Romans 14:16

KJV

Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

KJV (with Strong's)

Let {G987} not {G3361} then {G3767} your {G5216} good {G18} be evil spoken of {G987}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Do not let what you know to be good, be spoken of as bad;

Berean Standard Bible

Do not allow what you consider good, then, to be spoken of as evil.

American Standard Version

Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 14:16 serves as a crucial ethical directive within Paul's discourse on Christian liberty, urging believers to exercise their freedom in Christ with such wisdom and love that their legitimate "good" actions do not become a source of reproach or scandal, thereby bringing disrepute upon the Gospel or the Christian community. It emphasizes that while certain practices may be permissible, their impact on others and on the broader witness of the faith must always be carefully considered to prevent any maligning of the kingdom of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 14 opens with an exhortation to "receive one who is weak in faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things" [Romans 14:1](/romans/14-1 "Romans 14:1 - Receiving the Weak in Faith"). Paul addresses internal church divisions stemming from "disputable matters," particularly dietary laws and the observance of special days, which were not central to salvation but caused friction between "strong" believers (who understood their freedom in Christ) and "weak" believers (who felt bound by scruples). Leading up to verse 16, Paul has already established that each individual should be fully convinced in their own mind [Romans 14:5](/romans/14-5 "Romans 14:5 - Each Convinced in His Own Mind") and that all actions should be done to the Lord [Romans 14:6-8](/romans/14-6-8 "Romans 14:6-8 - Living and Dying to the Lord"). He then warns against judging one another [Romans 14:10](/romans/14-10 "Romans 14:10 - We Shall All Stand Before the Judgment Seat of Christ") and, more directly, against causing a brother to stumble or be offended [Romans 14:13](/romans/14-13 "Romans 14:13 - Do Not Put a Stumbling Block"). The immediate preceding verse, [Romans 14:15](/romans/14-15 "Romans 14:15 - Do Not Destroy Your Brother Over Food"), provides the direct impetus for verse 16, stating that if a brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love, and you should not destroy him with your food, for whom Christ died. Verse 16 thus flows as a logical consequence: if your actions are causing harm or offense, then your legitimate freedom is being "evil spoken of."

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church in Rome was a diverse community, comprising both Jewish and Gentile converts. Jewish Christians often maintained dietary laws (e.g., abstaining from pork, eating only kosher meat) and observed specific days (e.g., Sabbath, Jewish festivals), while Gentile Christians, having come from pagan backgrounds, might have had no such restrictions and perhaps even ate meat that had been sacrificed to idols, which was a common practice in Roman society. This created tension and judgment within the nascent Christian community. Paul's letter to the Romans, particularly chapters 14 and 15, directly addresses these internal conflicts, emphasizing unity in Christ over adherence to non-essential practices. The cultural setting of Rome, with its diverse religious practices and social customs, made it crucial for Christians to maintain a good reputation and not give outsiders cause to malign their faith or their God, especially as they were a minority group often misunderstood and persecuted.

