Romans 14:19So then, let us follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up.
The setting
Rome, ~57 AD. Paul concluding his argument about unity, knowing these letters were read aloud to arguing house churches...
The emotion here: urgently pleading, like a father begging fighting children to stop
The original word
diōkō (διώκω) — to pursue intensely, like hunting prey or chasing a criminal
Why it matters
Roman houses had thin walls - neighbors could hear church arguments through shared apartment walls
Read with care
What most readers miss in Romans 14:19
Paul uses hunting language - pursue peace as aggressively as you'd chase an enemy
Common misconceptionPeople think this means 'keep the peace by avoiding conflict.' But Paul uses aggressive hunting language - actively pursue peace like you're chasing something valuable that's trying to escape.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Romans 14:19
Bible Genome reading
Romans 14:19 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Romans 14:19 comes from the book of Romans, written during the early_church period. These words are attributed to Paul. The dominant emotion in this verse is growing, with a comfort power of 50% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the teaching genre of biblical literature. Key themes include peace, edification, unity. Notable phrases: follow after things which make for peace; build one another up. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same growing
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
— Proverbs 22:6
“So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
— Romans 10:17
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
— John 3:30
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2
“He believed in Yahweh; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness.”
— Genesis 15:6
Your reflection
What does Romans 14:19 mean to you, today?
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