Definition: But if thy brother be grieved with [thy] meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Romans 14:15 – it’s a really important one about how we treat others and our responsibility to love them. Here's the explanation in simpler terms: The Core Message: This verse is all about compassion and kindness , but with a crucial caveat. It says that if your brother is upset or suffering because of something you eat, don’t make it worse. Instead, treat him with love and understanding. Let's unpack it piece by piece: "But if thy brother be grieved with [thy] meat..." – This means if your brother is upset or suffering because of something you eat. It focuses on their feelings, not yours. It’s about their pain and discomfort. "...now walkest thou not charitably." – This is the key part. "Charitable" means kind, loving, forgiving, and supportive. You aren't being generous or helpful; you’re being unkind . It means you are not showing compassion. "...destroy not him with thy meat..." – This is a warning against taking someone's pain or suffering personally. Don't act like your brother’s problem is a reflection of your own worth, happiness, or even your own feelings. Don't deliberately cause them harm or sadness through your actions. "...for whom Christ died." – This is the really important part. It connects to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Jesus died for all people . This verse says that because of his death, we are called to love and care for others just as he loved us. It's saying that our love and kindness are a reflection of his ultimate act of love for humanity. In short: This verse encourages us to show compassion and understanding towards others, especially when they are suffering. However, we don’t have the right to cause them pain or make their problems worse through our actions. We should be kind and supportive, but always remember that Jesus died for us. Think of it like this: If your brother is feeling sad because a cake tastes bad, you shouldn't eat the whole cake to make him feel better! Instead, you should offer him comfort or support in a way that makes him feel better. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Give you some real-life examples of this principle?