Romans 14

Lord both of the dead and living

Christ — the Anointed One; Lord — Master and Owner

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. Romans 14:7–9

Christ died and rose again so that He would be Lord over everyone, living or dead. Whether we live or die, we belong to Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Acts 10:42 — Ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
• alludes to Revelation 1:18 — I am he that liveth, and was dead... and have the keys of hell and of death.

The judgment seat of Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14:10

Instead of judging each other, we should remember that every one of us will stand before Christ, the true Judge.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in 2 Corinthians 5:10 — We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
• alludes to John 5:22 — The Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son.
• the same title in Mormon 3:20 — Ye must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.

Every knee shall bow (Jehovah's oath applied to Christ)

Jehovah — the covenant name rendered LORD in Isaiah 45:23

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Romans 14:11

In Isaiah the LORD, Jehovah, swears that every knee will bow to Him. Paul uses that oath to prove we will all stand before Christ's judgment seat, showing that Christ is that LORD.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Isaiah 45:23 — Unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
• alluded to by Philippians 2:10-11 — At the name of Jesus every knee should bow... confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
• the same title in Mosiah 27:31 — Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him.

Persuaded by the Lord Jesus

Jesus — Jehovah saves

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Romans 14:14

Paul's confidence comes from the Lord Jesus Himself, who taught that nothing entering a person makes him unclean.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Mark 7:15 — There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him.

The brother for whom Christ died

Christ — the Anointed One

But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Romans 14:15

Every person, even one who is weak or annoying to us, is someone Christ died for. That makes them too precious to hurt over something small.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in 1 Corinthians 8:11 — Shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

Serving Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Romans 14:18

Living with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost is really serving Christ, and that pleases God.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him