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

ROMANS 14:22KJV
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Romans 14:22 (KJV)

What does Romans 14:22 mean?

Romans 14:22 says that if you have faith or confidence about what is right for you in matters of conscience, you should keep it between yourself and God. The verse adds that a person is fortunate if they do not feel guilty about the choices they make in these personal matters.

Paul is writing to believers in Rome about disagreements over things like food and special days, urging them not to judge each other over personal convictions. Romans 14:22 encourages keeping your convictions private before God and not pressuring others, highlighting the blessing of a clear conscience when your actions do not cause you inner conflict.

The Greek behind Romans 14:22

  • πίστις (pistis, "faith"): This word often means trust or conviction, not just belief in general. Here, it refers to personal confidence about what is right or acceptable in these disputable matters.
  • κατακρίνω (katakrinō, "condemneth"): This word means to judge or find fault with oneself. Paul is pointing out the happiness of someone who does not feel self-condemnation over their choices.
  • δοκιμάζω (dokimazō, "alloweth"): This word means to approve after testing. It suggests that the person has thoughtfully considered and accepted their own actions, not just acted carelessly.

Why Romans 14:22 matters

  • Romans 14:22 clarifies that personal convictions about non-essential matters are between the individual and God, not for public debate or pressure.
  • The verse highlights the importance of a clear conscience, showing that peace comes from not feeling guilty about one's own choices when they have been thoughtfully considered.
  • This verse fits into Paul's larger message in Romans 14 about respecting differences among believers and not causing others to stumble over issues of personal conviction.

Where else these words appear

“alloweth” Greek G1381 · used in 21 verses

  • Luke 12:56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
  • 1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
  • Philippians 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

“thyself” Greek G4572 · used in 39 verses

  • Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
  • Luke 23:37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
  • Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

“Happy” Greek G3107 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
  • Romans 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

“before” Greek G1799 · used in 89 verses

  • Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
  • Acts 10:4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
  • Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.