Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Romans 14:14. It's a really important and often misunderstood passage about judgment and forgiveness. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse essentially says that everyone is inherently worthy of God’s love and grace, but those who judge others harshly are not worthy of that love. It’s a warning against condemning people based on their perceived flaws or mistakes. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus…” – This means the author (whoever wrote this) has been guided by God’s teachings and understands what's right. It’s a confident statement. “[There is] nothing unclean of itself…” - This part acknowledges that everyone has some degree of worthiness, even if they aren’t perfect. We all have flaws, mistakes, and imperfections. “But to him who esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean.” – This is the core of the message. If someone judges another person as being "unclean" (meaning flawed or deserving of condemnation), then that judge isn’t worthy of God's love and acceptance. It implies that judging others is a rejection of God’s grace. In short, it’s saying: Don’t look down on anyone because they make mistakes. Focus on loving and forgiving others as God loves you. Why is this important? It addresses the issue of hypocrisy – people who appear righteous but are actually judging others. It’s about humility and recognizing that everyone needs forgiveness. Does it mean we should forgive everyone? Not necessarily. The verse emphasizes judgment rather than forgiveness . We're not supposed to forgive someone for their mistakes, but we shouldn’t judge them based on their flaws. To help me explain it even better and answer any specific questions you might have, could you tell me: Are you curious about a particular aspect of the verse? (e.g., its historical context?) Do you want to know how this relates to our own lives or behavior?