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

Romans 14:22 speaks to the individual Christian's private conviction regarding morally indifferent matters. It emphasizes that one's personal belief and understanding concerning disputable practices, such as diet or observance of special days, should be held sincerely before God, rather than being imposed on others. True spiritual blessedness (happiness) is found when a believer acts according to their personal conscience, approving of their own actions without self-condemnation. It distinguishes between a private faith (conviction) which gives liberty and a public practice that might become a stumbling block.

Romans 14 22 Context

Romans Chapter 14 addresses the sensitive issue of adiaphora, or "disputable matters," among believers in the Roman church. These included dietary laws (eating meat vs. being a vegetarian) and the observance of certain days (Jewish festivals vs. general Christian practice). Paul is mediating between the "strong" believers, who understood their freedom in Christ to partake in all foods and considered all days alike, and the "weak" believers, whose consciences still held them to traditional or specific ascetic practices. The overall theme is unity and love within the church, emphasizing that while individual convictions are valid before God, they should not lead to judgment of others or cause a fellow believer to stumble. Verse 22 specifically urges believers to hold their convictions privately before God, avoiding condemnation of themselves when they act according to what they sincerely approve. The historical context reflects a mixed congregation of Jewish and Gentile Christians, where cultural and religious backgrounds clashed over practices not essential for salvation.

Romans 14 22 Word analysis

• The faith (ἡ πίστις, hē pistis) which you have (ἔχεις, echeis): This "faith" refers not to saving faith (though rooted in it), but specifically to a conviction or persuasion regarding those "disputable matters" mentioned throughout the chapter (foods, days). It implies an intellectual and moral conviction reached by a believer. The strong Christian has a conviction of liberty, while the weak has a conviction of restraint.
• have (ἔχε, eche) as your own (κατὰ σεαυτόν, kata seauton) conviction: The verb "have" is imperative, urging them to keep or hold this personal conviction. "As your own" means "privately," "to yourself." This stresses the deeply personal nature of this conviction, not something to be publicly displayed, debated, or imposed on others. It emphasizes the internal forum of conscience.
• before (ἐνώπιον, enōpion) God (Θεοῦ, Theou): This crucial phrase highlights the true audience and judge of one's conviction. It implies personal accountability directly to God, bypassing the judgment of other believers. This removes the basis for disputes, as the standard is God's own assessment, not human opinion. It establishes a spiritual principle: true liberty and genuine conscience are exercised in God's presence.
• Happy (μακάριος, makarios) is he who does not condemn (μὴ κρίνων, mē krinōn) himself (ἑαυτόν, heauton): "Happy" is a beatitude, signifying spiritual blessedness or inner well-being. This blessing comes from a clear conscience. "Condemn himself" refers to self-condemnation, a feeling of guilt or shame. It is blessed not to be conflicted or guilty over one's own actions.
• in what he approves (ἐν ᾧ δοκιμάζει, en hō dokimazei): "Approves" (dokimazei) implies testing and discerning what is acceptable or permissible. It suggests a thorough moral evaluation and conviction. A person is happy when their actions are consistent with their sincerely held belief, thus their conscience is clear and free from condemnation. It highlights integrity: living out what one believes is right, without hypocrisy.

Romans 14 22 Bonus section

The concept of adiaphora (indifferent matters) in this chapter and verse is crucial. These are actions or practices that are not inherently sinful or righteous in themselves according to Scripture, but rather fall into the realm of personal preference, conscience, or cultural sensitivity. Paul emphasizes that while one might be "strong" and know that all things are permissible (within God's moral law), the higher law of love must always prevail over personal rights and liberties. This involves sacrificing personal liberty for the spiritual well-being of fellow believers. The goal is not just to be right, but to be loving and edifying, seeking the good of the community (Rom 14:19). The integrity encouraged by the verse – not condemning oneself in what one approves – fosters inner peace and avoids hypocrisy. It also subtly rebukes a form of spiritual pride where "strong" believers might flaunt their freedom without regard for others, or "weak" believers might impose their scrupulosity as a universal standard.

Romans 14 22 Commentary

Romans 14:22 is a foundational verse for understanding Christian liberty and personal conscience within the community of faith. It commands the "strong" believer, who exercises freedom in disputable matters, to hold that freedom as a private conviction, personally accountable to God, rather than using it to provoke or judge others. This private conviction allows the strong to operate in freedom without being arrogant or stumbling a weaker brother.

The verse's profound blessing – "Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves" – speaks to the deep satisfaction and peace that comes from a clear conscience. It means that once a believer has prayerfully and thoughtfully determined a course of action to be permissible before God, they should act on it with full conviction, experiencing no self-reproach. This joy of an unburdened conscience, guided by the Holy Spirit and one's personal understanding of scripture, is superior to imposing one's will or conviction on another, which could lead to division and stumbling. The emphasis is on integrity between conviction and action, solely within the presence and evaluation of God.

• Example: A Christian may personally believe that enjoying an occasional glass of wine is permissible (approves it), and does so with a clear conscience, thanking God for the provision (does not condemn himself), because his conviction is held "before God." He doesn't need to publicize or boast about his liberty, especially if it might cause a former alcoholic, now a weak believer, to stumble.
• Example: Another Christian might choose to observe a personal day of fasting (approves it) for spiritual growth. They are happy in this practice because it aligns with their conviction and devotion "before God." They do not condemn themselves for doing it, nor do they condemn others for not participating.