041
ἔργον
the work
Strong's:
G2041
Word #:
6 of 19
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
8 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
μὲν
indeed
G3303
μὲν
indeed
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
10 of 19
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
κακὸν
it is evil
G2556
κακὸν
it is evil
Strong's:
G2556
Word #:
13 of 19
worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διὰ
with
G1223
διὰ
with
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
17 of 19
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
Cross References
Matthew 18:6But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.Acts 10:15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.Titus 1:15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.Romans 14:21It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.Matthew 15:11Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.Ephesians 2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Historical Context
Paul's 'all things pure' echoes Jesus' declaration (Mark 7:19, 'This he said, making all meats clean') and Peter's vision (Acts 10:15, 'What God has cleansed, call not common'). The New Covenant abolishes OT food laws (Colossians 2:16-17, Hebrews 9:10). Yet Paul doesn't wield this truth as weapon—love constrains liberty. This pastoral balance shaped Christian ethics: affirm truth robustly while applying it sensitively. The Reformers rediscovered this: freedom in Christ from human traditions (Galatians 5:1) yet voluntarily limiting freedom for weaker believers' sake.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the phrase 'destroy the work of God' (<em>katalye to ergon tou theou</em>) reframe your attachment to personal freedoms?
- What's the difference between affirming 'all things are pure' (<em>panta kathara</em>) theologically while recognizing it's 'evil' to eat in certain contexts?
- How do you balance holding firm on truth (nothing unclean) with pastoral wisdom (don't cause others to stumble)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For meat destroy not the work of God—Mē heneken brōmatos katalye to ergon tou theou (μὴ ἕνεκεν βρώματος κατάλυε τὸ ἔργον τοῦ θεοῦ). Katalyō (καταλύω, destroy/tear down) is violent—demolish, dismantle. To ergon tou theou (the work of God) is the believer God has regenerated, the church God is building. Paul's rhetorical question shocks: will you demolish what God is constructing over brōmatos (food)? The disproportion is staggering—food is temporal, God's work eternal. Heneken (for the sake of) reveals twisted priorities: sacrificing eternal treasure for temporal appetite.
All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence—Panta men kathara, alla kakon tō anthrōpō tō dia proskommatos esthionti (πάντα μὲν καθαρά, ἀλλὰ κακὸν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τῷ διὰ προσκόμματος ἐσθίοντι). Panta kathara (all things clean) echoes v. 14—Paul affirms the strong's theology. Yet kakon (evil/wrong) for the person eating dia proskommatos (with stumbling block/offense)—either causing others to stumble or stumbling yourself by violating conscience. Objective purity doesn't equal subjective permission—context, conscience, and love govern application.