Christian Liberty, Conscience, and Mutual Acceptance
Romans 14:1-15:13
Rom.14.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ασθενουντα: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,sg,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- πιστει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- προσλαμβανεσθε: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,pl
- μη: PART
- εις: PREP
- διακρισεις: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- διαλογισμων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Rom.15:1-3 (thematic): Same epistle and pastoral concern: the strong should bear with the failings of the weak and seek their good rather than quarrel — continuation of accepting weaker believers.
- 1 Cor.8:9-13 (thematic): Paul warns that exercising liberty about food may harm a 'weaker' brother's conscience and urges restraint to avoid causing others to stumble, paralleling the instruction to accept the weak and avoid disputes that harm them.
- 1 Cor.10:24-33 (thematic): Principle of not seeking one's own advantage but the neighbor's good, and foregoing lawful liberties to avoid causing offense — same pastoral ethic underlying acceptance of the weak in faith.
- Gal.6:1 (thematic): Instruction to restore a brother gently when he is caught in transgression emphasizes pastoral care and restraint rather than judgmental disputes, resonating with accepting the weak.
- Col.2:16 (verbal): Paul's warning not to let others judge you concerning food, drink, or festivals addresses disputes over disputable matters and echoes the prohibition against quarrels about opinions in Rom 14:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- Welcome the one who is weak in faith, but not for quarrels about opinions.
- Accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for disputes over opinions.
Rom.14.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- μεν: PART
- πιστευει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- φαγειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ασθενων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- λαχανα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- εσθιει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Romans 14:1-3 (structural): Immediate context: Paul contrasts the 'strong' who eat everything with the 'weak' who eat only vegetables and instructs acceptance rather than judgment.
- 1 Corinthians 8:8-13 (thematic): Discusses freedom about food vs. responsibility to a weaker conscience—knowledge permits eating but love forbids causing another to stumble, echoing the weak/strong dynamic.
- 1 Corinthians 10:25-33 (verbal): Paul says 'eat whatever is sold in the market' but qualifies freedom by concern for others' consciences and avoiding offense, parallel to 'one believes he may eat all things.'
- Colossians 2:16 (verbal): Warns against letting others judge you regarding food or drink, addressing the same issue of dietary practices and judgment found in Romans 14.
- Acts 15:19-20 (thematic): The Jerusalem Council imposes limited abstentions on Gentiles (e.g., food sacrificed to idols, blood), illustrating the early church's negotiated boundaries on dietary freedom for communal harmony.
Alternative generated candidates
- One believes he may eat anything; another, who is weak, eats only vegetables.
- One has faith to eat all things; another, who is weak, eats only vegetables.
Rom.14.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εσθιων: PTCP,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- μη: PART
- εσθιοντα: PTCP,pres,act,acc,sg,m
- μη: PART
- εξουθενειτω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- μη: PART
- εσθιων: PTCP,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- εσθιοντα: PTCP,pres,act,acc,sg,m
- μη: PART
- κρινετω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- προσελαβετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Romans 14:1 (structural): Immediate context: commands reception of the 'weak in faith,' which frames v.3's injunction not to despise those who abstain.
- Romans 14:4 (verbal): Closely linked argument against judging others—'Who are you to pass judgment?'—and appeal to God's authority and welcome.
- Romans 15:7 (verbal): Echoes the theme of welcoming/acceptance: 'Welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed you,' paralleling 'God has welcomed him.'
- Matthew 7:1-5 (thematic): Broader ethical principle against judging others ('Do not judge'), matching Paul's prohibition of despising or condemning fellow believers.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 (thematic): Discussion of liberty and sensitivity to weaker believers—Paul warns not to cause a weaker brother to stumble, aligning with the call to avoid despising or judging over disputed practices.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains judge the one who eats; for God has welcomed him.
- Let not the one who eats despise the one who does not eat, and let not the one who does not eat judge the one who eats; for God has welcomed him.
Rom.14.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κρινων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- αλλοτριον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- οικετην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ιδιω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- στηκει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πιπτει·σταθησεται: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg;VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- δυνατει: VERB,pres,mp,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- στησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 7:1-2 (thematic): Jesus' warning against judging others (’Judge not...’) parallels Paul's admonition not to judge another's servant and highlights the reversal/measure theme about judgment.
- Luke 6:37 (thematic): Luke's parallel of Jesus' 'Do not judge, and you will not be judged' reinforces the same ethic of refraining from condemning others as in Rom 14:4.
- James 4:11-12 (verbal): James asks 'Who are you to judge your neighbor?' and stresses that there is one Lawgiver and Judge, echoing Paul's challenge to human judgment and the proper locus of final judgment.
- 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 (structural): Paul refuses human judgment of apostles ('I do not even judge my own self') and warns against premature judgment, pointing to the Lord's future revelation—closely related to Rom 14:4’s claim that the Lord can and will vindicate.
- Romans 14:10 (structural): Internal parallel within Romans: 'We shall all stand before the judgment seat of God' connects directly to 'to his own master he stands or falls' and the eschatological accountability Paul invokes.
Alternative generated candidates
- Who are you to pass judgment on another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
- Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. But he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Rom.14.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- μεν: PART
- κρινει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- ημεραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- παρ᾽ημεραν: PREP
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- κρινει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- πασαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- ημεραν·εκαστος: NOUN,acc,sg,f+ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ιδιω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- νοι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- πληροφορεισθω·: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,3,sg
Parallels
- Rom.14:2-3 (structural): Immediate context: contrasts Christians who eat all things with those who eat only vegetables and forbids judging—same issue of disputable practices and mutual forbearance.
