King James Version

What Does Romans 14:4 Mean?

Romans 14:4 in the King James Version says “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: f...” — study this verse from Romans chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.”

Romans 14:4 · KJV

Context

2

For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

3

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.

4

Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

5

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. fully persuaded: or, fully assured

6

He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. regardeth: or, observeth

Read Romans 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant?—Sy tis ei ho krinōn allotrion oiketēn? (σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην;). The rhetorical question rebukes presumption. Allotrion oiketēn (another's household servant) emphasizes you're judging someone else's employee, not your own. Oiketēs (οἰκέτης, household servant) belonged to the master, answerable only to him. Believers are God's oiketai (servants), accountable to Him alone on disputable matters. You have no jurisdiction over another's servant—only their Master does.

To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand—Tō idiō kyriō stēkei ē piptei. stathēsetai de, dynatei gar ho kyrios stēsai auton (τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει. σταθήσεται δὲ, δυνατεῖ γὰρ ὁ κύριος στῆσαι αὐτόν). The servant's standing (stēkei) or falling (piptei) concerns the idios kyrios (his own master), not fellow servants. The future stathēsetai (he will stand) expresses confidence—God will uphold His servant. Dynatei ho kyrios (the Lord is able) grounds assurance in divine power, not human performance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Roman household servants (oiketai) were under the paterfamilias (head of household), not subject to other servants' judgment. Paul applies this to believers—we're God's household, accountable to Him. This democratizes judgment: neither strong nor weak has authority to condemn the other. Only the Master evaluates His servants (1 Corinthians 4:3-5). This counters both authoritarianism (imposing conscience on others) and judgmentalism (condemning those who differ). The Reformation's 'priesthood of all believers' drew on this—individual conscience before God, not ecclesiastical tyranny.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas are you judging 'another man's servant' (<em>allotrion oiketēn</em>)—matters where God alone is judge?
  2. How does confidence that 'God is able to make him stand' (<em>dynatei ho kyrios stēsai</em>) free you from anxiously policing other believers' disputable decisions?
  3. What's the difference between appropriate church discipline for sin and inappropriate judgment over disputable matters—where's the line?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
σὺ1 of 22

“thou”

G4771

thou

τίς2 of 22

“Who”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

εἶ3 of 22

“art”

G1488

thou art

ὁ4 of 22
G3588

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

κρίνων5 of 22

“that judgest”

G2919

by implication, to try, condemn, punish

ἀλλότριον6 of 22

“another man's”

G245

another's, i.e., not one's own; by extension foreign, not akin, hostile

οἰκέτην;7 of 22

“servant”

G3610

a fellow resident, i.e., menial domestic

τῷ8 of 22
G3588

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

ἰδίῳ9 of 22

“to his own”

G2398

pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate

κυρίῳ10 of 22

“master”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

στήκει11 of 22

“he standeth”

G4739

to be stationary, i.e., (figuratively) to persevere

ἢ12 of 22

“or”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

πίπτει·13 of 22

“falleth”

G4098

to fall (literally or figuratively)

στῆσαι14 of 22

“he shall be holden up”

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

δέ,15 of 22

“Yea”

G1161

but, and, etc

δυνατὸς16 of 22

“able”

G1415

powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible

γάρ17 of 22

“for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἐστιν18 of 22

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ὁ19 of 22
G3588

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

Θεὸς20 of 22

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

στῆσαι21 of 22

“he shall be holden up”

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

αὐτόν22 of 22

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

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 14:4 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 14:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 4:11-12Romans 9:20Romans 8:31-39Jude 1:241 Corinthians 4:4-5Psalms 37:24

Test Your Knowledge

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

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