King James Version

What Does Romans 14:21 Mean?

Romans 14:21 in the King James Version says “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is m...” — study this verse from Romans chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”

Romans 14:21 · KJV

Context

19

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

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.

21

It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

22

Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

23

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. doubteth: or, discerneth and putteth a difference between meats damned: or, condemned, or liable to punishment

Read Romans 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak—Kalon to mē phagein krea mēde piein oinon mēde en hō ho adelphos sou proskoptei (καλὸν τὸ μὴ φαγεῖν κρέα μηδὲ πιεῖν οἶνον μηδὲ ἐν ᾧ ὁ ἀδελφός σου προσκόπτει). Kalon (καλός, good/noble) elevates voluntary abstinence to virtue—not legalistic requirement but loving self-limitation. Krea (meat), oinon (wine), and en hō proskoptei (anything in which he stumbles) cover all disputable matters.

Proskoptō (προσκόπτω, stumble/take offense) indicates causing spiritual harm. Paul's principle: if your freedom wounds a brother, abstain—even from objectively permissible things. This is radical: limit liberty not merely when sinful but when potentially harmful to others. Love outweighs rights. This isn't capitulation to hypersensitivity but pastoral wisdom: where genuine conscience is at stake (not mere preference), strong believers bear responsibility to limit freedom for weak believers' spiritual welfare (15:1, 'we...strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak').

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Historical & Cultural Context

Wine was daily beverage in antiquity; abstaining would be notable. Yet Paul says it's 'good' to abstain if it causes stumbling. Early Christian communities varied: some abstained entirely (influenced by Nazirite vows or reaction to pagan drunkenness), others partook moderately. Paul allows both, provided they don't destroy others. This shaped Christian temperance movements: total abstinence isn't mandated biblically, but may be wise contextually (where alcoholism is rampant, weaker believers struggle). The principle applies broadly: limit freedom where it harms others' faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. What liberties (food, drink, entertainment, speech) might be 'good' (<em>kalon</em>) for you to limit for weaker believers' sake?
  2. How do you distinguish between genuine conscience issues requiring sensitivity versus mere preferences demanding conformity?
  3. In what areas might you be prioritizing your 'rights' over love for those who might stumble (<em>proskoptei</em>) due to your freedom?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
καλὸν1 of 19

“It is good”

G2570

properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished

τὸ2 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μὴ3 of 19

“neither”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

φαγεῖν4 of 19

“to eat”

G5315

to eat (literally or figuratively)

κρέα5 of 19

“flesh”

G2907

(butcher's) meat

μηδὲ6 of 19

“nor”

G3366

but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor

πιεῖν7 of 19

“to drink”

G4095

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

οἶνον8 of 19

“wine”

G3631

"wine" (literally or figuratively)

μηδὲ9 of 19

“nor”

G3366

but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor

ἐν10 of 19

“any thing whereby”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ᾧ11 of 19
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ὁ12 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀδελφός13 of 19

“brother”

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

σου14 of 19

“thy”

G4675

of thee, thy

προσκόπτει15 of 19

“stumbleth”

G4350

to strike at, i.e., surge against (as water); specially, to stub on, i.e., trip up (literally or figuratively)

ἢ16 of 19

“or”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

σκανδαλίζεται17 of 19

“is offended”

G4624

to entrap, i.e., trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)

ἢ18 of 19

“or”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ἀσθενεῖ19 of 19

“is made weak”

G770

to be feeble (in any sense)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 14:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 14:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 8:13Romans 14:13Romans 15:1-2Luke 17:1-2Matthew 16:23Matthew 18:7-10

Test Your Knowledge

Romans 14 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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