- Rom.14:6 (verbal): Closely related statement in the same chapter about observing days or eating 'to the Lord'—expresses the same principle that personal conviction before God governs such practices.
- Rom.14:22-23 (verbal): Paul reiterates the rule of conscience—'the faith that you have, keep as your own conviction' and warns that whatever is not from faith is sin, echoing 'be fully convinced in your own mind.'
- Colossians 2:16 (thematic): Paul warns against allowing others to judge you about food, drink or festival days—same concern about judgment and the freedom to observe days according to conscience.
- 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 (thematic): Discussion of weaker believers' consciences regarding food sacrificed to idols; Paul urges sensitivity and acting according to the conscience of others, reflecting the principle that convictions about disputable matters vary and must be respected.
Alternative generated candidates
- One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.
- One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.
Rom.14.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- φρονων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ημεραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- φρονει: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εσθιων: PTCP,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- εσθιει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ευχαριστει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω·και: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μη: PART
- εσθιων: PTCP,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εσθιει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ευχαριστει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 (verbal): “Whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God” closely parallels “he who eats… eats to the Lord,” linking ordinary actions (eating/drinking) to service to God.
- Colossians 3:17 (thematic): “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God” echoes the theme that acts (including eating or observing days) are done for the Lord and accompanied by thanksgiving.
- 1 Corinthians 8:8-13 (thematic): Discussion about food, conscience, and not causing a brother to stumble corresponds to Romans 14’s treatment of disputed matters (eating/abstaining) and the priority of love and conscience over asserting rights.
- 1 Timothy 4:4-5 (verbal): “Every creature of God is good…and is received with thanksgiving” parallels the idea that eating (or not eating) is to the Lord and involves giving thanks to God, sanctifying the act by thanksgiving.
Alternative generated candidates
- He who observes the day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, giving thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord, and gives thanks to God.
- He who observes the day does so for the Lord; and he who eats does so for the Lord, giving thanks to God. And he who abstains does so for the Lord and gives thanks to God.
Rom.14.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ουδεις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- εαυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ζη: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ουδεις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εαυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- αποθνησκει·: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Rom.14:8 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same thought—if we live or die it is to the Lord; directly parallels the claim that no one lives or dies for oneself.
- 2 Cor.5:14-15 (thematic): Paul explains that Christ's death compels believers not to live for themselves but for Christ, echoing the ethical impulse of Rom 14:7.
- Phil.1:21 (thematic): 'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain' expresses the same reorientation of life and death away from self-centered existence.
- Gal.2:20 (thematic): 'I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live' similarly portrays the believer's life as no longer belonging to the self but to Christ.
- John 12:25 (thematic): Jesus' paradox—whoever loves his life loses it—reflects the idea that life and death are not ultimately owned by the self but are ordered to God's purposes.
Alternative generated candidates
- For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself.
- For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself.
Rom.14.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εαν: CONJ
- τε: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- ζωμεν: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,pl
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ζωμεν: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,pl
- εαν: CONJ
- τε: CONJ
- αποθνησκωμεν: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,pl
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- αποθνησκομεν: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,pl
- εαν: CONJ
- τε: CONJ
- ουν: CONJ
- ζωμεν: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,pl
- εαν: CONJ
- τε: CONJ
- αποθνησκωμεν: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,pl
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εσμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- Rom.14:7 (structural): Immediate context: contrasts 'none of us lives/dies to himself' with belonging to the Lord—same structural pairing of living and dying.
- Phil.1:21 (thematic): 'To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain'—frames life and death in terms of relation to Christ, echoing belonging to the Lord in both states.
- 2 Cor.5:15 (thematic): 'He died for all... that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him'—teaches that believers live (and implicitly die) for Christ.
- Gal.2:20 (thematic): 'I live... yet not I, but Christ lives in me'—personal identification with Christ in life (and by implication in death), emphasizing belonging to Christ.
- Rom.6:11 (thematic): 'Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus'—uses dying/being alive language to express belonging to God, paralleling 'to the Lord we live and die.'
Alternative generated candidates
- For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
- For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then whether we live or whether we die, we belong to the Lord.
Rom.14.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εις: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- γαρ: PART
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- απεθανεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- εζησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ζωντων: PTCP,pres,act,gen,pl,m
- κυριευση: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,sg
Parallels
- Romans 14:8 (verbal): Same paragraphal argument: whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord — echoes Rom 14:9's claim that Christ died and lives to be Lord of both the dead and the living.
- Acts 10:42 (verbal): Peter says Jesus was appointed 'to be judge of the living and the dead,' closely echoing the language and function of Christ as Lord over both the living and the dead in Rom 14:9.
- Romans 6:9 (thematic): Paul's affirmation that Christ, raised from the dead, 'dies no more' and that death has no dominion parallels Rom 14:9's link of Christ's death and resurrection to his lordship over life and death.
- Philippians 2:9-11 (thematic): The universal lordship of Jesus — every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord — corresponds to Rom 14:9's portrayal of Christ as Lord over all, including dead and living.
- 1 Corinthians 15:25-27 (thematic): Paul's depiction of Christ's subjection of all enemies, culminating in the destruction of death, complements Rom 14:9's emphasis on Christ's authority over the living and the dead following his death and resurrection.
