Romans 14:22

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

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}.

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!

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

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

Romans 14:22 is a pivotal verse in Paul’s discourse on Christian liberty and conscience, particularly concerning "disputable matters" within the early church. It encourages believers to hold their personal convictions before God without imposing them on others or creating stumbling blocks.

Context

This verse is situated within a broader discussion in Romans chapter 14 regarding issues like dietary practices (eating meat vs. vegetables) and the observance of certain days. These were matters of personal conviction, not fundamental doctrines. Paul addresses the tension between "strong" believers, who understood their freedom in Christ, and "weak" believers, whose consciences were more scrupulous. The overarching principle is love and unity, emphasizing that believers should not judge or despise one another over such non-essential issues.

Key Themes

  • Personal Conviction: The phrase "Hast thou faith? have [it] to thyself before God" underscores that one's deeply held beliefs and convictions regarding permissible actions are primarily a private matter between the individual and God. It's about personal assurance and clarity of conscience, not public display or imposition on others.
  • Integrity of Conscience: "Happy [is] he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth." This highlights the importance of acting consistently with one's own conscience. A believer is blessed (Greek: makarios, meaning truly happy or fortunate) when they can perform an action they deem permissible without inner conflict, guilt, or self-condemnation. To act against one's own conscience, even if the act itself is outwardly neutral, is considered sin for that individual (as echoed in Romans 14:23).
  • Avoiding Judgment and Stumbling Blocks: While not explicitly stated in this verse, it implies the broader theme of not judging others or causing them to stumble. Your personal conviction allows you freedom, but that freedom should not lead you to cause a brother or sister to violate their own conscience, as discussed in Romans 14:13.

Linguistic Insights

The term "faith" (Greek: pistis) here refers not to saving faith in Christ, but rather to a personal conviction or persuasion concerning a particular practice or liberty. It speaks to the believer's inner assurance and understanding of what is permissible for them. The word "happy" is makarios, often translated as "blessed" or "fortunate," signifying a state of inner well-being and divine favor that comes from a clear conscience before God.

Practical Application

Romans 14:22 remains highly relevant for modern believers. It calls for:

  • Self-Examination: Encourages individuals to examine their own conscience before God regarding disputable matters, ensuring their actions align with their convictions.
  • Graciousness Towards Others: Promotes a spirit of tolerance and understanding within the Christian community, recognizing that not everyone shares the same convictions on non-essential issues. We are to respect the conscience of others, even if it differs from our own, remembering that we all stand before God (Romans 14:10).
  • Avoiding Hypocrisy: Challenges believers to live authentically, without allowing others' opinions to dictate actions that go against their own informed conscience. This principle is also evident in Paul's advice on Christian liberty in 1 Corinthians 8.
Ultimately, the verse teaches that true blessedness comes from living in integrity with one's God-given conscience, without condemning oneself and without creating unnecessary divisions within the body of Christ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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