* **Key Themes:** Romans 14:16 contributes significantly to several major themes throughout Romans and Paul's broader theology. The primary theme is **Christian Liberty**, emphasizing that while believers are free from the law, this freedom is not absolute but must be exercised within the bounds of **Love** for one's neighbor, as articulated in [Romans 13:10](/romans/13-10 "Romans 13:10 - Love is the Fulfilling of the Law"). It underscores the importance of **Unity** within the body of Christ, urging believers to prioritize the spiritual well-being of others over personal preferences, thus avoiding **Stumbling Blocks** [Romans 14:13](/romans/14-13 "Romans 14:13 - Do Not Put a Stumbling Block"). Furthermore, the verse highlights the critical role of **Witness** and the **Reputation of the Gospel**. The actions of individual believers reflect on the entire Christian community and the message of Christ. Paul is concerned that the "good" of Christian freedom, if misused, could lead to the "kingdom of God" [Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy") being maligned. This theme resonates with Paul's instructions in [1 Corinthians 8:9-13](/1_corinthians/8-9-13 "1 Corinthians 8:9-13 - Liberty a Stumbling Block") regarding eating meat sacrificed to idols.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **good (Greek, _agathós'_):** This word (G18) signifies something inherently good, beneficial, or morally upright. In this context, "your good" refers to the legitimate freedom and practices that are permissible for a Christian, not sinful in themselves. It encompasses the Christian's liberty to eat all foods, or to not observe special days, as these are "good" in the sense that they are not inherently evil and are done in faith.
* **then (Greek, _oûn'_):** This particle (G3767) acts as a logical connector, meaning "therefore," "accordingly," or "so." It indicates that the instruction in verse 16 is a conclusion drawn from the preceding arguments, especially the warning in [Romans 14:15](/romans/14-15 "Romans 14:15 - Do Not Destroy Your Brother Over Food") about destroying a brother over food. Paul is saying, "Given what I've just said, therefore, let not..."
* **be evil spoken of (Greek, _blasphēméō'_):** This strong verb (G987) means "to vilify," "to defame," "to rail on," "to revile," or "to speak impiously." It is the root of the English word "blaspheme." When applied to "your good," it implies that the legitimate exercise of Christian liberty, if done without love or consideration, can lead to severe negative judgment, slander, or even blasphemy against the Christian faith, the Gospel, or God Himself. It's not merely a misunderstanding, but a bringing of disrepute and condemnation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let not then":** This phrase serves as a strong negative imperative, a prohibition. The "then" (οὖν) links this command to the preceding warnings, especially the one in [Romans 14:15](/romans/14-15 "Romans 14:15 - Do Not Destroy Your Brother Over Food") about not destroying a brother for whom Christ died over food. It implies, "Therefore, in light of these principles of love and consideration for others, do not allow this to happen."
* **"your good":** This refers to the Christian's legitimate freedom and practices that are permissible and morally neutral (e.g., eating certain foods, not observing certain days). It is "good" because it is not inherently sinful and is done with a clear conscience before God. It represents the sphere of Christian liberty.
* **"be evil spoken of":** This translates the Greek term *blasphēméō*, which carries a strong connotation of slander, reviling, or blasphemy. The passive voice indicates that the "good" is the object of this negative speech. The implication is that the way a believer exercises their freedom can cause outsiders, or even weaker believers, to speak ill of the Christian faith, to condemn the Gospel, or to malign the name of Christ, perceiving Christian liberty as a license for selfish or unloving behavior.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs **Antithesis** in this verse by juxtaposing "your good" with "evil spoken of." This highlights the paradoxical danger: something inherently permissible and good can, through improper exercise, lead to a negative outcome, specifically slander or defamation. There is also an element of **Metonymy**, where "your good" stands for the actions or practices that stem from Christian liberty. The verse functions as an **Imperative Mood** (though grammatically expressed as a negative subjunctive, it carries the force of a command), urging believers to actively prevent their freedom from being maligned. This strong warning underscores the **Emphasis** Paul places on the reputation of the Gospel and the unity of the church, demonstrating that the manner in which truth is lived out is as crucial as the truth itself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 14:16 powerfully articulates the theological principle that Christian liberty is always to be exercised within the framework of love and for the sake of the Gospel's reputation. It's not enough for an action to be permissible; it must also be beneficial and edifying to others, especially those weaker in faith. The ultimate concern is not personal rights or preferences, but the honor of Christ and the spiritual well-being of the community. This verse underscores that our individual freedoms are intertwined with our collective witness, serving as a practical outworking of the command to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to ensure that our lives commend, rather than condemn, the message of salvation.

