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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hast {G2192} thou {G4771} faith {G4102}? have {G2192} it to {G2596} thyself {G4572} before {G1799} God {G2316}. Happy {G3107} is he that condemneth {G2919} not {G3361} himself {G1438} in {G1722} that thing which {G3739} he alloweth {G1381}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The belief you hold about such things, keep between yourself and God. Happy the person who is free of self-condemnation when he approves of something!

Berean Standard Bible

Keep your belief about such matters between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.

American Standard Version

The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 14:22 encapsulates Paul's profound counsel for believers to maintain their personal convictions regarding non-essential practices privately before God, emphasizing the blessedness of an individual whose conscience is clear and self-approving in actions they deem permissible. This verse serves as a foundational principle for navigating Christian liberty without imposing one's beliefs on others or acting against one's own internal moral compass, thereby fostering peace, integrity, and unity within the community of faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 14 opens with Paul addressing the reception of "the one who is weak in faith" (Romans 14:1) concerning "disputable matters" (Romans 14:1). The immediate context involves debates over dietary laws (eating meat vs. vegetarianism) and the observance of specific days (Romans 14:2-6). Paul establishes that both the "strong" (those who understand their liberty in Christ) and the "weak" (those with a more scrupulous conscience) are accountable to the Lord (Romans 14:7-9). He explicitly warns against judging or despising fellow believers over these non-salvific issues, reminding them that all will stand before the judgment seat of God (Romans 14:10-12). Verse 22 builds directly on the preceding admonition to "no longer pass judgment on one another" (Romans 14:13), shifting the focus from judging others to the individual's internal integrity before God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church in Rome was a diverse community, comprising both Jewish and Gentile converts. Jewish Christians often maintained adherence to Old Testament dietary laws and Sabbath observances, while Gentile believers, freed from such Mosaic regulations, sometimes struggled with the implications of their newfound liberty, especially concerning meat sacrificed to idols. This tension created potential divisions, as some "strong" believers might flaunt their freedom, inadvertently causing "weak" believers to stumble by violating their own consciences. Paul addresses this specific socio-religious dynamic, providing principles that transcend the immediate issues, aiming to preserve unity and love within the nascent Christian community in a pagan Roman society where such practices were commonplace.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to the broader themes of **Christian Liberty**, emphasizing that freedom in Christ is not absolute but is to be exercised responsibly, with love for others. It deeply explores the **Integrity of Conscience**, highlighting that a believer's actions should align with their internal conviction, as acting against conscience is sin for that individual, even if the act itself is morally neutral (as seen in [Romans 14:23](/romans/14-23 "Romans 14:23 - Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin")). The principle of **Unity and Mutual Edification** is paramount, as Paul consistently prioritizes the spiritual well-being of the community over individual rights, urging believers not to "put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother" (as stated in [Romans 14:13](/romans/14-13 "Romans 14:13 - Do not put a stumbling block")). Furthermore, the verse underscores **Accountability to God**, reminding believers that their ultimate standard is not human judgment but their standing "before God."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** (G4102) While _pístis_ often refers to saving faith in Christ, in this context, it denotes a personal conviction, persuasion, or settled belief concerning a specific practice or area of Christian liberty. It refers to the internal assurance or understanding an individual has regarding what is permissible for them before God, rather than a general theological belief.
* **Happy (Greek, _makários'_):** (G3107) This word signifies a state of supreme blessedness, fortune, or inner well-being that comes from divine favor. It describes the profound contentment and peace experienced by one whose conscience is clear and whose actions align with their convictions, free from self-condemnation or guilt.
* **Alloweth (Greek, _dokimázō'_):** (G1381) This term means "to test, prove, or approve." In this verse, it implies that which one has personally examined, tested, and found acceptable or permissible according to their own conscience and understanding before God. It suggests a process of discernment and internal validation, leading to a conclusion that an action is not sinful for the individual performing it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hast thou faith? have [it] to thyself before God."**: This rhetorical question and subsequent imperative address the individual believer directly. "Faith" here refers to one's personal conviction or settled persuasion regarding a disputable matter. The command "have it to thyself before God" means to keep this conviction as a private matter between oneself and God. It implies that one's assurance of liberty should not be paraded or used in a way that might cause a weaker brother to stumble or feel condemned. The phrase "before God" emphasizes that the ultimate arbiter of one's conscience is God, not human opinion or judgment.
* **"Happy [is] he that condemneth not himself"**: This declares a blessed state for the individual whose actions are consistent with their internal convictions. The Greek word for "happy" (_makários_) denotes a profound inner contentment and spiritual well-being. To "condemn not himself" means to act without inner conflict, guilt, or self-reproach. It speaks to the integrity of conscience, where one's conduct aligns with their personal understanding of God's will for them in non-essential areas.
* **"in that thing which he alloweth."**: This clause specifies the arena of self-condemnation: "that thing which he alloweth." The word "alloweth" (_dokimázō_) signifies that which one has personally examined, discerned, and approved as permissible. Therefore, blessedness comes to the one who, having personally determined an action to be permissible, performs it without any internal doubt or self-judgment, thereby maintaining a clear conscience before God.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey his message effectively. The initial phrase, **Rhetorical Question** ("Hast thou faith?"), immediately engages the reader, prompting self-reflection on their personal convictions. This is followed by a direct **Apostrophe**, as Paul addresses the individual believer ("thou"), making the counsel highly personal and applicable. The structure of the verse itself functions as an **Aphorism** or a concise statement of principle, offering a profound truth about the blessedness of a clear conscience. There is also a strong element of **Emphasis** on the internal and private nature of one's convictions ("to thyself before God"), contrasting with the external judgment that Paul has been warning against throughout the chapter. The use of **Antithesis** is also subtle but present, contrasting the blessedness of self-approval with the implied misery or sin of self-condemnation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 14:22 is a profound statement on the nature of Christian liberty and the sanctity of individual conscience within the corporate body of Christ. It posits that true spiritual well-being and blessedness stem from living in integrity with one's God-given convictions, particularly in areas not explicitly commanded or forbidden by Scripture. The verse underscores that while believers are free in Christ, this freedom is not a license for self-indulgence or a cause for division. Instead, it is a call to responsible living, where personal convictions are held with humility and respect for others, with the ultimate accountability being to God alone. This principle is vital for maintaining unity and love in a diverse community, preventing judgmentalism and promoting mutual edification over personal preferences.

