King James Version

What Does Romans 14:22 Mean?

Romans 14:22 in the King James Version says “Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” — study this verse from Romans chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Romans 14:22 · KJV

Faith

Context

20

For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

21

It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

22

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

23

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. doubteth: or, discerneth and putteth a difference between meats damned: or, condemned, or liable to punishment

Read Romans 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. 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?
  2. What does it mean to be 'blessed' (<em>makarios</em>) by not condemning yourself in what you practice—how do you cultivate clear conscience?
  3. How do you balance educating an uninformed conscience with respecting a currently held (though immature) conscience?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
σὺ1 of 17

“thou”

G4771

thou

πίστιν2 of 17

“faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ἔχε3 of 17

“Hast”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

κατὰ4 of 17

“it to”

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

σαυτὸν5 of 17

“thyself”

G4572

of (with, to) thyself

ἔχε6 of 17

“Hast”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἐνώπιον7 of 17

“before”

G1799

in the face of (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ8 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ9 of 17

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

μακάριος10 of 17

“Happy”

G3107

supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off

ὁ11 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μὴ12 of 17

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

κρίνων13 of 17

“is he that condemneth”

G2919

by implication, to try, condemn, punish

ἑαυτὸν14 of 17

“himself”

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ἐν15 of 17

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ᾧ16 of 17

“that thing which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

δοκιμάζει·17 of 17

“he alloweth”

G1381

to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Romans. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Romans 14:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Romans 14:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 John 3:21Romans 14:5James 3:13Galatians 6:1Romans 14:23Romans 14:2

Test Your Knowledge

Romans 14 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterRomans Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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