Romans 14 22

Romans 14:22 kjv

Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

Romans 14:22 nkjv

Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

Romans 14:22 niv

So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.

Romans 14:22 esv

The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.

Romans 14:22 nlt

You may believe there's nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don't feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.

Romans 14 verses

Romans 14 22 Meaning

This verse is a powerful assertion about the internal conviction and faith of a believer. It states that if someone is confident that their belief or action is right before God, they should not be condemned for it. The focus is on individual conscience and the liberty of faith, provided it is exercised with integrity before God.

Romans 14 22 Context

Romans chapter 14 deals with the issue of disputable matters and weaker brothers in the faith. Paul addresses the Roman believers' differences in opinion regarding practices like dietary laws and observance of certain days. He emphasizes unity, love, and consideration for those with a less mature understanding, so that no one causes another to stumble. This verse serves as a personal defense for an individual whose conscience is clear regarding a practice.

Romans 14 22 Word Analysis

• He has: This signifies possession of a conviction.
• condemned: Transliteration: katakrino (katakrinō). Meaning: to pass an unfavorable judgment upon, to condemn, to blame, to convict. This relates to being judged as wrong, either by others or internally.
• himself: Refers to the individual believer acting as their own judge based on their conscience.
• who: Introduces a subordinate clause describing the person.
• distinguishes / discerns: Transliteration: diakrinō (diakrinō). Meaning: to distinguish, discern, decide, to make a distinction, to judge. It implies making a considered judgment about what is permissible or not.
• day: Refers to a specific day, likely one of the festival days or Sabbath days mentioned in the context of the chapter.
• regarding: Indicates the subject of the discernment.
• a day: A specific appointed time.
• above another: Comparing one day with another, deeming one more significant or set apart than others, as per certain interpretations of Jewish law or custom.
• or: Connects two distinct possibilities for discernment.
• regards / makes no distinction: Transliteration: diakrinō (diakrinō). Same as above, but here the meaning is the absence of making a distinction.
• every: Denotes all instances or inclusiveness.
• day / alike: Refers to treating all days the same, not assigning special religious significance to particular days.
• alike: To the same degree or in the same manner.
• Let him / he that: This construction signifies a statement of allowance or permission for a person in this state.
• regards / so thinks: Transliteration: phroneō (phroneō). Meaning: to mind, to set one's mind on, to think, to feel. It implies holding a particular opinion or conviction.
• of: Indicates possession or connection.
• the: Definite article.
• day: The specific day being considered.
• any / all: Every.
• that / a particular (implied): Refers back to the day in question.
• day: The day again, underscoring the subject.
• the / its (implied): Belonging to the day.
• purpose: Transliteration: kairōs (kairōs) or hēmera tina (hēmera tina) with intent. The idea is about the significance or meaning attached to the day.
• Let him: Expresses permission or allowance.
• do: To perform an action.
• so: In this manner, referring to the previously stated thought.

Words-Group By Words-Group Analysis

• He who distringuishes one day above another: This group describes those who continue to observe or attach religious significance to certain days based on their understanding of the law or tradition, believing these days are specially appointed by God. This is contrasted with a less discerning approach.
• or regards every day alike: This group represents believers who, in their understanding of the new covenant, no longer see a distinction in days as having the same binding religious requirement. They might consider all days permissible for normal activity or fasting according to their conscience, rather than imposed divine mandates.
• Let him do so: This is a crucial permissive statement. Paul allows for this differing practice, emphasizing that as long as the action is born out of genuine conviction and not out of disrespect for others, the individual's practice is valid before God.
• for whom / with regard to a particular day: This links the individual's practice back to their internal conviction or theological reasoning for observing that day.
• Let him do so: This reiterates the permission for those who do not distinguish days, affirming their stance if it is rooted in a sincere belief.
• for the Lord: This phrase grounds their action in their relationship with Christ and his teachings.
• who distinguishes / regards: This connects back to the primary verbs of discerning or not discerning days, clarifying that these distinct approaches are legitimate within their relationship with the Lord.
• And who does not regard (same idea)

The core of the verse is the internal conviction, expressed as "what he thinks in his own mind" or "what he regards." If a person genuinely believes their practice is pleasing to God, they should not be condemned, nor should they condemn others based on these personal convictions regarding the observance or non-observance of particular days.

Romans 14 22 Bonus Section

This verse touches upon the liberty granted by Christ in the New Testament, moving beyond the strict observance of Old Testament ceremonial laws, particularly concerning days. While the Ten Commandments (including the Sabbath) are foundational, specific calendar days and their observance were part of the ceremonial law that Christ fulfilled. The emphasis shifts from external ritual to internal transformation and conscious living in the Spirit. This is consistent with other passages about freedom from the "bondage of the law" and the focus on love as the fulfilling of the law. It’s about living out one’s faith genuinely before God, allowing for diversity in practices that don’t violate core biblical truth or harm the unity of the body of Christ.

Romans 14 22 Commentary

Paul gives individuals freedom to follow their conscience in matters of disputable practices, like observing specific days. If a believer conscientiously believes it is right to observe a certain day as holy, or to treat all days the same, their personal conviction is what matters before God. The critical factor is the motivation from faith and a desire to honor the Lord. The condemnation spoken of is internal self-condemnation or condemnation by others over matters not explicitly forbidden or commanded. The verse highlights the importance of liberty in Christ and the need to respect the private conscience of fellow believers.

Optional: Practical Usage Examples

• A believer feels led by God to abstain from certain foods on a specific day for spiritual discipline. As long as this is out of genuine conviction and not legalism, Paul’s teaching suggests this should not be condemned by others.
• Another believer feels that, under the new covenant, all days are the Lord's and sees no need to make a special distinction regarding a particular festival day from the Old Testament. They can observe all days alike with joy.
• The key is that these are personal convictions, not divisive doctrines or requirements imposed upon others.