1
Τὸν δὲ ἀσθενοῦντα τῇ πίστει προσλαμβάνεσθε, μὴ εἰς διακρίσεις διαλογισμῶν.
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
The governing command of the section: receive the believer whose faith is weak — but not in order to argue him out of his scruples.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
Τὸνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲnow/as forconnective conjunction
ἀσθενοῦνταwho is weakPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἀσθενέωsubstantival participle (direct object)→ customary (characteristic)ἀσθενέω: 'be weak, feeble' (cf. 4:19; 8:3); the 'weak in faith' — those with scruples about food and days, not yet free in conscience.
τῇin theDativearticle
πίστειfaithDativedat. of referenceπίστις: 'faith' (cf. 1:17; 14:22-23); weak 'with respect to faith' — limited in the liberty faith allows.
προσλαμβάνεσθεwelcome/receivePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · προσλαμβάνωmain verb (command)→ imperatival (continuous)προσλαμβάνω: 'receive, welcome, accept' (πρός + λαμβάνω; cf. v.3; 15:7); take the weak into full fellowship, as God has.
μὴnotnegative particle
εἰςfor/topreposition + accusative (purpose)
διακρίσειςquarrels/disputesAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)διάκρισις: 'distinguishing, dispute, passing judgment' (cf. διακρίνω, 4:20; 14:23); not for the purpose of disputing/judging his views.
διαλογισμῶνof opinions/thoughtsGenitiveobjective genitiveδιαλογισμός: 'reasoning, opinion, doubtful thought' (cf. 1:21); the disputable matters of conscience.
2
ὃς μὲν πιστεύει φαγεῖν πάντα, ὁ δὲ ἀσθενῶν λάχανα ἐσθίει.
One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.
The presenting issue: the strong eats freely, the weak restricts himself to vegetables — a difference of conviction, not of righteousness.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ὃςone/whoNominativerelative/demonstrative pronoun (subject)ὃς μὲν … ὁ δέ: 'the one … the other.'
μὲνon the one handparticle (μέν … δέ)
πιστεύειbelieves/has faithPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πιστεύωmain verb→ customary presentπιστεύω: 'believe, have confidence' (cf. v.1); his faith permits him to eat anything.
φαγεῖνto eatAor Act Inf · ἐσθίωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristἐσθίω (aor. φαγεῖν): 'eat'; the freedom claimed.
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all'; any food without restriction.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲon the otherparticle (δέ answering μέν)
ἀσθενῶνweak (one)Pres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἀσθενέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary (characteristic)ἀσθενέω: 'be weak' (cf. v.1); the scrupulous believer.
λάχαναvegetablesAccusativedirect objectλάχανον: 'garden herb, vegetable' (cf. λαχαίνω, 'dig'); a vegetarian restriction, perhaps to avoid meat tied to idols or non-kosher slaughter.
ἐσθίειeatsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb→ customary presentἐσθίω: 'eat'; his self-limited diet.
3
ὁ ἐσθίων τὸν μὴ ἐσθίοντα μὴ ἐξουθενείτω, ὁ δὲ μὴ ἐσθίων τὸν ἐσθίοντα μὴ κρινέτω, ὁ θεὸς γὰρ αὐτὸν προσελάβετο.
Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.
The two matching errors named: the strong must not despise the weak, nor the weak condemn the strong — for God has already accepted both.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐσθίωνwho eatsPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐσθίωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary (characteristic)ἐσθίω: 'eat'; the strong, who eats all.
τὸνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
ἐσθίονταwho abstainsPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἐσθίωsubstantival participle (direct object)→ customary (characteristic)ἐσθίω: 'eat'; 'the non-eater' — the weak.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ imperative)
ἐξουθενείτωlet despisePres Act Impv 3 Sg · ἐξουθενέωmain verb (prohibition)→ imperatival (continuous prohibition)ἐξουθενέω: 'despise, treat with contempt, regard as nothing' (cf. v.10); the strong's temptation — to scorn the weak as backward.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲandconnective conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
ἐσθίωνwho abstainsPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐσθίωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary (characteristic)ἐσθίω: 'eat'; 'the non-eater' — the weak.
τὸνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐσθίονταwho eatsPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἐσθίωsubstantival participle (direct object)→ customary (characteristic)ἐσθίω: 'eat'; the strong.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ imperative)
κρινέτωlet judge/condemnPres Act Impv 3 Sg · κρίνωmain verb (prohibition)→ imperatival (continuous prohibition)κρίνω: 'judge, condemn' (cf. 2:1; 14:10, 13); the weak's temptation — to condemn the strong as lax.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
προσελάβετοhas welcomedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προσλαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aoristπροσλαμβάνω: 'welcome, receive' (cf. v.1; 15:7); God's acceptance settles the matter — who are we to reject whom God receives?
4
σὺ τίς εἶ ὁ κρίνων ἀλλότριον οἰκέτην; τῷ ἰδίῳ κυρίῳ στήκει ἢ πίπτει· σταθήσεται δέ, δυνατεῖ γὰρ ὁ κύριος στῆσαι αὐτόν.
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 stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
The decisive rebuke: you have no standing to judge another man's household servant — he answers to his own master, the Lord, who will uphold him.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: 'you' — emphatic, challenging the judge's presumption (cf. 9:20; 14:10).
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate)τίς εἶ;: 'who are you?' — what right have you?
εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ stative present
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
κρίνωνwho judgesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κρίνωsubstantival participle (apposition to σύ)→ customary (characteristic)κρίνω: 'judge, condemn' (cf. v.3); judging another's servant — not your place.
ἀλλότριονanother'sAccusativeattributive adjectiveἀλλότριος: 'belonging to another, foreign' (cf. ἄλλος); the servant is not yours to judge.
οἰκέτηνhousehold servantAccusativedirect objectοἰκέτης: 'house-slave, domestic servant' (cf. οἶκος, 'house'); a member of another's household — accountable to that master.
τῷto the/before theDativearticle
ἰδίῳhis ownDativeattributive adjectiveἴδιος: 'one's own' (cf. 8:32; 14:5); the servant's own master.
κυρίῳmaster/lordDativedat. of referenceκύριος: 'master, lord' (cf. v.6-9); the master to whom the servant answers — ultimately the Lord.
στήκειhe standsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · στήκωmain verb→ gnomic presentστήκω: 'stand, stand firm' (a later present formed from ἕστηκα; cf. Phil 1:27); to stand approved before his master.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
πίπτειfallsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb→ gnomic presentπίπτω: 'fall' (cf. 11:11, 22); to fall — but that verdict belongs to the master, not to fellow servants.
σταθήσεταιhe will stand/be made to standFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb→ predictive futureἵστημι: 'stand, make stand' (cf. 5:2; 11:20); the divine passive — the Lord will uphold him.
δέandadversative/connective conjunction
δυνατεῖis ablePres Act Indic 3 Sg · δυνατέωmain verb→ gnomic presentδυνατέω: 'be able, be powerful' (cf. δυνατός, 11:23); the Lord's power to sustain the servant.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubjectκύριος: 'Lord' (cf. v.6-9); able to make his servant stand — so do not write him off.
στῆσαιto make standAor Act Inf · ἵστημιcomplementary infinitive (w/ δυνατεῖ)→ constative aoristἵστημι: 'make stand, establish'; the Lord upholds his own.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object
5
ὃς μὲν γὰρ κρίνει ἡμέραν παρ' ἡμέραν, ὃς δὲ κρίνει πᾶσαν ἡμέραν· ἕκαστος ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ νοῒ πληροφορείσθω.
One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.
A second disputable matter — sacred days — handled the same way: let each reach his own settled conviction before God.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ὃςone/whoNominativerelative/demonstrative pronoun (subject)ὃς μὲν … ὃς δέ: 'one … another.'
μὲνon the one handparticle (μέν … δέ)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
κρίνειesteems/judgesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · κρίνωmain verb→ customary presentκρίνω: here 'judge, regard, esteem' (a different nuance than 'condemn'); to rate one day above another.
ἡμέρανdayAccusativedirect objectἡμέρα: 'day' (cf. 13:12-13); a particular day held sacred.
παρ'above/thanpreposition + accusative (comparison)παρά + acc.: 'above, more than' — one day rated over another.
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeobject of παρά
ὃςanother/whoNominativerelative/demonstrative pronoun (subject)
δὲon the otherparticle (δέ answering μέν)
κρίνειesteems/judgesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · κρίνωmain verb→ customary presentκρίνω: 'judge, esteem'; regarding every day alike.
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeattributive adjective
ἡμέρανdayAccusativedirect objectἡμέρα: 'day'; all days equal — no sacred distinction.
ἕκαστοςeach oneNominativesubject (substantival adj.)ἕκαστος: 'each' (cf. 12:3); the individual responsibility.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
ἰδίῳhis ownDativeattributive adjectiveἴδιος: 'one's own' (cf. v.4); his own mind, not another's.
νοῒmindDativedat. of sphereνοῦς: 'mind, understanding' (cf. 12:2); the sphere of personal conviction.
πληροφορείσθωlet be fully convincedPres Pass Impv 3 Sg · πληροφορέωmain verb (3rd-person imperative)→ imperatival (continuous)πληροφορέω: 'be fully assured, fully convinced' (cf. 4:21); let each settle the matter in his own conscience — not coerced.
6
ὁ φρονῶν τὴν ἡμέραν κυρίῳ φρονεῖ· καὶ ὁ ἐσθίων κυρίῳ ἐσθίει, εὐχαριστεῖ γὰρ τῷ θεῷ· καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων κυρίῳ οὐκ ἐσθίει, καὶ εὐχαριστεῖ τῷ θεῷ.
The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; and the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
The unifying motive beneath the difference: both the observer and the eater (and the abstainer) act 'to the Lord,' each with thanksgiving — so both honor God.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
φρονῶνwho observes/regardsPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · φρονέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary (characteristic)φρονέω: 'think, regard, be intent on' (cf. 8:5; 12:3); to mind/observe the day.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἡμέρανdayAccusativedirect objectἡμέρα: 'day'; the day observed.
κυρίῳto the LordDativedat. of advantage/referenceκύριος: 'Lord' (cf. v.4, 8); the day kept 'unto the Lord' — that is what sanctifies it.
φρονεῖobservesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · φρονέωmain verb→ customary present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐσθίωνwho eatsPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐσθίωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary (characteristic)ἐσθίω: 'eat'; the strong.
κυρίῳto the LordDativedat. of advantage/referenceκύριος: 'Lord'; he eats 'unto the Lord.'
ἐσθίειeatsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb→ customary present
εὐχαριστεῖgives thanksPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εὐχαριστέωmain verb→ customary presentεὐχαριστέω: 'give thanks' (cf. 1:21; 14:6); thanksgiving consecrates his eating — proof it is done to the Lord.
γὰρfor/sinceexplanatory conjunction
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of recipient
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
ἐσθίωνwho abstainsPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐσθίωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary (characteristic)ἐσθίω: 'eat'; 'the non-eater' — the weak.
κυρίῳto the LordDativedat. of advantage/referenceκύριος: 'Lord'; he abstains 'unto the Lord' too.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐσθίειeatsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb→ customary present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εὐχαριστεῖgives thanksPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εὐχαριστέωmain verb→ customary presentεὐχαριστέω: 'give thanks'; the weak, too, thanks God — his abstention is also worship.
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of recipient
7
οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἡμῶν ἑαυτῷ ζῇ, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἑαυτῷ ἀποθνῄσκει·
For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.
The deeper truth grounding it all: no believer's life or death is his own private affair — we belong to the Lord.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubjectοὐδείς: 'no one' (cf. 13:8); none of us.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἡμῶνof usGenitivepartitive genitive
ἑαυτῷto himselfDativereflexive (dat. of advantage/reference)'to/for himself' — no autonomous, self-referential existence.
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb→ gnomic presentζάω: 'live' (cf. 6:10-11; 14:8); our living is not for ourselves but for the Lord.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubjectοὐδείς: 'no one.'
ἑαυτῷto himselfDativereflexive (dat. of reference)
ἀποθνῄσκειdiesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb→ gnomic presentἀποθνῄσκω: 'die' (cf. 6:10; 14:8); even our dying belongs to the Lord.
8
ἐάν τε γὰρ ζῶμεν, τῷ κυρίῳ ζῶμεν, ἐάν τε ἀποθνῄσκωμεν, τῷ κυρίῳ ἀποθνῄσκομεν. ἐάν τε οὖν ζῶμεν ἐάν τε ἀποθνῄσκωμεν, τοῦ κυρίου ἐσμέν.
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.
The glorious conclusion: living or dying, we are the Lord's — and that total belonging dwarfs every dispute about food and days.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἐάνifconjunction (third-class condition)ἐάν τε … ἐάν τε: 'whether … or.'
τεboth/whethercorrelative particle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ζῶμενwe livePres Act Subj 1 Pl · ζάωsubjunctive (protasis)→ present (general)ζάω: 'live' (cf. v.7).
τῷto theDativearticle
κυρίῳLordDativedat. of advantage/referenceκύριος: 'Lord' (cf. v.4-9); the Lord, to whom we live.
ζῶμενwe livePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ζάωmain verb (apodosis)→ gnomic present
ἐάνifconjunction (third-class condition)
τεor/whethercorrelative particle
ἀποθνῄσκωμενwe diePres Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωsubjunctive (protasis)→ present (general)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die.'
τῷto theDativearticle
κυρίῳLordDativedat. of advantage/reference
ἀποθνῄσκομενwe diePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (apodosis)→ gnomic present
ἐάνifconjunction (third-class condition)
τεwhethercorrelative particle
οὖνthen/soinferential conjunction
ζῶμενwe livePres Act Subj 1 Pl · ζάωsubjunctive (protasis)→ present (general)
ἐάνifconjunction (third-class condition)
τεorcorrelative particle
ἀποθνῄσκωμενwe diePres Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωsubjunctive (protasis)→ present (general)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κυρίουLord'sGenitivegenitive of possession (predicate)κύριος: 'Lord'; 'we are the Lord's' — belonging wholly to him in life and death.
ἐσμένwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ stative present
9
εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν καὶ ἔζησεν ἵνα καὶ νεκρῶν καὶ ζώντων κυριεύσῃ.
For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
The ground of that belonging: Christ died and rose precisely to become Lord over the dead and the living alike.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
εἰςfor/topreposition + accusative (purpose)εἰς τοῦτο: 'for this purpose, to this end.'
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of εἰς (demonstrative)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject
ἀπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die' (cf. 5:8; 14:15); his death.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔζησενlived againAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb→ ingressive aoristζάω: 'live'; the ingressive aorist 'came to life' = rose again (cf. Rev 2:8); his resurrection.
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)
καὶbothcorrelative (καὶ … καί)
νεκρῶνdeadGenitivegenitive (object of κυριεύσῃ)νεκρός: 'dead' (cf. 4:17; 6:11); the dead, over whom Christ is Lord.
καὶandcorrelative (καὶ … καί)
ζώντωνlivingPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · ζάωsubstantival participle (object of κυριεύσῃ)→ present (ongoing)ζάω: 'live'; the living, over whom Christ is also Lord.
κυριεύσῃhe might be Lord/ruleAor Act Subj 3 Sg · κυριεύωsubjunctive (purpose clause)→ ingressive aoristκυριεύω: 'be lord over, rule' (cf. κύριος; 6:9, 14); Christ's lordship over all — the goal of his death and resurrection, grounding our belonging.
10
σὺ δὲ τί κρίνεις τὸν ἀδελφόν σου; ἢ καὶ σὺ τί ἐξουθενεῖς τὸν ἀδελφόν σου; πάντες γὰρ παραστησόμεθα τῷ βήματι τοῦ θεοῦ·
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
The argument turns to accountability: who are you to judge or despise a brother, when all of us must stand before God's tribunal?
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: 'you' — addressing the weak (the judge; cf. v.3).
δὲnow/butadversative conjunction
τίwhyinterrogative (adverbial accusative)
κρίνειςdo you judgePres Act Indic 2 Sg · κρίνωmain verb→ customary presentκρίνω: 'judge, condemn' (cf. v.3-4); the weak judging the strong.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἀδελφόνbrotherAccusativedirect objectἀδελφός: 'brother' (cf. 12:1; 14:13); a fellow believer — the relationship that makes judging so wrong.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
καὶalso/evenadverbial
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: 'you' — now addressing the strong (the despiser; cf. v.3).
τίwhyinterrogative (adverbial accusative)
ἐξουθενεῖςdo you despisePres Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐξουθενέωmain verb→ customary presentἐξουθενέω: 'despise, treat with contempt' (cf. v.3); the strong scorning the weak.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἀδελφόνbrotherAccusativedirect objectἀδελφός: 'brother'; the same family bond.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
πάντεςallNominativesubject (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all'; everyone — judge and judged alike.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
παραστησόμεθαwe will stand beforeFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · παρίστημιmain verb→ predictive futureπαρίστημι: 'present oneself, stand before' (cf. 6:13; 12:1); all will be arraigned before God.
τῷtheDativearticle
βήματιjudgment seatDativedat. (the tribunal stood before)βῆμα: 'tribunal, judgment seat, raised platform' (cf. the βῆμα at Corinth, Acts 18:12); God's court — where all give account (some MSS read 'of Christ').
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive
11
γέγραπται γάρ· Ζῶ ἐγώ, λέγει κύριος, ὅτι ἐμοὶ κάμψει πᾶν γόνυ, καὶ πᾶσα γλῶσσα ἐξομολογήσεται τῷ θεῷ.
For it is written: 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.'
Scripture's oath confirms it (Isa 45:23): the living God has sworn that all will bow and confess to him — so all are accountable to him, not to us.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
γέγραπταιit is writtenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γράφωmain verb (citation formula)→ intensive perfect (standing record)γράφω: 'it stands written'; quoting Isa 45:23 (cf. 49:18).
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
ΖῶI livePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ζάωmain verb (citation, oath formula)→ stative presentζάω: 'live'; 'as I live' — the divine oath formula, God swearing by his own life.
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun, God speaking)ἐγώ: 'I' — God himself.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (citation tag)→ gnomic present
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubjectκύριος: 'Lord'; God, the one who swears.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of oath)
ἐμοὶto meDativedat. of indirect object (emphatic, fronted)'to me' — every knee bows to God.
κάμψειshall bowFut Act Indic 3 Sg · κάμπτωmain verb (citation)→ predictive futureκάμπτω: 'bend, bow' (cf. 11:4); universal homage to God (cf. Phil 2:10).
πᾶνeveryNominativeattributive adjective
γόνυkneeNominativesubjectγόνυ: 'knee' (cf. 11:4); every knee — the posture of submission.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πᾶσαeveryNominativeattributive adjective
γλῶσσαtongueNominativesubjectγλῶσσα: 'tongue, language' (cf. 3:13); every tongue — universal confession.
ἐξομολογήσεταιshall confess/acknowledgeFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐξομολογέωmain verb (citation)→ predictive futureἐξομολογέω: 'confess openly, acknowledge, praise' (ἐκ + ὁμολογέω; cf. 10:9); every tongue will openly acknowledge God.
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of indirect object
12
ἄρα οὖν ἕκαστος ἡμῶν περὶ ἑαυτοῦ λόγον δώσει τῷ θεῷ.
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
The conclusion drawn: each of us will answer to God for himself — which leaves no room to be his brother's judge.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἄραsoinferential particleἄρα οὖν: 'so then' (cf. 5:18; 8:12); the conclusion of vv.10-11.
οὖνtheninferential conjunction
ἕκαστοςeach oneNominativesubject (substantival adj.)ἕκαστος: 'each' (cf. v.5; 12:3); individual accountability.
ἡμῶνof usGenitivepartitive genitive
περὶconcerning/ofpreposition + genitive (reference)
ἑαυτοῦhimselfGenitivereflexive (object of περί)'concerning himself' — each answers for his own life, not his brother's.
λόγονaccountAccusativedirect objectλόγος: 'account, reckoning' (cf. 'logos'; here a financial/judicial 'account'); λόγον δοῦναι = 'render account.'
δώσειwill give/renderFut Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ predictive futureδίδωμι: 'give'; to render an account to God — the sobering motive to stop judging.
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of indirect object
13
Μηκέτι οὖν ἀλλήλους κρίνωμεν· ἀλλὰ τοῦτο κρίνατε μᾶλλον, τὸ μὴ τιθέναι πρόσκομμα τῷ ἀδελφῷ ἢ σκάνδαλον.
Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
The pivot from judging to caring: stop judging each other; instead resolve — a different kind of 'judging' — never to set a snare before a brother.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
Μηκέτιno longeradverb (negation of time)μηκέτι: 'no longer' (cf. 6:6); cease the mutual judging.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunction
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativereciprocal pronoun (object of κρίνωμεν)ἀλλήλων: 'one another' (cf. 12:5, 10); the mutual judging to stop.
κρίνωμενlet us judgePres Act Subj 1 Pl · κρίνωhortatory subjunctive→ imperatival (continuous prohibition)κρίνω: 'judge, condemn' (cf. v.3-4, 10); let us stop condemning each other.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (direct object, proleptic)
κρίνατεdecide/resolveAor Act Impv 2 Pl · κρίνωmain verb (command)→ ingressive aoristκρίνω: here 'decide, determine, resolve' (a different sense of the same verb — a deliberate wordplay); make this your judgment instead.
μᾶλλονratheradverb (comparative)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes inf.)
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ inf.)
τιθέναιto put/placePres Act Inf · τίθημιarticular infinitive (epexegetical of τοῦτο)→ present (ongoing)τίθημι: 'place, put, set' (cf. 4:17; 9:33); not to lay an obstacle in a brother's path.
πρόσκομμαstumbling blockAccusativedirect objectπρόσκομμα: 'stumbling block, obstacle' (cf. 9:32-33); something that trips a brother into sin.
τῷthe/for theDativearticle
ἀδελφῷbrotherDativedat. of disadvantageἀδελφός: 'brother' (cf. v.10); the fellow believer to be protected.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
σκάνδαλονhindrance/snareAccusativedirect object (coordinate)σκάνδαλον: 'snare, trap, cause of stumbling, offense' (cf. 9:33; 11:9; 'scandal'); a trap that causes a fall.
14
οἶδα καὶ πέπεισμαι ἐν κυρίῳ Ἰησοῦ ὅτι οὐδὲν κοινὸν δι' ἑαυτοῦ· εἰ μὴ τῷ λογιζομένῳ τι κοινὸν εἶναι, ἐκείνῳ κοινόν.
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
Paul's own settled conviction, with a crucial qualification: no food is intrinsically unclean — yet it becomes unclean for the one whose conscience deems it so.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
οἶδαI knowPerf Act Indic 1 Sg (pres. sense) · οἶδαmain verb→ perfect w/ present forceοἶδα: 'know'; Paul's firm knowledge — he sides with the 'strong.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πέπεισμαιam persuadedPerf Pass Indic 1 Sg · πείθωmain verb→ intensive perfect (settled conviction)πείθω (pass.): 'be persuaded, convinced' (cf. 8:38); a settled, abiding conviction.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativeobject of ἐν (sphere)κύριος: 'Lord'; his conviction held 'in the Lord Jesus' — grounded in Christ (cf. Jesus' teaching, Mark 7:19).
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
οὐδὲνnothingNominativesubjectοὐδείς: 'nothing'; no food is unclean of itself.
κοινὸνcommon/uncleanNominativepredicate adjectiveκοινός: 'common, profane, ritually unclean' (cf. Acts 10:14; the opposite of ἅγιος/καθαρός); 'common' = defiled, ceremonially impure — a Jewish category Paul relativizes.
δι'in/throughpreposition + genitive (means/reference)δι' ἑαυτοῦ: 'through itself, in itself, of its own nature.'
ἑαυτοῦitselfGenitivereflexive (object of διά)'in itself' — no food is intrinsically defiled.
εἰexceptconjunction (εἰ μή, 'except')εἰ μή: 'except' — the qualification that follows.
μὴnotnegative particle
τῷfor the (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
λογιζομένῳwho considers/reckonsPres Mid Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · λογίζομαιsubstantival participle (dat. of reference)→ customary (characteristic)λογίζομαι: 'reckon, consider, regard' (cf. ch. 4; 14:14); for the one who regards something as unclean.
τιanything/somethingAccusativeindefinite pronoun (accusative subject of inf.)
κοινὸνcommon/uncleanAccusativepredicate accusativeκοινός: 'unclean'; what he deems defiled.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive (indirect discourse)→ stative present
ἐκείνῳfor that oneDativedemonstrative (dat. of reference)'for that person' — subjectively unclean, because his conscience condemns it; conscience must not be violated (cf. v.23).
κοινόνcommon/uncleanNominativepredicate adjective (verbless)κοινός: 'unclean'; for him it is genuinely defiling — to eat against conscience is sin.
15
εἰ γὰρ διὰ βρῶμα ὁ ἀδελφός σου λυπεῖται, οὐκέτι κατὰ ἀγάπην περιπατεῖς. μὴ τῷ βρώματί σου ἐκεῖνον ἀπόλλυε ὑπὲρ οὗ Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν.
For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy by your food the one for whom Christ died.
The weight of the matter: to wound a brother over food is to abandon love — never let your eating ruin one for whom Christ gave his life.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
βρῶμαfoodAccusativeobject of διά (cause)βρῶμα: 'food' (cf. βιβρώσκω, 'eat'; v.20); the trivial cause set against the brother's eternal worth.
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἀδελφόςbrotherNominativesubjectἀδελφός: 'brother' (cf. v.10, 13).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
λυπεῖταιis grievedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · λυπέωmain verb→ present (ongoing)λυπέω: 'grieve, distress, cause pain' (cf. λύπη, 9:2); the brother wounded — drawn into sin against conscience or distress.
οὐκέτιno longeradverb (negation)οὐκέτι: 'no longer.'
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativeobject of κατά (standard)ἀγάπη: 'love' (cf. 12:9; 13:10); the standard abandoned when one insists on rights over a brother's good.
περιπατεῖςyou are walking/livingPres Act Indic 2 Sg · περιπατέωmain verb→ present (ongoing)περιπατέω: 'walk, conduct oneself' (cf. 6:4; 13:13); to walk by love means to limit one's liberty for the brother.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ imperative)
τῷby theDativearticle
βρώματίfoodDativedat. of meansβρῶμα: 'food'; the means of destruction — a thing so trivial.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐκεῖνονthat oneAccusativedemonstrative (direct object)'that person' — the brother.
ἀπόλλυεdestroyPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb (prohibition)→ imperatival (continuous prohibition)ἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy, ruin, cause to perish' (cf. ἀπώλεια, 9:22); do not ruin a brother spiritually over a meal.
ὑπὲρfor/on behalf ofpreposition + genitive (advantage)
οὗwhomGenitiverelative pronoun (object of ὑπέρ)
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject (rel. clause)
ἀπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die' (cf. 5:8; 14:9); Christ died for this brother — the measure of his worth, and the rebuke to careless liberty.
16
μὴ βλασφημείσθω οὖν ὑμῶν τὸ ἀγαθόν.
So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.
A brief guard on reputation: do not let your genuine liberty (your 'good') become a thing others revile.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ imperative)
βλασφημείσθωlet be spoken evil of/reviledPres Pass Impv 3 Sg · βλασφημέωmain verb (3rd-person prohibition)→ imperatival (continuous prohibition)βλασφημέω: 'slander, revile, speak evil of' (cf. 3:8); do not let your good be defamed by misuse.
οὖνso/thereforeinferential conjunction
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
τὸtheNominativearticle
ἀγαθόνgoodNominativesubject (substantival adj.)ἀγαθός: 'good' (cf. v.16; 12:9); 'your good' — likely the good gift of Christian liberty, not to be turned into an occasion of reproach.
17
οὐ γάρ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ βρῶσις καὶ πόσις, ἀλλὰ δικαιοσύνη καὶ εἰρήνη καὶ χαρὰ ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ·
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The principle that reframes the whole dispute: God's kingdom is not about diet but about righteousness, peace, and Spirit-given joy.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
οὐnotnegative particle
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ gnomic present
ἡtheNominativearticle
βασιλείαkingdomNominativesubjectβασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign' (cf. βασιλεύω, 5:17, 21); God's rule — a relatively rare term in Romans, here defining true priorities.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive
βρῶσιςeatingNominativepredicate nominativeβρῶσις: 'eating, food' (cf. βρῶμα, v.15); not a matter of what one eats.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πόσιςdrinkingNominativepredicate nominativeπόσις: 'drinking, drink' (cf. ποτίζω, 12:20); not about what one drinks.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
δικαιοσύνηrighteousnessNominativepredicate nominativeδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness' (cf. 1:17; here likely right conduct/relationship); the kingdom's true substance.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativepredicate nominativeεἰρήνη: 'peace' (cf. 5:1; 14:19); peace with God and with one another.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
χαρὰjoyNominativepredicate nominativeχαρά: 'joy' (cf. χαίρω, 12:12, 15); gladness in the Spirit.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/source)
πνεύματιSpiritDativedat. of sphereπνεῦμα: 'Spirit' (cf. ch. 8); the Holy Spirit — the source of this righteousness, peace, and joy.
ἁγίῳHolyDativeattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; qualifying the Spirit.
18
ὁ γὰρ ἐν τούτῳ δουλεύων τῷ Χριστῷ εὐάρεστος τῷ θεῷ καὶ δόκιμος τοῖς ἀνθρώποις.
Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
The reward of such priorities: the one who serves Christ in this way pleases God and earns the respect of others.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/manner)ἐν τούτῳ: 'in this (way)' — by these priorities (some MSS, 'in these things').
τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative (object of ἐν)
δουλεύωνwho servesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · δουλεύωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary (characteristic)δουλεύω: 'serve as a slave' (cf. 6:6; 12:11); serving Christ in righteousness, peace, joy.
τῷtheDativearticle
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. (the master served)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the Lord served in such living.
εὐάρεστοςacceptable/pleasingNominativepredicate adjectiveεὐάρεστος: 'well-pleasing, acceptable' (cf. 12:1-2); pleasing to God.
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of reference
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δόκιμοςapproved/esteemedNominativepredicate adjectiveδόκιμος: 'approved, tested, esteemed' (cf. δοκιμάζω, 12:2; δοκιμή, 5:4); commended also in others' eyes.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἀνθρώποιςmen/peopleDativedat. of referenceἄνθρωπος: 'person' (cf. 12:17-18); approved by people — a good witness.
19
ἄρα οὖν τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης διώκωμεν καὶ τὰ τῆς οἰκοδομῆς τῆς εἰς ἀλλήλους·
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual edification.
The positive program: chase after the things that build peace and that build one another up.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἄραsoinferential particleἄρα οὖν: 'so then' (cf. v.12; 5:18).
οὖνtheninferential conjunction
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantival)
τῆςofGenitivearticle
εἰρήνηςpeaceGenitivegenitive (the things of peace)εἰρήνη: 'peace' (cf. v.17); 'the things that make for peace.'
διώκωμενlet us pursuePres Act Subj 1 Pl · διώκωhortatory subjunctive→ imperatival (continuous)διώκω: 'pursue, chase after' (cf. 9:30-31; 12:13); actively seek peace and edification (some MSS read indicative 'we pursue').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantival)
τῆςofGenitivearticle
οἰκοδομῆςbuilding up/edificationGenitivegenitive (the things of building up)οἰκοδομή: 'building up, edification' (οἶκος + δέμω, 'build'; cf. 15:2); the constructive strengthening of others.
τῆςthe (which is)Genitivearticle (attributive)
εἰςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction)
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativereciprocal pronoun (object of εἰς)ἀλλήλων: 'one another' (cf. v.13); the mutual upbuilding of the body.
20
μὴ ἕνεκεν βρώματος κατάλυε τὸ ἔργον τοῦ θεοῦ. πάντα μὲν καθαρά, ἀλλὰ κακὸν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τῷ διὰ προσκόμματος ἐσθίοντι.
Do not, for the sake of food, tear down the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.
The principle pressed: do not demolish God's work in a brother over a meal — all food is clean, yet eating that trips a brother is evil.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ imperative)
ἕνεκενfor the sake ofpreposition + genitive (cause)ἕνεκεν: 'on account of, for the sake of' (cf. 8:36); over a mere matter of food.
βρώματοςfoodGenitiveobject of ἕνεκενβρῶμα: 'food' (cf. v.15).
κατάλυεtear down/destroyPres Act Impv 2 Sg · καταλύωmain verb (prohibition)→ imperatival (continuous prohibition)καταλύω: 'demolish, tear down, destroy' (κατά + λύω; the opposite of οἰκοδομέω, v.19); do not undo God's building work.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἔργονworkAccusativedirect objectἔργον: 'work' (cf. 2:6); God's work — the brother, or the church being built.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive genitive
πάνταall thingsNominativesubject (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all'; all foods.
μὲνindeedparticle (μέν … ἀλλά)
καθαράcleanNominativepredicate adjectiveκαθαρός: 'clean, pure' (cf. ἀκαθαρσία, 1:24; opposite of κοινός, v.14); all food is ritually clean — Paul again with the strong.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
κακὸνwrong/evilNominativepredicate adjective (verbless)κακός: 'bad, evil' (cf. v.20; 12:17); the eating that trips a brother is evil — though the food is clean.
τῷfor theDativearticle
ἀνθρώπῳpersonDativedat. of disadvantageἄνθρωπος: 'person'; the one who eats so as to cause stumbling.
τῷthe (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
διὰthrough/withpreposition + genitive (attendant circumstance)διὰ προσκόμματος: 'with offense, so as to cause stumbling.'
προσκόμματοςstumbling/offenseGenitiveobject of διάπρόσκομμα: 'stumbling, offense' (cf. v.13; 9:32-33); eating that puts an obstacle before a brother.
ἐσθίοντιwho eatsPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · ἐσθίωsubstantival participle (apposition)→ customary (characteristic)ἐσθίω: 'eat'; the one whose eating offends.
21
καλὸν τὸ μὴ φαγεῖν κρέα μηδὲ πιεῖν οἶνον μηδὲ ἐν ᾧ ὁ ἀδελφός σου προσκόπτει.
It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
The voluntary self-limitation love embraces: it is good to forgo meat, wine, or anything else, if it would trip your brother.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καλὸνgoodNominativepredicate adjective (verbless)καλός: 'good, fine, noble' (cf. 7:16; 14:16); the noble course — self-denial for the brother.
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizes inf.)
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ inf.)
φαγεῖνto eatAor Act Inf · ἐσθίωarticular infinitive (subject)→ constative aoristἐσθίω (aor. φαγεῖν): 'eat'; abstaining from meat.
κρέαmeatAccusativedirect objectκρέας: 'meat, flesh'; the specific food in view (perhaps idol-meat).
μηδὲnornegative conjunction
πιεῖνto drinkAor Act Inf · πίνωarticular infinitive (subject)→ constative aoristπίνω: 'drink' (cf. ποτίζω, 12:20); abstaining from wine.
οἶνονwineAccusativedirect objectοἶνος: 'wine' (cf. 'oeno-'); the second item to forgo if needful.
μηδὲnornegative conjunction
ἐνin/bypreposition + dative (means/circumstance)ἐν ᾧ: 'in/by which, anything whereby' — generalizing beyond food and drink.
ᾧwhichDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἀδελφόςbrotherNominativesubjectἀδελφός: 'brother' (cf. v.10, 13, 15).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship
προσκόπτειstumblesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · προσκόπτωmain verb (rel. clause)→ gnomic presentπροσκόπτω: 'strike against, stumble, take offense' (cf. 9:32; πρόσκομμα, v.13, 20); whatever trips the brother is to be avoided.
22
σὺ πίστιν ἣν ἔχεις κατὰ σεαυτὸν ἔχε ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ. μακάριος ὁ μὴ κρίνων ἑαυτὸν ἐν ᾧ δοκιμάζει·
The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves.
A word to the strong: hold your liberating conviction privately before God; happy is the one whose conscience does not condemn what he allows himself.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: 'you' — addressing the strong, who has the 'faith' of liberty.
πίστινfaithAccusativedirect object (fronted)πίστις: 'faith' (cf. v.1, 23); here the conviction of liberty — to be held, not paraded.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔχεις)
ἔχειςyou havePres Act Indic 2 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative present
κατὰaccording to/in regard topreposition + accusative (reference)κατὰ σεαυτόν: 'with respect to yourself, to yourself' — privately.
σεαυτὸνyourselfAccusativereflexive (object of κατά)
ἔχεhave/keepPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (command)→ imperatival (continuous)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; keep your conviction — exercise it before God, not as a weapon over the weak.
ἐνώπιονbefore/in the sight ofpreposition + genitive (position)ἐνώπιον: 'before, in the sight of' (cf. 3:20; 12:17); held before God, who alone fully judges.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιον
μακάριοςblessedNominativepredicate adjectiveμακάριος: 'blessed, happy' (cf. 4:7-8); the beatitude — happy is the clear conscience.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
κρίνωνwho judges/condemnsPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κρίνωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary (characteristic)κρίνω: 'judge, condemn' (cf. v.3-4); the one whose conscience does not condemn him.
ἑαυτὸνhimselfAccusativereflexive (direct object)
ἐνin/bypreposition + dative (reference)
ᾧwhatDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)
δοκιμάζειhe approvesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δοκιμάζωmain verb (rel. clause)→ customary presentδοκιμάζω: 'test and approve, sanction' (cf. 12:2; 14:22); what he has examined and allows himself — a clear conscience in his choices.
23
ὁ δὲ διακρινόμενος ἐὰν φάγῃ κατακέκριται, ὅτι οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως· πᾶν δὲ ὃ οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως ἁμαρτία ἐστίν.
But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
A word to the doubter and a governing maxim: to act against one's own doubts is to be self-condemned — for anything not done out of faith is sin.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
διακρινόμενοςwho doubts/waversPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · διακρίνωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary (characteristic)διακρίνω (mid.): 'be divided in oneself, waver, doubt' (cf. 4:20; 14:1); the one of two minds about eating.
ἐὰνifconjunction (third-class condition)
φάγῃhe eatsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐσθίωsubjunctive (protasis)→ constative aoristἐσθίω (aor. φάγῃ): 'eat'; eating while doubting.
κατακέκριταιis condemnedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · κατακρίνωmain verb→ intensive perfect (standing verdict)κατακρίνω: 'condemn' (cf. 8:1, 3; 14:22); self-condemned — for he acts against his own conscience.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐκfrom/out ofpreposition + genitive (source)
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)πίστις: 'faith' (cf. v.1, 22); the eating did not proceed from settled conviction — hence sin for him.
πᾶνeverything/allNominativesubject (substantival adj.)πᾶς: 'all'; the universal maxim.
δὲandconnective conjunction
ὃthat whichNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐκfrom/out ofpreposition + genitive (source)
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)πίστις: 'faith'; the principle — action not springing from faith/conviction is sinful.
ἁμαρτίαsinNominativepredicate nominativeἁμαρτία: 'sin' (cf. 3:9; 6:23); whatever violates conscience-faith is sin — the chapter's sober closing principle.
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ gnomic present