Romans 14:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The free eater must not look down on the cautious, and the cautious must not condemn the free, for God has welcomed both.
What Does Romans 14:3 Mean?
Paul now names the twin temptations. The one who eats freely is tempted to 'despise' the scrupulous as small-minded; the one who abstains is tempted to 'judge' the other as careless. Each leans toward the same sin from opposite sides.
The decisive reason silences both: 'God hath received him.' If the Lord of all has taken a person into His family, no fellow believer stands in a position to push him out. To despise or condemn one whom God has welcomed is to set oneself above God's own verdict. The cure for contempt and for judgment is the same -- remembering who has already accepted the brother.
Romans 14:3 in the Original Language
exoutheneo (ἐξουθενέω), 'despise' -- to count as nothing, to treat with contempt.
Frequently Asked Questions About Romans 14:3
What does Romans 14:3 mean?
The free eater must not look down on the cautious, and the cautious must not condemn the free, for God has welcomed both.