Romans 14:23

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 14:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Romans 14:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he that doubteth, etc..] Or makes a difference between meats and meats, or is in suspense whether any difference should be observed or not, is damned; not with everlasting damnation, which is not the consequent of, nor connected with such an action, as eating of a thing indifferent, with a scrupulous conscience; but such an one is condemned in his own conscience; he is self-condemned, his conscience condemns him for what he himself does; and he is self-condemned in judging and censuring others, for the same things: so the Syriac renders it, hl byyjta, “he becomes guilty”, or he contracts guilt to himself, or is self-condemned; and so the Arabic, “he is already condemned”, because [he…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And--rather, "But" he that doubteth is damned--On the word "damnation," see on Rom 13:2. if he eat, because he eateth not of faith--On the meaning of "faith" here, see on Rom 14:22. for whatsoever is not of faith is sin--a maxim of unspeakable importance in the Christian life. Note, (1) Some points in Christianity are unessential to Christian fellowship; so that though one may be in error upon them, he is not on that account to be excluded either from the communion of the Church or from the full confidence of those who have more light. This distinction between essential and non-essential truths is denied by some who affect more than ordinary zeal for the honor and truth of God. But they must…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He that doubteth - He that is not fully satisfied in his mind; who does not do it with a clear conscience. The margin has it rendered correctly, “He that discerneth and putteth a difference between meats.” He that conscientiously believes, as the Jew did, that the Levitical law respecting the difference between meats was binding on Christians. Is damned - We apply this word almost exclusively to the future punishment of the wicked in hell. But it is of importance to remember, in reading the Bible, that this is not of necessity its meaning. It means properly to “condemn;” and here it means only that the person who should thus violate the dictates of his conscience would incur guilt, and would…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Because it is not of faith - He does not believe it lawful and, in all these cases, whatsoever is not of faith is sin - Whatever a man does without a full persuasion of its lawfulness, it is sin to him. Next: Romans Chapter 15”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“14:23 If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning: God’s word defines sin for us, yet sin also involves violating our conscience. The weak Christians in Rome did not yet believe in their own hearts that they could eat meat, drink wine, or ignore Jewish holy days; their consciences were still weak. They should not violate their consciences on these matters. Nor should the strong, by the power of their example or by their scorn, force weak Christians to do so.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he that: Co1 8:7 doubteth: or, discerneth and putteth a difference between meats damned: Rather, is condemned, κατακεκριται \[Strong's G2632\]; which is the proper signification of damned, from the Latin damno to condemn. Rom 13:2; Co1 11:29-31 whatsoever: Tit 1:15; Heb 11:6 Next: Romans Chapter 15”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification