Romans 14:13-15
13 “Therefore let’s not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this: not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way. 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to the one who thinks something is unclean, to that person it is unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother or sister is hurt, you are no longer walking in accordance with love. Do not destroy with your choice of food that person for whom Christ died.”
Therefore let’s not judge: Love does not judge fellow believers who are weak in the faith or who hold different opinions. We are also not to cause fellow Christians to stumble in their weaknesses. If we know of a weakness or struggle with a fellow Christian, we are not to exploit it simply because we are free from the struggle. Likewise, if someone regards a certain type of food as unclean, we are not to eat it in front of them simply because we are free to do so. This is not loving towards all for whom Christ died.
Nothing is unclean: Paul is not arguing that sin is okay. The context is eating and drinking in the kingdom of God and issues of debate amongst weak and strong Christians.
Food: When it comes to unity and friendship with fellow Christians, we are to always choose the person over debates regarding food, drink and other external things. This is because the kingdom of God is not about these things (Romans 14:16).