Alternative generated candidates
- For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
- For to this end Christ died and was raised, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Rom.14.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Συ: PRON,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- κρινεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αδελφον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- εξουθενεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αδελφον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- γαρ: PART
- παραστησομεθα: VERB,fut,mid,ind,1,pl
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- βηματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 7:1-2 (verbal): Jesus' prohibition against judging ('Do not judge, that you may not be judged') parallels Paul's rebuke of judging/ despising a brother and the warning that judgment comes back on the judge.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 (verbal): Paul states that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ—directly echoes Rom 14:10's assertion that all will stand before God's judgment seat.
- Romans 14:4 (structural): Immediate chiasm within the chapter: both verses challenge the believer's right to judge another ('Who are you to judge another's servant?') and insist ultimate accountability belongs to the Lord.
- Romans 14:12 (verbal): Closely related immediate context: 'each of us will give account of himself to God' elaborates the consequence of standing before God's judgment seat mentioned in 14:10.
- James 4:11-12 (thematic): James warns against speaking against or judging a brother and reminds that there is one Lawgiver and Judge—the theme of refraining from brotherly judgment and deferring final judgment to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Why then do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.
- Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.
Rom.14.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- γεγραπται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- γαρ·Ζω: CONJ+VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- καμψει: VERB,fut,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- παν: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- γονυ: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- πασα: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- γλωσσα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εξομολογησεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 45:23 (LXX/MT) (quotation): Romans 14:11 is a direct citation of Isaiah 45:23 (LXX/MT): the Isaianic formula 'I live, says the Lord... every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear' is the source Paul quotes.
- Philippians 2:10-11 (verbal): Paul uses the same language elsewhere—'that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord'—applying the Isaianic universal confession to Christ.
- Revelation 5:13 (thematic): Shared eschatological motif of universal praise: 'every creature... to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb' reflects the same idea of all beings confessing/bowing to divine sovereignty.
- Psalm 72:11 (thematic): An Old Testament royal/eschatological parallel: 'May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him' echoes the theme of all peoples/subordinate powers paying homage to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God."
- For it is written, 'As I live, says the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess to God.'
Rom.14.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αρα: PART
- εκαστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- περι: PREP
- εαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- δωσει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Rom.14.10 (structural): Immediate context: Paul’s argument that we will all stand before God’s judgment seat (same discourse, same exhortation against judging others).
- 2 Cor.5.10 (verbal): Same idea of personal accounting before Christ’s judgment seat—'we must all appear… that each one may receive' parallels 'each of us will give account.'
- Heb.4.13 (verbal): Language and theme of being exposed before God 'to whom we must give account,' emphasizing individual accountability before God’s sight.
- Matt.12.36-37 (thematic): Jesus teaches that people will give account for their words on the day of judgment—connects the general principle of personal responsibility and future reckoning.
- Gal.6.5 (thematic): States individual responsibility ('for each will have to bear his own load'), echoing the personal nature of giving account expressed in Rom. 14:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- So then each of us will give account of himself to God.
- So then each of us will give account of himself to God.
Rom.14.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Μηκετι: ADV,neg
- ουν: CONJ
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- κρινωμεν·αλλα: VERB,pres,act,sub,1,pl
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- κρινατε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- μαλλον: ADV
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μη: PART
- τιθεναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- προσκομμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αδελφω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- σκανδαλον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Matt.7:1-5 (verbal): Jesus' injunction 'Judge not, that you be not judged' parallels Paul's command to stop judging fellow believers and underscores hypocrisy in making judgments.
- Mark 9:42 (verbal): Explicit warning about causing 'one of these little ones' to stumble; uses the same imagery of causing another to fall or be offended.
- 1 Cor.8:9,13 (thematic): Paul's discussion of Christian liberty becoming a 'stumbling block' to the weak directly echoes Rom.14:13's concern to avoid causing a brother to stumble (and 8:13's willingness to forego rights for a brother's sake).
- Rom.14:10-12 (structural): Immediate context in Romans: Paul appeals to the coming judgment ('we will all stand before God's judgment seat') as grounds for not judging others and for self-accountability.
- 1 Pet.2:7-8 (allusion): Peter's language of Christ as a 'stone of stumbling' and some stumbling because of unbelief echoes the metaphor of causing others to stumble and its spiritual consequences.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore let us no longer judge one another, but rather resolve not to put a stumbling block or an occasion for falling in the way of a brother.
- Therefore let us no longer judge one another, but rather make up our minds not to put a stumbling-block or a cause for falling in a brother's way.
Rom.14.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οιδα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- πεπεισμαι: VERB,perf,mid/pass,ind,1,sg
- εν: PREP
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ουδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- κοινον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- δι᾽εαυτου·ει: PREP
- μη: PART
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- λογιζομενω: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,dat,sg,m
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- κοινον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εκεινω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- κοινον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
Parallels
- Mark 7:18-19 (verbal): Jesus teaches that defilement comes from within, and the Gospel author's comment (ὅτι πάντα καθαρίζεται τὰ βρώματα) effectively declares foods clean—close verbal/theological parallel to Paul's 'nothing is unclean of itself.'
- Acts 10:15 (quotation): The heavenly voice to Peter, 'What God has cleansed, do not call common,' directly challenges Jewish purity categories and parallels Paul's assertion about nothing being inherently unclean.
- Titus 1:15 (verbal): Paulic formulation: 'To the pure all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure,' closely echoing the idea that purity/defilement depends on the person, not the thing.
