Romans 14:22

Amplified Bible

The faith which you have [that gives you freedom of choice], have as your own conviction before God [just keep it between yourself and God, seeking His will]. Happy is he who has no reason to condemn himself for what he approves.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
You should keep your beliefs about these things a secret between yourself and God. It is a blessing to be able to do what you think is right without feeling guilty.

Revised Standard Version
The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God; happy is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Hast thou fayth? have it with thy selfe before god. Happy is he yt condempneth not him selfe in that thinge which he aloweth.

Hebrew Names Version
Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who doesn't judge himself in that which he approves.

International Standard Version
As for the faith you do have, have it as your own conviction before God. How blessed is the person who has no reason to condemn himself because of what he approves!1 John 3:21;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
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.

New Century Version
Your beliefs about these things should be kept secret between you and God. People are happy if they can do what they think is right without feeling guilty.

Update Bible Version
The faith which you have, you have to yourself before God. Happy is he that does not judge himself in that which he approves.

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

English Standard Version
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.

World English Bible
Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who doesn't judge himself in that which he approves.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

Weymouth's New Testament
As for you and your faith, keep your faith to yourself in the presence of God. The man is to be congratulated who does not pronounce judgement on himself in what his actions sanction.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Thou hast feith anentis thi silf, haue thou bifore God. Blessid is he that demeth not hym silf in that thing that he preueth.

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

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.

Contemporary English Version
What you believe about these things should be kept between you and God. You are fortunate, if your actions don't make you have doubts.

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.

Bible in Basic English
The faith which you have, have it to yourself before God. Happy is the man who is not judged by that to which he gives approval.

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!

Darby Translation
Hast *thou* faith? have [it] to thyself before God. Blessed [is] he who does not judge himself in what he allows.

Etheridge Translation
Hast thou confidence ? In thyself retain it before Aloha. Blessed is he who condemneth [fn] not himself in what he distinguisheth.

Murdock Translation
Thou art one in whom there is faith; keep it to thyself, before God. Blessed is he, who doth not condemn himself, in that thing which he alloweth.

King James Version (1611)
Hast thou faith? haue it to thy selfe before God. Happie is he that condemneth not himselfe in that thing which hee alloweth.

New Living Translation
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.

New Life Bible
Keep the faith you have between yourself and God. A man is happy if he knows he is doing right.

New Revised Standard
The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Hast thou faith? haue it with thy selfe before God: blessed is hee that condemneth not himselfe in that thing which he aloweth.

George Lamsa Translation
You who have a certain belief, keep it to yourself, before God. Blessed is he who does not condemn himself by doing those things which he believes to be wrong.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
The faith which thou hast, have to thyself before God: happy, he that bringeth not judgment upon himself by that which he approveth;

Douay-Rheims Bible
Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Blessed is he that condemneth not himself in that which he alloweth.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Hast thou fayth? Haue it with thy selfe before God. Happy is he that condempneth not hym selfe in the thyng which he aloweth.

Good News Translation
Keep what you believe about this matter, then, between yourself and God. Happy are those who do not feel guilty when they do something they judge is right!

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

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

Lexham English Bible
The faith that you have, have with respect to yourself before God. Blessed is the one who does not pass judgment on himself by what he approves.

Literal Translation
Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Blessed is the one not condemning himself in what he approves.

Young's Literal Translation
Thou hast faith! to thyself have [it] before God; happy is he who is not judging himself in what he doth approve,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Hast thou faith, haue it with yi selfe before God Happye is he, that codemneth not him selfe in yt thinge which he aloweth.

Mace New Testament (1729)
keep the persuasion you have, to your own conscience. blessed is he that approves himself to God, without making any difference about meats:

THE MESSAGE
Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong.

New English Translation
The faith you have, keep to yourself before God. Blessed is the one who does not judge himself by what he approves.

New King James Version
Do you have faith? [fn] Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

Simplified Cowboy Version
You can do that later on your own as long as you don't go overboard with either, but keep it between yourself and God. Don't feel guilty about doing something you feel is right as long as it doesn't harm others in your vicinity.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

Legacy Standard Bible
The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed is he who does not judge himself in what he approves.

