UTN uW Translation Notes:

Romans 14 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

7. Instructions for living as Christians ([12:1–15:13](../12/01.md)) * How to act toward God ([12:1–2](../12/01.md)) * How to serve the church ([12:3–8](../12/03.md)) * How to act toward other Christians ([12:9–13](../12/09.md)) * How to act toward unbelievers ([12:14–21](../12/14.md)) * How to act toward government ([13:1–7](../13/01.md)) * How to act toward other people ([13:8–10](../13/08.md)) * Act as if the end is near ([13:11–14](../13/11.md)) * Do not judge other Christians ([14:1–12](../14/01.md)) * Do not tempt other Christians to sin ([14:13–23](../14/13.md))Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with [14:11](../14/11.md) of this chapter, which Paul quotes from the Old Testament.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Weak in faith

Paul teaches that Christians can have real faith, and yet at the same time be “weak in faith” regarding some situations. This describes Christians whose faith is immature and who feel guilty about doing certain things that God did not forbid. (See: faith)

Dietary restrictions

In the law of Moses, God forbade the Jews from eating the meat of some animals which God said were unclean. However, since Christians have been “made dead to the law” ([7:4](../07/04.md)), they are free to eat what they want. The Roman church to which Paul wrote this letter was made up of both Jews and Gentiles. Some of the Jewish believers were offended by the non-Jewish believers eating foods that God had previously forbidden in the law of Moses. The non-Jewish believers were also judging the Jewish believers for not eating those foods. Paul uses this situation to teach that Christians must use their freedom in a way that honors the Lord and shows love to other believers. (See: sin)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Inclusive language

In this chapter the pronouns “we” and “us” refer inclusively to all believers in Christ. Your language may require you to mark these forms. (See: figs-exclusive)