- 1 Corinthians 8:8 (thematic): Paul argues that 'food does not bring us near to God' and that eating is morally neutral apart from conscience—the same practical/theological concern about food and conscience found in Romans 14:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to the one who regards something as unclean, to him it is unclean.
- I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to the one who regards anything as unclean, to him it is unclean.
Rom.14.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- γαρ: PART
- δια: PREP
- βρωμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αδελφος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- λυπειται: VERB,pres,mp,ind,3,sg
- ουκετι: ADV
- κατα: PREP
- αγαπην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- περιπατεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- βρωματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- εκεινον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- απολλυε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- υπερ: PREP
- ου: PART,neg
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- απεθανεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 8:11-13 (verbal): Paul argues that if exercising Christian liberty in food causes a weaker brother to stumble or perish, one should give up that practice — closely mirrors Rom 14:15's concern not to destroy a brother by what you eat.
- 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (thematic): Affirms Christian freedom limited by love and concern for others (’all things are lawful…but not all things are helpful’ and not causing another to stumble), echoing Rom 14:15's ethic of forebearing for a brother's sake.
- Matthew 18:6 (thematic): Jesus warns against causing 'little ones' to sin or stumble; parallels Rom 14:15's prohibition against harming a fellow believer through one's actions (here, eating).
- Romans 14:13 (structural): Immediate context: Paul exhorts believers to stop passing judgment and instead remove obstacles to a brother's flourishing—the same pastoral concern that motivates Rom 14:15.
- Romans 14:21 (verbal): Paul advises that it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes a brother to stumble—an explicit restatement of the principle in Rom 14:15.
Alternative generated candidates
- If your brother is grieved by your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let your food be the cause of the ruin of one for whom Christ died.
- If your brother is grieved because of food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what is good for you be spoken of as evil.
Rom.14.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μη: PART
- βλασφημεισθω: VERB,pres,pass,imp,3,sg
- ουν: CONJ
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αγαθον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Peter 2:12 (verbal): Urges believers to maintain honorable conduct so that when others malign them as evildoers their good deeds may be seen—closely parallels Romans' concern that 'your good' not be spoken of as evil.
- 1 Peter 3:16 (verbal): Speaks of keeping a good conscience so that when slandered for Christ's sake those who revile your good behavior may be put to shame—echoes the theme of undeserved evil speech about righteous conduct.
- 1 Corinthians 10:32 (thematic): Commands believers to 'give no offense' to Jews, Greeks, or the church—similar practical ethic of avoiding actions or reputations that cause others to speak ill of Christian conduct.
- 1 Corinthians 8:13 (thematic): Paul's refusal to exercise liberty if it causes a brother to stumble (e.g., over food) reflects the same concern to prevent one’s behavior from being judged or causing harm—parallel prudential ethic to avoid negative testimony.
- Luke 6:22 (verbal): Jesus pronounces blessing on those who are reviled and called evil for his sake—directly relates to the phenomenon of being spoken against for doing what is good.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let not then your good be spoken of as evil;
- Do not let your good be spoken of as evil.
Rom.14.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ου: PART,neg
- γαρ: PART
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- βασιλεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- βρωσις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ποσις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αλλα: CONJ
- δικαιοσυνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ειρηνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- χαρα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- αγιω·: ADJ,dat,sg,n
Parallels
- Matthew 6:33 (thematic): Emphasizes that the kingdom's core involves righteousness (seek first the kingdom and his righteousness), aligning with Romans' stress that the kingdom is about righteousness rather than external concerns.
- Galatians 5:22-23 (verbal): Lists the Spirit's fruit—love, joy, peace—directly corresponding to Romans' pairing of peace and joy with the Holy Spirit as marks of the kingdom.
- Isaiah 32:17 (allusion): Old Testament background linking righteousness with peace («the effect of righteousness will be peace»), which undergirds Paul's association of righteousness and peace as kingdom realities.
- 1 Corinthians 4:20 (thematic): Negates a merely external or verbal kingdom (the kingdom of God is not in word but in power), paralleling Romans' rejection of food and drink as the kingdom's essence in favor of inward spiritual realities.
- Luke 17:20-21 (thematic): Portrays the kingdom as not a visible, external phenomenon but present among/within people, echoing Romans' contrast between external (food/drink) and internal (righteousness, peace, joy in the Spirit) signs of the kingdom.
Alternative generated candidates
- for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
- For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Rom.14.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- εν: PREP
- τουτω: DEM,dat,sg,m
- δουλευων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ευαρεστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- δοκιμος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- ανθρωποις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Galatians 1:10 (thematic): Contrasts seeking to please men with serving/pleasing God; underscores the priority of pleasing God over human approval, similar to serving Christ being acceptable to God.
- 2 Corinthians 5:9 (verbal): Paul states the aim to please God whether present or absent, echoing the idea that Christian service seeks God's approval.
- Colossians 1:10 (verbal): Prayer/imperative that believers walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him—language of pleasing God parallels Rom 14:18's 'acceptable to God.'
- John 12:26 (thematic): Jesus teaches that serving him leads to being honored by the Father, paralleling the promise of divine approval for those who serve Christ.
- Matthew 25:21 (thematic): Parable's commendation 'Well done, good and faithful servant' models the master’s approval of faithful service, echoing the theme of being approved by God.