* [1 Corinthians 8:9](/1_corinthians/8-9 "1 Corinthians 8:9 - Your liberty must not become a stumbling block")
* [James 4:17](/james/4-17 "James 4:17 - Knowing the good and not doing it is sin")
* [Romans 14:5](/romans/14-5 "Romans 14:5 - Let each be fully convinced in his own mind")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 14:22 provides timeless wisdom for navigating the complexities of Christian living in a world of diverse opinions and practices. It challenges us to cultivate a robust and informed conscience, one that is sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and grounded in biblical truth, rather than swayed by external pressures or the opinions of others. The verse encourages a deep, personal walk with God where our convictions are forged in His presence, leading to an inner peace that comes from integrity. In practical terms, this means we should not impose our personal liberties or scruples on others, nor should we allow others' opinions to compel us to violate our own conscience. Instead, we are called to exercise grace, humility, and love, prioritizing the spiritual well-being and unity of the body of Christ above our own preferences, always seeking to live in a way that honors God and builds up our brothers and sisters.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are some "disputable matters" in contemporary Christianity where personal convictions often lead to division?**
* **How can I cultivate a more robust and biblically informed conscience regarding my personal liberties?**
* **In what ways might I be unintentionally causing a "weaker" brother or sister to stumble by the way I exercise my freedom?**
* **How can I hold my convictions "to myself before God" while still engaging in loving dialogue with those who differ?**

### FAQ

**What does "Hast thou faith? have [it] to thyself before God" truly mean?**

Answer: This phrase means that if you have a strong conviction or assurance (faith) about the permissibility of a certain practice (like eating certain foods or observing certain days), you should keep that conviction as a private matter between yourself and God. It's about personal integrity and accountability to God, rather than publicly flaunting your liberty in a way that might cause a fellow believer with a more sensitive conscience to feel condemned or to act against their own convictions. Paul is advocating for humility and consideration over the display of personal freedom, especially in non-essential matters, as seen throughout [Romans 14](/romans/14 "Romans 14 - Disputable Matters and Christian Liberty").

**Does "condemneth not himself" imply that acting against one's conscience is always sin?**

Answer: Yes, in the context of Romans 14, acting against one's own conscience, even in a matter that is otherwise morally neutral, is considered sin for that individual. The "happy" or "blessed" person is one whose actions align with their internal conviction, free from self-reproach. Conversely, if a person doubts the permissibility of an action and proceeds anyway, they "condemn themselves." Paul explicitly states in the very next verse, "[whatever does not proceed from faith is sin](/romans/14-23 "Romans 14:23 - Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin")" (Romans 14:23), reinforcing that a clear conscience is paramount.

**How does this verse relate to judging others in the church?**

Answer: This verse is intrinsically linked to the broader theme of not judging others, which Paul introduces earlier in the chapter (e.g., [Romans 14:10](/romans/14-10 "Romans 14:10 - Why do you pass judgment on your brother?")). By encouraging believers to hold their convictions privately before God, Paul redirects the focus from external judgment of others to internal integrity. If you are secure in your own conscience before God, you have no need to judge or despise another's conscience, nor to cause them to stumble. Your personal freedom is for your own walk with God, not a weapon to wield against others, as further elaborated in [Romans 14:13](/romans/14-13 "Romans 14:13 - Do not put a stumbling block").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 14:22, while addressing practical issues of Christian liberty, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ Himself perfectly exemplified the principle of living in complete integrity with God's will, always acting in perfect obedience and never condemning Himself, even unto death on the cross (as described in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")). His life demonstrated the ultimate "faith" or conviction in God's plan, which He held "to Himself before God" (see [John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus always does what pleases the Father")). Furthermore, Christ's sacrifice on the cross is the very foundation of our freedom from legalistic burdens and the basis for our clear conscience before God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Our Conscience")). He is the one who "takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), thereby enabling us to stand "happy" or blessed, without self-condemnation, when we live by faith in Him. Our ability to exercise liberty responsibly, to respect the consciences of others, and to prioritize unity over personal preference, ultimately flows from the love and humility modeled by Christ, who did not please Himself but sought the good of others ([Romans 15:3](/romans/15-3 "Romans 15:3 - Christ did not please himself")). Thus, the blessedness of a clear conscience and the call to gracious living are deeply rooted in our union with Christ and His liberating work.

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

1 John 3:21

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God.

Romans 14:5

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

James 3:13

¶ Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Galatians 6:1

¶ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Romans 14:23

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin.

Romans 14:14

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean.

Romans 14:2

For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.