---
title: "Romans 14:23"
description: "'Whatever is not from faith is sin.' The speaker argues incrementalism proceeds not from faith in God's word and power but from fear of man, desire for consensus, and unbelief that obedience will work. On that diagnosis, it fails the Romans 14:23 test."
type: "scripture"
book: "Romans"
chapter: 14
verses: "23"
translation: "NASB"
refutes: "Pro-life incrementalism"
affirms_abolition: true
themes:
  - "faith"
  - "unbelief"
  - "motive"
  - "incrementalism as sin"
source_url: "https://www.abhortion.org/scripture/romans-14-23.html"
---

# Romans 14:23

Book of Romans · Chapter 14

## The text

> But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
> — Romans 14:23, NASB

**The claim this verse counters:** "Incrementalism is a faithful, prudent approach."

## The argument

'Whatever is not from faith is sin.' The speaker argues incrementalism proceeds not from faith in God's word and power but from fear of man, desire for consensus, and unbelief that obedience will work. On that diagnosis, it fails the Romans 14:23 test.

## Context & notes

Used in V2 to argue the root of incrementalism is a lack of faith ('an unbelief problem'). The verse supplies the general principle: action not springing from faith is sin.

## Themes

- faith
- unbelief
- motive
- incrementalism as sin

## Discussion questions

1. If a strategy springs from fear of man or doubt that obedience 'will work,' how does Romans 14:23 assess it?
2. What would it look like to pursue abolition 'from faith'?

## Source transcript

Drawn from The Sin of Pro-Life Incrementalism (T. Russell Hunter) — 'whatever does not proceed from faith is sin... a lack of faith, a fear of man.'.

## Related

**Related scriptures:**

- [Proverbs 29:25](proverbs-29-25.md)
- [James 4:17](james-4-17.md)
- [2 Corinthians 4:2](2-corinthians-4-2.md)
- [Micah 6:8](micah-6-8.md)

**Related arguments:**

- [“Reasonable Christians can disagree on strategy; calling pro-life incrementalism 'sin' is…”](../arguments/def-incrementalism-not-sin.md)
- [“Public opinion won't support total, immediate abolition (especially criminalization), so…”](../arguments/def-culture-not-ready.md)
- [Obeying God is the most pragmatic path — disobedience 'to get results' does not work](../arguments/arg-obedience-pragmatic.md)

## Attribution

Verse text is quoted from the NASB. Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org