Alternative generated candidates
- For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
- For he who serves Christ in these things is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Rom.14.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αρα: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ειρηνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- διωκωμεν: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,pl
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- οικοδομης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Hebrews 12:14 (verbal): Both use the language of pursuit (διώκετε/διώκεσθε) and call believers to pursue peace; Hebrews links pursuing peace with holiness, echoing the imperative orientation of Rom 14:19.
- Romans 12:18 (thematic): Similar exhortation to live at peace with others (‘if possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably’), sharing the ethic of maintaining harmony within the community.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (verbal): Explicitly urges believers to 'encourage and build up one another' (οἰκοδομεῖτε), using the same 'building up' (οἰκοδομή) concept found in Rom 14:19 (οἰκοδομῇ εἰς ἀλλήλους).
- Ephesians 4:29 (verbal): Commands speech that 'gives grace to those who hear, that it may benefit those who listen' for the purpose of edification (πρὸς οἰκοδομήν), echoing Rom 14:19’s concern for mutual upbuilding.
- Matthew 5:9 (thematic): ’Blessed are the peacemakers’ thematically parallels the call to pursue what makes for peace; both emphasize active reconciliation and the value of peace in the community.
Alternative generated candidates
- So then let us pursue the things which make for peace, and the things by which one may build up another.
- So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Rom.14.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μη: PART
- ενεκεν: PREP,gen
- βρωματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- καταλυε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εργον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- μεν: PART
- καθαρα: ADJ,nom,pl,neut
- αλλα: CONJ
- κακον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ανθρωπω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- προσκομματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- εσθιοντι: VERB,pres,act,part,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 8:8-13 (verbal): Directly parallels the concern about food causing a weaker brother to stumble. Paul argues that although food is not spiritually defiling, it is wrong to eat if it causes a fellow believer to perish or be offended (cf. 'destroy the work of God').
- 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (thematic): Echoes the tension between 'all things are lawful/clean' and the responsibility to avoid causing others to stumble. Paul emphasizes edification, seeking the good of the neighbor, and refraining from actions that give offense (e.g., eating/drinking in view of others).
- Romans 14:15 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same argument: if your food causes your brother to be hurt you are not walking in love. It restates the practical implication of not destroying another's faith by exercising liberty.
- Matthew 18:6 (cf. Mark 9:42) (thematic): Jesus' stern warning against causing 'little ones' to sin reflects the broader ethical principle behind Romans 14:20: believers must not put obstacles before others or cause them to stumble, even at cost to personal liberty.
- Galatians 5:13 (thematic): Paul's counsel to use Christian freedom not for self-indulgence but to serve one another in love resonates with Romans 14's injunction to limit liberty when it harms a brother's conscience or faith.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but it is wrong for the man who eats to cause his brother to stumble.
- Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but it is evil for the man who causes a brother to stumble.
Rom.14.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- καλον: ADJ,nom/acc,sg,neut
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μη: PART
- φαγειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- κρεα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- μηδε: CONJ
- πιειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- οινον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μηδε: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αδελφος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- προσκοπτει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- σκανδαλιζεται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ασθενει·: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 8:13 (verbal): Paul explicitly states the same resolution: if eating meat causes a brother to stumble, he will never eat meat — a direct verbal and ethical parallel to avoiding actions that harm weaker believers.
- 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 (thematic): Develops the same principle (’all things are lawful…not everything is helpful’) and instructs believers to refrain from lawful freedoms when they cause others to stumble, concluding with doing nothing that would be a stumbling block to others.
- Romans 14:13 (structural): Immediate context within the same chapter: commands not to judge but to decide not to put a stumbling block or hindrance in a brother’s way — the same pastoral concern and argumentative move as 14:21.
- Matthew 18:6 (cf. Luke 17:1-2) (allusion): Jesus’ strong warning against causing others (especially ‘little ones’) to sin or stumble echoes the moral gravity behind Paul’s counsel to abstain from actions that offend or weaken a brother.
Alternative generated candidates
- It is good not to eat meat, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
- It is good not to eat meat, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
Rom.14.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- εχεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- κατα: PREP
- σεαυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εχε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- ενωπιον: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μακαριος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μη: PART
- κρινων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- εαυτον: PRON,acc,sg,masc,reflex
- εν: PREP
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- δοκιμαζει·: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Rom.14.23 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same argument: contrasts blessing for acting in faith with condemnation when one acts with doubt (self-condemnation by conscience).
- Rom.14.4 (thematic): Same chapter’s refusal to let believers judge one another because each stands before his own Master—underscores keeping faith before God rather than judging others.
- 1 Cor.8:9-13 (thematic): Paul’s concern for the weaker brother’s conscience and warning not to cause another to sin parallels the appeal to act according to one’s faith before God and avoid self- or communal judgment.
- 1 Cor.10:28-30 (thematic): Discussion of food, conscience, and being judged by others—raises the same issue of acting in faith before God and avoiding actions that lead to self-condemnation or brother’s stumbling.
- Matt.7:1-5 (thematic): Jesus’ prohibition of hypocritical judging (‘do not judge’) and focus on self-examination parallels Paul’s call not to condemn oneself or others but to keep faith before God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Have you faith? Keep it to yourself before God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
- Keep your faith to yourself between you and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
Rom.14.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- διακρινομενος: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,m
- εαν: CONJ
- φαγη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- κατακεκριται: VERB,pres,pass,ind,3,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εκ: PREP
- πιστεως·παν: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εκ: PREP
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αμαρτια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Romans 14:22 (thematic): Immediate chapter parallel: Paul urges keeping one’s faith between oneself and God and says blessed is the one who does not condemn himself — directly linked to the idea that acting ‘not from faith’ leads to self-condemnation.
