Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 14:22

"The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth." — Romans 14:22 (ASV)

Hast thou faith? The word faith here refers only to the subject under discussion—to the subject of foods, drinks, and so on. Do you believe that it is right to eat all kinds of food, and other such things? The apostle had admitted that this was the true doctrine, but he maintains that it should be held in such a way as not to give offense.

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

Before God. This means where God alone is the witness. God sees your sincerity and will approve your opinion. Cherish that opinion and act on it, yet do so in such a way as not to give offense or cause disturbance in the church. God sees your sincerity; He sees that you are right, and you will not offend Him. Your brothers and sisters do not see that you are right, and they will be offended.

Happy is he, etc. This state of mind, the apostle says, is one that is accompanied by peace and happiness; and this is a further reason why they should hold their opinion in private, without imposing it on others. They were conscious of doing right, and that consciousness was accompanied by peace. The apostle states this fact in the form of a universal proposition, applicable not only to this case but to all cases (Compare to 1 John 3:21).

Condemneth not himself. This means one whose conscience does not reprove him.

In that thing which he alloweth. This refers to that which he approves, or which he does; it describes one who has a clear conscience in his opinions and conduct. Many people indulge in practices their consciences condemn, and many in practices about which they are in doubt. But the way to be happy is to have a clear conscience in what we do. In other words, if we have doubts about a course of conduct, it is not safe to pursue that course; it should be immediately 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. Those who are engaged in the slave trade, or in the manufacture or sale of strong alcoholic drinks, or who frequent the theater or the ballroom, or who pursue fashionable amusements, if they are professing Christians, MUST often be troubled with many doubts about the propriety of their way of life.

Perhaps a single question would settle all debate concerning these matters: Did anyone ever become a slave-dealer, or a dealer in strong alcoholic drinks, or go to the theater, or engage in splendid amusements, with any belief that he was imitating the Lord Jesus Christ, or with any desire to honor Him or His religion? But only one answer could be given to this question. In view of it, how striking is the remark of Paul: Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.