* [1 Corinthians 8:9-13](/1_corinthians/8-9-13 "1 Corinthians 8:9-13 - Liberty a Stumbling Block")
* [Matthew 5:16](/matthew/5-16 "Matthew 5:16 - Let Your Light Shine")
* [Philippians 1:27](/philippians/1-27 "Philippians 1:27 - Conduct Worthy of the Gospel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 14:16 challenges believers to move beyond mere legality to a higher standard of love and wisdom in their daily lives. In a world fraught with diverse opinions and practices, this verse calls us to consider how our personal freedoms and choices are perceived by others, both within and outside the church. It prompts us to ask whether our actions, even if biblically permissible, are building up or tearing down, commending or compromising the Gospel. This is particularly relevant in areas where Christians hold differing convictions on "disputable matters" not explicitly forbidden by Scripture, such as political engagement, entertainment choices, social media presence, or lifestyle habits. The principle compels us to prioritize the spiritual growth and unity of the body of Christ, and the integrity of our collective witness to a watching world, over our individual preferences or rights. It's a call to self-sacrificial love, willing to forgo a personal liberty if its exercise would cause a brother to stumble or bring disrepute to the name of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "good" (i.e., legitimate freedoms or practices) in my life might be misunderstood or "evil spoken of" by others, particularly those weaker in faith or outside the church?**
* **How can I exercise my Christian liberty in a way that prioritizes love for my neighbor and the reputation of the Gospel, rather than merely asserting my rights?**
* **Are there areas where I might need to voluntarily restrict my freedom, not because my actions are sinful, but because they could cause a brother or sister to stumble or bring reproach upon Christ's name?**

### FAQ
**What does "your good" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: In Romans 14:16, "your good" refers to the legitimate Christian liberty and practices that are permissible and morally neutral in themselves. Paul is addressing "disputable matters" within the church, such as dietary choices (eating all foods, including those considered unclean by some) or the observance of specific days [Romans 14:2-6](/romans/14-2-6 "Romans 14:2-6 - Diet and Days"). These actions are "good" because they are not inherently sinful, and for those "strong in faith," they are done with a clear conscience before the Lord. The concern is that the exercise of this good, if done without love or consideration for others, could be misconstrued or lead to negative perceptions of the Christian faith.

**What does it mean for "your good" to "be evil spoken of"?**

Answer: The phrase "be evil spoken of" translates the Greek word *blasphēméō*, which is a strong term meaning to slander, revile, defame, or even blaspheme. It implies that the way a believer exercises their legitimate freedom could lead to others speaking ill of the Christian faith, the Gospel, or even God Himself. It's not just a misunderstanding, but a severe negative judgment or condemnation. For example, if a strong believer eats meat freely in front of a weaker believer who still struggles with such things, and this causes the weaker believer to stumble or question their faith, the "good" of Christian liberty has effectively been "evil spoken of" because it has led to a negative outcome that damages the witness of Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 14:16 finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect example in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While He possessed all divine prerogatives and freedoms, Christ continually laid aside His own rights and comforts for the sake of others and the glory of God. He did not insist on His "good" or His rightful position, but rather emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and humbling Himself even to the point of death on a cross [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility"). Jesus' entire ministry was characterized by self-sacrificial love, prioritizing the salvation and edification of humanity over His own convenience or earthly reputation. He was willing to be "evil spoken of" (slandered, reviled, blasphemed) by His enemies, not because He misused His freedom, but precisely because He perfectly embodied God's love and truth, which exposed the sin of the world. However, His followers are called to ensure that their *own* "good" does not lead to unnecessary reproach for the Gospel, but rather to emulate His love. Just as Christ commanded His disciples to love one another so that "all people will know that you are my disciples" [John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - A New Commandment"), so too does Romans 14:16 call us to exercise our freedom in a way that reflects Christ's self-giving love, thereby preserving the integrity and attractive power of the Gospel for a watching world, rather than causing it to be maligned. We are to walk in His steps [1_peter/2-21](/1_peter/2-21 "1 Peter 2:21 - Christ Suffered for Us").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 12:17

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

1 Thessalonians 5:22

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 Corinthians 10:29

Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another [man's] conscience?

1 Corinthians 10:30

For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

2 Corinthians 8:20

Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

2 Corinthians 8:21

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.