- 1 Corinthians 8:8-13 (thematic): Deals with food and conscience: though food is not spiritually defiling, exercising liberty without regard for a weaker brother’s conscience can cause that brother to be condemned — same ethical logic as Rom 14:23 about action and faith/conscience.
- 1 Corinthians 10:28-29 (thematic): Paul grapples with eating in contexts where others judge; he warns not to wound another’s conscience and asks why his liberty should be judged — connects to Rom 14:23’s concern that action contrary to conscience/faith brings condemnation.
- Hebrews 11:6 (thematic): States that without faith it is impossible to please God. Rom 14:23’s formula ‘whatever is not from faith is sin’ parallels the principle that faith is the requisite condition for right standing before God.
- James 2:14-26 (thematic): Argues that genuine faith is evidenced in actions (faith shown by works) and that mere profession apart from living faith is defective. Relates to Rom 14:23’s focus on the moral significance of whether actions proceed from true faith.
Alternative generated candidates
- But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
- But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
Rom.15.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Οφειλομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- δε: CONJ
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δυνατοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ασθενηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αδυνατων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- βασταζειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- εαυτοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- αρεσκειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Galatians 6:2 (verbal): Uses the same basic idea and verb of carrying/bearing burdens—'Bear one another's burdens'—parallel instruction to support those who are weak.
- Romans 14:1 (structural): Immediate contextual parallel in the same letter: Paul directs the community how to treat the 'weak in faith,' introducing the weak/strong theme developed into 15:1.
- Romans 14:13-19 (thematic): Paul urges believers not to judge or put stumbling blocks before brothers but to pursue peace and edification—practical outworking of the strong bearing with the weak.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 (thematic): Addresses how 'knowledge' must be tempered by love: the strong should abstain if their freedom causes a weaker believer to stumble—same ethical principle of bearing others' weaknesses.
- Philippians 2:4 (thematic): Commands consideration of others' interests rather than one's own, echoing Romans 15:1's 'not to please ourselves' and the ethic of self-denial for others' sake.
Alternative generated candidates
- We then who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
- We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak and not to please ourselves.
Rom.15.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εκαστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πλησιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αρεσκετω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αγαθον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- οικοδομην·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Rom.14.19 (verbal): Same exhortation to pursue what leads to peace and mutual 'upbuilding' (εἰς οἰκοδομήν); closely parallels the goal of pleasing the neighbor for edification.
- 1 Cor.8.1 (verbal): Uses the verb 'builds up' (οἰκοδομεῖ): 'knowledge puffs up, but love builds up' — links Christian conduct to the aim of edification of others.
- Eph.4.29 (verbal): Commands speech that is 'good for building up' (πρὸς οἰκοδομήν); parallels Romans' focus on pleasing the neighbor for their edification.
- 1 Thess.5.11 (verbal): Explicit injunction to 'encourage and build one another up' (παρακαλεῖτε... καὶ οἰκοδομεῖτε ἀλλήλους), echoing the communal imperative to edify fellow believers.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
- Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Rom.15.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ουχ: PART,neg
- εαυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ηρεσεν·αλλα: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- καθως: CONJ
- γεγραπται·Οι: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- ονειδισμοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ονειδιζοντων: PTCP,pres,act,gen,pl,m
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- επεπεσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- επ᾽εμε: PREP,acc
Parallels
- Psalm 69:9 (Hebrew numbering; LXX 68:10) (quotation): The exact verse Paul quotes: 'The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me,' which he applies to Christ as fulfillment of the Psalmist's words.
- Philippians 2:6-8 (thematic): Paul's portrait of Christ's kenosis—Christ did not grasp for his own advantage but humbled himself—parallels 'Christ did not please himself' (self-denial and humility).
- Mark 10:45 (thematic): Jesus' mission 'not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom' underscores his refusal to seek self-pleasing and his readiness to bear others' burdens.
- Isaiah 53:3-4 (allusion): The Suffering Servant is 'despised and rejected' and bears our griefs/reproaches; this prophetic background explains why reproach falls on the Messiah.
- 1 Peter 2:21-24 (verbal): Peter likewise presents Christ as suffering on our behalf and enduring reproach and insult, calling believers to follow his example—echoing the idea that Christ did not live to please himself.
Alternative generated candidates
- For even Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."
- For even Christ did not please himself; but as it is written, 'The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.'
Rom.15.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οσα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- γαρ: PART
- προεγραφη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ημετεραν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- διδασκαλιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εγραφη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- δια: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- υπομονης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- δια: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- παρακλησεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- γραφων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ελπιδα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εχωμεν: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,pl
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 10:11 (verbal): Uses the same idea that events recorded earlier were written for our instruction/admonition — Scripture as precedent and lesson for believers (close verbal and conceptual parallel).
- 2 Timothy 3:15 (thematic): Speaks of the Scriptures’ pedagogical purpose — making one wise for salvation through faith — paralleling Romans' claim that writings instruct and give hope through patience and encouragement.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 (verbal): States that all Scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training — echoing Romans 15:4’s claim that the written word serves instructive, consoling, and hope-producing purposes.
