Romans 14 16

Romans 14:16 kjv

Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Romans 14:16 nkjv

Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;

Romans 14:16 niv

Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.

Romans 14:16 esv

So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.

Romans 14:16 nlt

Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good.

Romans 14 verses

Romans 14 16 Meaning

The verse Romans 14:16, "Let not then your good be evil spoken of," serves as a direct admonition against allowing one's legitimate Christian liberties or actions, though inherently good and permissible in God's eyes, to be misunderstood, misrepresented, or maligned by others. It emphasizes that believers, particularly those with a strong understanding of their freedom in Christ, should exercise their "good" in such a way that it does not become a cause for others, whether weaker believers or unbelievers, to speak evil against the Gospel itself, or against the Christian way of life. It prioritizes the collective witness and reputation of the faith over individual preferences or rights in matters of disputable conscience.

Romans 14 16 Context

Romans chapter 14 addresses the sensitive issue of "disputable matters" within the Christian community, specifically concerning dietary restrictions and the observance of certain days. Paul classifies believers into "strong" (those who understand their liberty in Christ and are not bound by such external observances) and "weak" (those whose consciences are troubled by or feel bound to such practices). The overarching theme of the chapter is the imperative of Christian love, unity, and mutual acceptance despite differences in conscience. The strong are repeatedly urged not to cause the weak to stumble, to condemn them, or to despise them.

Verse 16 immediately follows Paul's caution in verse 15 about not grieving a brother over food, which would be "no longer walking in love," and not "destroying" him. The "good" refers to the legitimate freedom or the right understanding of truth that the "strong" possess (e.g., that all foods are clean, Rom 14:14). However, the exercise of this good, if it leads to the detriment of another believer or gives occasion for the unchurched to criticize or dismiss the Christian message, must be constrained by love. The historical context reflects a tension in the Roman church between Jewish Christians, who often maintained kosher laws, and Gentile Christians, who did not. Paul seeks to foster unity by advocating for consideration and self-sacrifice over insisting on individual rights, to protect the reputation of the Gospel in a diverse Roman society.

Romans 14 16 Word analysis

• Μὴ (mē) - "Let not": This is a strong negative particle, expressing a prohibition or warning. It signifies an imperative that something must not happen, indicating the gravity of the potential negative outcome.
• οὖν (oun) - "then / therefore": A conjunctive particle indicating a logical consequence or inference from what has just been stated. It connects this prohibition directly to the preceding discussion about grieving a brother, causing him to stumble, or destroying the work of God for the sake of food (Rom 14:15).
• βλασφημείσθω (blasphēmeisthō) - "be evil spoken of / be slandered / be blasphemed": This is an aorist passive imperative from the verb blasphēmeō. The term is strong, denoting not merely criticism or disapproval, but actively speaking against something in a way that slanders, maligns, or even blasphemes. When applied to God, it means to revile Him; here, applied to "the good," it implies bringing discredit upon the Gospel, Christian liberty, or the Christian way of life. The passive voice implies that this evil speaking comes from an external source, which believers should strive to prevent by their conduct.
• ὑμῶν (hymōn) - "your": This is the genitive plural pronoun, indicating possession. It refers to the believers in Rome whom Paul is addressing, specifically those who understand their liberty.
• τὸ (to) - "the": The definite article, pointing to a specific "good."
• ἀγαθόν (agathon) - "good": This neuter adjective, acting as a noun, refers to something intrinsically good, morally excellent, or beneficial. In this context, it primarily refers to the legitimate Christian liberty understood and practiced by the "strong" believers – the conviction that all foods are clean, that no day is inherently more sacred than another. It can also broadly refer to the Gospel itself, or the overall spiritual privileges and benefits of believers, which are fundamentally good. The paradox lies in how something inherently good can become the subject of evil speaking if handled unwisely.

Words-group analysis:

• Μὴ οὖν βλασφημείσθω: "Let not then be evil spoken of." This opening phrase sets a firm tone of warning. The emphasis is on prevention. The connection established by "then" (oun) clearly links the present action (avoiding the "evil speaking") with the previous discussion on caring for the weak and valuing the work of God above personal freedoms.
• ὑμῶν τὸ ἀγαθόν: "your good." This is the core subject of the prohibition. The "good" here isn't something morally ambiguous, but something that is indeed permissible and true according to the Gospel (e.g., freedom from dietary laws). However, this "good" is not an absolute right to be exercised without consideration for its impact on others or the wider reputation of the faith. The possession indicated by "your" underscores individual believer's responsibility in managing this "good."

Romans 14 16 Bonus section

The concept of "τὸ ἀγαθόν" (the good) in this verse is not about avoiding literal evil deeds, but about the inherent goodness of Christian liberty that arises from understanding God's grace and freedom from legalistic regulations. The challenge is in preventing this genuine spiritual good from being "βλασφημείσθω" (blasphemed or spoken against). This highlights a tension between truth and its perception. While truth should never be compromised, its presentation and practical application must be carefully managed to avoid unnecessary offense or misinterpretation. The potential for "blasphemy" implies a deeper danger than mere criticism; it suggests that unloving or insensitive behavior in exercising freedom can actually lead others to think ill of God Himself or His saving work. This underscores the missional dimension of Paul's teaching, as believers are called not just to personal righteousness but to embody a collective witness that adorns, rather than discredits, the doctrine of Christ.

Romans 14 16 Commentary

Romans 14:16 delivers a crucial ethical principle for Christian conduct: the exercise of legitimate Christian freedom ("your good") must always be tempered by love and concern for the Gospel's reputation. Paul acknowledges that believers possess certain liberties—truths that, in themselves, are "good" and divinely sanctioned. However, the way these liberties are expressed can inadvertently become a stumbling block or an occasion for non-believers, or weaker believers, to slander or dismiss the Christian message. This verse implies that Christian liberty, while true, is not an end in itself; rather, it should serve the higher goals of promoting unity, strengthening fellow believers, and glorifying God. The goal is to ensure that no behavior, even one based on sound theological understanding, leads to reproach against the name of Christ or His Church. This means foregoing personal rights when their exercise undermines spiritual fellowship or compromises the witness to a watching world, demonstrating a deep humility and love that prioritizes others' well-being and the integrity of the Gospel above individual gratification.

Practical examples:

• A believer's freedom to drink alcohol could be perceived negatively in a context where it causes a struggling brother to stumble, or where the culture outside views all Christians as hypocrites.
• Expressing opinions on controversial societal issues, while having a right to do so, might need to be moderated if it brings undue scorn upon the Church without effectively advancing the Gospel.