Romans 14:15
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Romans 14:15
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.
Chapter Context
Romans 14 is a theological epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of judgment, faith, hope. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 57 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Christians in Rome navigated tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers under imperial watch.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-23: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it contributes to the biblical metanarrative of redemption. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Romans and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Romans 14:15
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.
Analysis
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.
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).
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?
Cross-References
- References Christ: Ephesians 5:2
- Parallel theme: Romans 13:10, 14:20, 15:2, Ezekiel 13:22, 1 Corinthians 8:1, 13:1