Romans 14:22 - Printer Friendly

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.

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.

NASB: The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is the one who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

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

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.

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

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

Paul has spoken very clearly to those Christians with a strong faith. These are those whose conscience allows them to freely enjoy what was once restricted for God's people in the law of Moses. He has agreed with them that nothing is unclean for those who are in Christ (1 Timothy 4:4). There is no sin in eating meat or drinking wine, then.

However, those of weaker faith who do not feel free to eat or drink the same things must not violate their conscience. They must continue to not consume those things until they are truly convinced that they are free in Christ to do so. Otherwise, they will be condemned for that sin, as the following verse will say.

That's why Paul has said to the stronger Christians that they must be willing to stop eating and drinking what they are otherwise free to consume if it will lead their weaker brothers and sisters to join in with them and sin against their own convictions.

In practical terms, this doesn't have to mean that a Christian with the freedom to do so will never eat or drink those things again (1 Corinthians 10:23–29). Perhaps they will not serve meat, or alcohol, at community dinners, or in their home when guests include religious vegetarians or non-consumers. Perhaps they will enjoy those freedoms only when they are sure not to cause anyone to stumble by their example.

In any case, Paul now writes that they should keep this faith that they are free to eat and drink these things between themselves and God. He is not saying they should keep their faith in Christ to themselves! In fact, Paul writes, these stronger-faith Christians should also listen to their consciences. If they do, they will be blessed to have no reason to condemn themselves for publicly approving something that may cause another person to stumble.

Romans 14:13–23 instructs strong-faith Christians who understand that all food and drink is clean for those who are in Christ to be willing to set aside indulging their freedom for the sake of weaker-faith Christians. Those who cannot partake in good conscience—even though they are free in Christ to do so—should not do so. To violate their conviction is sin. It is also wrong for strong-faith Christians to tempt weaker-faith brothers and sisters into sin by insisting on exercising their own right to eat and drink those things.

In Romans 14, Paul tackles the question of how Christians with different convictions about disputable matters should treat each other in the church. Strong-faith Christians who feel free to eat and drink what was formerly forbidden under the law of Moses should not flaunt their freedoms in front of weaker-faith Christians who are not convinced it is right to participate in those things. Neither group should judge the other. Those strong in their faith should rather yield than lead those weaker in faith to violate their conscience, which is a sin.

Paul turns from the black-and-white instructions about light and darkness in Romans 13 to the issue of disputable matters with the potential to divide the church. Paul instructs those who feel free to participate in activities formally forbidden under the law not to flaunt their freedom in front of those who, by conscience, still believe those actions to be wrong. Those strong-faith Christians should be willing to set aside their freedom to keep from leading their weaker brothers and sisters into sin by violating their convictions. Paul addresses this topic with additional comments in 1 Corinthians chapter 10.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.