Contextual Overview

¹As for the one whose faith is weak, accept him [into your fellowship], but not for [the purpose of] quarreling over his opinions. ²One man's faith permits him to eat everything, while the weak believer eats only vegetables [to avoid eating ritually unclean meat or something previously considered unclean]. ³The one who eats [everything] is not to look down on the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat must not criticize or pass judgment on the one who eats [everything], for God has accepted him. ⁴Who are you to judge the servant of another? Before his own master he stands [approved] or falls [out of favor]. And he [who serves the Master—the Lord] will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. ⁵One person regards one day as better [or more important] than another, while another regards every day [the same as any other]. Let everyone be fully convinced (assured, satisfied) in his own mind. ⁶He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord. He who eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while he who abstains, abstains for the Lord and gives thanks to God. ⁷None of us lives for himself [for his own benefit, but for the Lord], and none of us dies for himself [but for the Lord]. ⁸If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. ⁹For Christ died and lived again for this reason, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. ¹⁰But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you again, why do you look down on your [believing] brother or regard him with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God [who alone is judge].

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

thou: Romans 14:2, Romans 14:5, Romans 14:14, Romans 14:23, Galatians 6:1, James 3:13

Happy: Romans 7:15, Romans 7:24, Acts 24:16, 2 Corinthians 1:12, 1 John 3:21

Reciprocal: Genesis 38:24 - let her Romans 2:6 - General 1 Corinthians 8:1 - touching

Cross-References

Genesis 14:5
In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the [three] kings who were with him attacked and subdued the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim,

Genesis 14:6
and the Horites in their mountainous country of Seir, as far as El-paran, which is on the border of the wilderness.

Genesis 14:19
And Melchizedek blessed Abram and said, "Blessed (joyful, favored) be Abram by God Most High, Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth;

Genesis 14:20
And blessed, praised, and glorified be God Most High, Who has given your enemies into your hand." And Abram gave him a tenth of all [the treasure he had taken in battle].

Genesis 14:23
that I would not take anything that is yours, from a thread to a sandal strap, so you could not say, 'I [the King of Sodom] have made Abram rich.'

Genesis 17:1
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; Walk [habitually] before Me [with integrity, knowing that you are always in My presence], and be blameless and complete [in obedience to Me].

Genesis 21:33
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD [in prayer], the Eternal God.

Exodus 6:8
'I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel); and I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD [you have the promise of My changeless omnipotence and faithfulness].'"

Deuteronomy 32:40
'Indeed, I lift up My hand to heaven, And say (swear an oath), as I live forever,

Judges 11:35
And when he saw her, he tore his clothes [in grief] and said, "Alas, my daughter! You have brought me great disaster, and you are the cause of ruin to me; for I have made a vow to the LORD, and I cannot take it back."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God,.... Which is to be understood, not of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the doctrines of the Gospel; for a man that has such faith given him, ought not to keep it in his own breast, but to declare it to others; he ought to make a public visible profession of it, before many witnesses; it becomes him to tell the church of God what great things the Lord has done for him; and as he believes with the heart, so he ought to make confession with the mouth unto salvation; but this faith only designs a full persuasion in a man's own mind, about the free and lawful use of things indifferent, the subject the apostle is upon; see Romans 14:5; and his advice on this head is, to keep this faith and persuasion in a man's own breast, and not divulge it to others, where there is danger of scandal and offence: he does not advise such to alter their minds, change their sentiments, or cast away their faith, which was right and agreeable to his own, but to have it, hold and keep it, though, within themselves; he would not have them openly declare it, and publicly make use of it, since it might be grieving and distressing to weak minds; but in private, and where there was no danger of giving offence, they might both speak of it, and use it; and if they could not, should satisfy themselves that God, who sees in secret, knows they have this faith, and sees their use of it, though others do not, for from him they have it; so the Ethiopic version reads it, and "if thou hast faith with thyself, thou art secure before God, from whom thou hast obtained it"; and should be thankful to him for it, and use it in such a manner as makes most for his glory, and the peace of his church since to him they must give an account another day: some copies and versions read without an interrogation, thou hast faith; and others, "thou, the faith which thou hast, have it to thyself", c. so the Alexandrian copy and the Syriac version.

Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth or "approves of"; that is, it is well for that man who observes no difference of meats, if either he does not act contrary to his own conscience, and so condemns himself in what he allows himself in; or exposes himself to the censure, judgment, and condemnation of others, in doing that which he approves of as lawful, and is so, but unlawful when done to the offence of others: some understand this as spoken to the weak believer, signifying that he is in the right, who, through example, and the force of the sensual appetite, is not prevailed upon to allow himself to eat, contrary to his own conscience, and whereby he would be self-condemned; but as the strong believer is addressed in the beginning of the verse, I choose to think he is intended in this part of it; and the rather, because the weak believer is taken notice of in the next verse, with a peculiar view to this very thing.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Hast thou faith? - The word “faith” here refers only to the subject under discussion - to the subject of meats, drinks, etc. Do you believe that it is right to eat all kinds of food, etc. The apostle had admitted that this was the true doctrine; but he maintains that it should be so held as not to give offence.

Have it to thyself - Do not obtrude your faith or opinion on others. Be satisfied with cherishing the opinion, and acting on it in private, without bringing it forward to produce disturbance in the church.

Before God - Where God only is the witness. God sees your sincerity, and will approve your opinion. That opinion cherish and act on, yet so as not to give offence, and to produce disturbance in the church. God sees your sincerity; he sees that you are right; and you will not offend him. Your brethren do “not” see that you are right, and they will be offended.

Happy is he ... - This state of mind, the apostle says, is one that is attended with peace and happiness; and this is a “further” reason why they should indulge their opinion in private, without obtruding it on others. They were conscious of doing right, and that consciousness was attended with peace. This fact he states in the form of a universal proposition, as applicable not only to “this” case, but to “all” cases; compare 1 John 3:21.

Condemneth not himself - Whose conscience does not reprove him.

In that which he alloweth - Which he “approves,” or which he “does.” Who has a clear conscience in his opinions and conduct. Many people indulge in practices which their consciences condemn, many in practices of which they are in doubt. But the way to be happy is to have a “clear conscience” in what we do; or in other words, if we have “doubts” about a course of conduct, it is not safe to indulge in that course, but it should be at once abandoned. Many people are engaged in “business” about which they have many doubts; many Christians are in doubt about certain courses of life. But they can have “no doubt” about the propriety of abstaining from them. They who are engaged in the slave-trade; or they who are engaged in the manufacture or sale of ardent spirits; or they who frequent the theater or the ball-room, or who run the round of fashionable amusements, if professing Christians, must often be troubled with “many” doubts about the propriety of their manner of life. But they can have no doubt about the propriety of an “opposite” course. Perhaps a single inquiry would settle all debate in regard to these things: “Did anyone ever become a slave-dealer, or a dealer in ardent spirits, or go to the theater, for engage in scenes of splendid amusements, with any belief that he was imitating the Lord Jesus Christ, or with any desire to honor him or his religion?” But one answer would be given to this question; and in view of it, how striking is the remark of Paul, “Happy is he that condemneth not himself in what he alloweth.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Romans 14:22. Hast thou faith? — The term faith seems to signify in this place a full persuasion in a man's mind that he is right, that what he does is lawful, and has the approbation of God and his conscience. Dr. Taylor has a judicious note on this passage. "There is no necessity," says he, " for reading the first clause interrogatively; and it seems to be more agreeable to the structure of the Greek to render it, Thou hast faith; as if he had said: 'I own thou hast a right persuasion.' Farther, there is an anadiplosis in εχεις, and εχε the first simply signifies thou hast, the latter, hold fast. Thou hast a right persuasion concerning thy Christian liberty; and I advise thee to hold that persuasion steadfastly, with respect to thyself in the sight of God. εχω have, has frequently this emphatical signification. See Matthew 25:29, c."

Happy is he that condemneth not, &c.] That man only can enjoy peace of conscience who acts according to the full persuasion which God has given him of the lawfulness of his conduct: whereas he must be miserable who allows himself in the practice of any thing for which his conscience upbraids and accuses him. This is a most excellent maxim, and every genuine Christian should be careful to try every part of his conduct by it. If a man have not peace in his own bosom, he cannot be happy and no man can have peace who sins against his conscience. If a man's passions or appetite allow or instigate him to a particular thing, let him take good heed that his conscience approve what his passions allow, and that he live not the subject of continual self-condemnation and reproach. Even the man who has the too scrupulous conscience had better, in such matters as are in question, obey its erroneous dictates than violate this moral feeling, and live only to condemn the actions he is constantly performing.