- Luke 24:27 (structural): Jesus interprets ‘all the Scriptures’ concerning himself so that the disciples understand God’s plan — a demonstration of Scripture’s role in instructing and producing hope/understanding consistent with Romans 15:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
- For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Rom.15.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- υπομονης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- παρακλησεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- δωη: VERB,aor,act,opt,3,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- φρονειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εν: PREP
- αλληλοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- κατα: PREP
- Χριστον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Rom.12.16 (verbal): Uses the same phrase το αὐτὸ φρονεῖτε ('be of the same mind')—direct verbal parallel urging unity of mind among believers.
- Phil.2.2 (verbal): Paul exhorts believers to 'be of the same mind' (το αὐτὸ φρονεῖσθε) and unity of spirit and love; a closely related verbal and conceptual parallel.
- 1 Cor.1.10 (thematic): An appeal for agreement and absence of divisions in the church—parallels Romans 15:5's petition for mutual unity 'according to Christ Jesus.'
- Col.3.15 (thematic): Calls for the peace of Christ to rule and believers to be one body—connects to Romans 15:5's aim of mutual agreement and unity in Christ.
- 2 Thess.3.5 (structural): A petitionary blessing—'May the Lord direct your hearts...'—similar liturgical structure to Romans 15:5's prayer that God grant a Christlike unity, linking divine granting with believers' dispositions.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
- Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus,
Rom.15.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ινα: CONJ
- ομοθυμαδον: ADV
- εν: PREP
- ενι: PREP
- στοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- δοξαζητε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Cor.1:10 (verbal): Paul appeals that the believers 'speak the same thing' and 'be perfectly united in the same mind,' paralleling Romans 15:6's call to one mind (ομοθυμαδόν/ὁμόφρονες) and unified confession.
- Eph.4:4-6 (thematic): Emphasizes unity ('one body, one Spirit... one God and Father of all'), echoing Romans 15:6's theme of corporate unity in confessing and glorifying God the Father.
- Phil.2:2 (verbal): Paul urges believers to 'be of the same mind, having the same love,' closely matching Romans 15:6's stress on being of one mind for communal praise.
- Phil.2:11 (verbal): 'Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father' parallels Romans 15:6's imagery of one mouth glorifying God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Heb.13:15 (thematic): Speaks of 'the fruit of lips that confess his name' as a continual sacrifice of praise—relating to Romans 15:6's focus on verbal praise/glorification of God by the community.
Alternative generated candidates
- that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom.15.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Διο: CONJ
- προσλαμβανεσθε: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,pl
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- καθως: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- προσελαβετο: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- εις: PREP
- δοξαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 10:40 (verbal): Jesus: “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” Direct verbal/paradigmatic parallel equating reception of believers/ambassadors with reception of Christ.
- John 13:20 (verbal): Jesus: “Whoever receives anyone I send receives me.” Closely parallels the idea that receiving members of Christ’s mission is tantamount to receiving Christ himself.
- John 1:12 (verbal): “To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Uses the same language of ‘receiving’ Christ; Rom 15:7 echoes this motif of reception leading to relation before God.
- Romans 14:1 (thematic): “Accept the one who is weak in faith…” Closely related immediate context in Romans: mutual acceptance of fellow believers despite differences.
- Romans 15:1-2 (structural): “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak…and each of us should please his neighbor for his good…” Direct contextual continuation of the call to welcome and forbear, culminating in 15:7’s summons to receive one another as Christ received you.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received you, to the glory of God.
- Therefore welcome one another, as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God.
Rom.15.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- γαρ: PART
- Χριστον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- διακονον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- γεγενησθαι: VERB,perf,mid/pass,inf
- περιτομης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- υπερ: PREP
- αληθειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- βεβαιωσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- επαγγελιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πατερων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Philippians 2:6-7 (verbal): Uses the servant motif (τὸν δοῦλον/διακονον) — Christ’s self‑emptying and service language parallels 'became a servant' in Rom 15:8.
- Galatians 4:4-5 (thematic): Speaks of Christ’s coming 'born under the law' to redeem those under the law — aligns with coming 'to the circumcision' in Rom 15:8 (mission to Israel).
- Acts 3:25-26 (verbal): Peter links God’s raising of 'his servant' (τοῦ δούλου) with blessing and the promises made to the fathers — closely parallels Rom 15:8’s language and purpose.
- Galatians 3:16 (allusion): Explains that the promises were made to Abraham’s 'seed' — identified as Christ — supporting Rom 15:8’s claim that Christ confirms the promises to the fathers.
- Genesis 12:3 (thematic): One of the foundational promises to the patriarchs (blessing to the nations); Rom 15:8 points to Christ’s role in fulfilling/confirming these ancestral promises.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised for the truth of God, to confirm the promises given to the fathers,
- For I say that Christ became a servant to the circumcised for the truth of God, to confirm the promises given to the fathers,
Rom.15.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- δε: CONJ
- εθνη: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
- υπερ: PREP
- ελεους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- δοξασαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον·καθως: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- γεγραπται·Δια: VERB,perf,mp,ind,3,sg
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- εξομολογησομαι: VERB,fut,mid,ind,1,sg
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- εν: PREP
- εθνεσι: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- ψαλω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 18:49 (LXX) / Psalm 18:50 (MT) (quotation): The verse Paul cites here comes from this Davidic psalm in the LXX text: 'For this cause I will confess to you among the nations, and sing to your name.'—the direct source of Rom 15:9.
- 2 Samuel 22:50 (quotation): Parallel Davidic song (2 Samuel 22) contains the same line as Psalm 18, providing the Hebrew/ narrative parallel to the psalm Paul quotes.
- Psalm 117:1 (thematic): A brief OT call for 'all nations' to praise the LORD — thematically echoes Paul's point that Gentiles should glorify God for his mercy.
