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.
Original Language Analysis
πίστιν
faith
G4102
πίστιν
faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
2 of 17
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
ἔχε
Hast
G2192
ἔχε
Hast
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
3 of 17
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
κατὰ
it to
G2596
κατὰ
it to
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
4 of 17
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἔχε
Hast
G2192
ἔχε
Hast
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
6 of 17
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 17
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
12 of 17
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
κρίνων
is he that condemneth
G2919
κρίνων
is he that condemneth
Strong's:
G2919
Word #:
13 of 17
by implication, to try, condemn, punish
ἑαυτὸν
himself
G1438
ἑαυτὸν
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
14 of 17
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
Cross References
1 John 3:21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.Romans 14:5One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.James 3:13Who 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 6:1Brethren, 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 14:23And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.Acts 24:16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.Romans 14:2For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.Romans 14:14I 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.2 Corinthians 1:12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.Romans 7:15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Historical Context
Paul's emphasis on conscience (syneidēsis, 2:15, 9:1, 13:5) shaped Christian moral theology. Conscience is internal moral witness, informed by Scripture and Spirit. Luther famously declared at Worms (1521), 'My conscience is captive to the Word of God...to go against conscience is neither right nor safe.' Violating conscience, even in objectively lawful action, is sin (v. 23). Yet conscience must be educated—the weak's conscience forbids what's actually permissible, requiring patient instruction. The goal: mature, informed, clear conscience acting from conviction, not coercion.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas do you have 'faith' (conviction) that others don't—and do you hold it 'before God' (<em>enōpion tou theou</em>) without imposing it on others?
- What does it mean to be 'blessed' (<em>makarios</em>) by not condemning yourself in what you practice—how do you cultivate clear conscience?
- How do you balance educating an uninformed conscience with respecting a currently held (though immature) conscience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God—Sy pistin ēn echeis kata seauton eche enōpion tou theou (σὺ πίστιν ἣν ἔχεις κατὰ σεαυτὸν ἔχε ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ). Pistin (πίστις, faith/conviction) here means personal persuasion about disputable matters (v. 5, 'fully persuaded in his own mind'). Kata seauton eche (have it to yourself) doesn't mean hide your convictions but don't weaponize them—don't impose your liberty on others or flaunt it destructively. Enōpion tou theou (ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ, before God) indicates private accountability. Your convictions answer to God, not public opinion.
Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth—Makarios ho mē krinōn heauton en hō dokimazei (μακάριος ὁ μὴ κρίνων ἑαυτὸν ἐν ᾧ δοκιμάζει). Makarios (μακάριος, blessed/happy) is beatitude language—true flourishing. Krinōn heauton (condemning himself) means self-accusation, violated conscience. Dokimazei (δοκιμάζω, approves/examines) refers to actions conscience permits. If you act with clear conscience, you're blessed—no internal conflict, guilt, or hypocrisy. Conversely, acting against conscience (even in objectively permissible things) produces misery.