- Isaiah 49:6 (thematic): Speaks of Israel's mission to bring light/salvation to the nations; thematically related to the inclusion of Gentiles and their praise of God in Rom 15:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name."
- and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, 'Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and I will sing to your name.'
Rom.15.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- παλιν: ADV
- λεγει·Ευφρανθητε: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εθνη: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
- μετα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- λαου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Deut 32:43 (LXX) (quotation): Romans 15:10 is a direct citation of the LXX reading of Deut 32:43 — the exact call for the nations to 'rejoice with his people.'
- Psalm 117:1 (thematic): Immediately linked in Romans 15 (v.11); both verses call the nations/peoples to praise the LORD, reinforcing the theme of Gentile inclusion and praise.
- Isaiah 11:10 (allusion): Prophecy that Gentiles will seek the root of Jesse and find hope — thematically parallel to the inclusion and rejoicing of the nations with God's people.
- Acts 13:47 (thematic): Paul (and Barnabas) cite God’s purpose to bring blessing to the Gentiles (quoting Isaiah) — parallels the missionary/eschatological idea that the nations are summoned to rejoice with Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- And again he says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."
- And again it says, 'Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.'
Rom.15.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- παλιν·Αινειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εθνη: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- επαινεσατωσαν: VERB,aor,act,imp,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- λαοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Psalm 117:1 (quotation): Direct quotation of the psalm—Paul echoes the call 'Praise the Lord, all nations; let all peoples praise him.' (LXX/MT Psalm 117:1).
- Psalm 67:3 (verbal): Very similar wording and theme: 'Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you,' a universal summons for nations to praise God.
- Psalm 96:1 (thematic): Calls all the earth to sing to the LORD and proclaim his salvation—shares the motif of worldwide praise and worship addressed to all nations.
- Revelation 7:9 (thematic): Eschatological vision of a great multitude from every nation praising God and the Lamb, reflecting the universal praise anticipated in Romans 15:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; and let all the peoples praise him."
- And again, 'Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; and let all the peoples praise him.'
Rom.15.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- παλιν: ADV
- Ησαιας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- λεγει·Εσται: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg+VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ριζα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ιεσσαι: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ανισταμενος: PART,pres,mid,nom,sg,m
- αρχειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εθνων·επ᾽αυτω: NOUN,gen,pl,n+PREP+PRON,dat,sg,m
- εθνη: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
- ελπιουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 11:10 (quotation): Direct OT source quoted by Paul: 'The root of Jesse will rise up... the nations will seek him' (Paul cites this prophecy about the Davidic/ Jesse root and Gentile hope).
- Isaiah 11:1 (allusion): Related imagery of the 'stem/root of Jesse' (shoot from Jesse's stump) portraying the Davidic Messiah from Jesse's line—background for 'root of Jesse' language.
- Isaiah 42:6 (thematic): Prophetic theme of the servant as light to the nations; connects to Paul’s emphasis that the Messiah’s coming brings hope and salvation to the Gentiles.
- Isaiah 49:6 (thematic): Another servant-text envisioning Israel’s mission to the Gentiles ('I will make you a light for the Gentiles'), reinforcing the idea that the Davidic figure brings hope to the nations.
- Revelation 22:16 (verbal): Christ identifies himself as 'the Root and the Offspring of David,' echoing 'root of Jesse' language and the motif of the Davidic root as messianic source of hope.
Alternative generated candidates
- And again Isaiah says, "There shall be a root of Jesse; and he who rises to rule the Gentiles, in him the Gentiles will hope."
- And again Isaiah says, 'There shall be a root of Jesse, and he who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.'
Rom.15.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ελπιδος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- πληρωσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- πασης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- χαρας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ειρηνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πιστευειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- περισσευειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ελπιδι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- δυναμει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αγιου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- Rom.5.5 (verbal): Links hope and the Holy Spirit—God’s love and hope are communicated to believers through the Spirit (cf. 'hope' and 'Spirit' language).
- Gal.5.22 (verbal): Specifies 'joy' and 'peace' as fruit of the Spirit, paralleling Paul’s wish that believers be filled with joy and peace by the Spirit.
- Eph.3.16-19 (structural): A Pauline prayer that believers be strengthened/filled through the power of the Spirit — similar petition form and aim (being filled/strengthened in faith and love by the Spirit).
- 2 Cor.13.11 (thematic): Final exhortation to 'rejoice' and 'be at peace,' with the assurance of God's presence ('God of love and peace'), echoing the themes of joy, peace, and God’s preserving power.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
- Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Welcome the one who is weak in faith, but not for disputing over opinions.
One person believes he may eat anything; another, who is weak, eats only vegetables.
Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains judge the one who eats; for God has welcomed him.
Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.
Whoever observes the day observes it to the Lord; and whoever eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God. And whoever abstains, abstains to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself.
For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
For to this end Christ died and was raised, that he might be Lord of the dead and the living.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God;
for it is written, 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.' So then each of us will give account of himself to God.
Therefore let us not judge one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in a brother's way.
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
If your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died.
Do not let your good be spoken of as evil.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. All things indeed are clean, but it is wrong for the one who eats to make another stumble.
It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
Have faith in your own convictions before God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
For even Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, 'The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.'
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s faithfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,
and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, 'Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.' And again it says, 'Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.' And again, 'Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.' And again Isaiah says, 'The root of Jesse shall come, even he who rises to rule the nations; in him shall the Gentiles hope.'
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.