John Calvin Commentary Romans 14:23

"But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin." — Romans 14:23 (ASV)

But he who is undecided, etc. He very aptly expresses in one word the character of that mind which vacillates and is uncertain about what should be done; for he who is undecided fluctuates and, amid his various deliberations, is held in suspense by uncertainty. Since, then, the main thing in a good work is the persuasion of a mind conscious of being right before God—a calm assurance, so to speak—nothing is more opposed to the acceptance of our works than vacillation. Oh, if only this truth—that nothing should be attempted except what the mind feels assured is acceptable to God—were fixed in people's minds, then they would not cause such an uproar as they often do now, nor waver, nor blindly rush onward wherever their own imagination might lead them. For if our way of living is to be confined to this moderation, that no one should touch a morsel of meat with a doubting conscience, how much greater caution should be exercised in the greatest things?

And whatever is not from faith, etc. The reason for this condemnation is that every work, however splendid and excellent in appearance, is counted as sin unless it is founded on a right conscience. For God does not regard the outward display but the inward obedience of the heart; by this alone are our works estimated. Besides, how can that be obedience when anyone undertakes what he is not persuaded is approved by God? Therefore, where such a doubt exists, the individual is justly charged with prevarication, for he proceeds in opposition to the testimony of his own conscience.

The word faith is to be understood here as a fixed persuasion of the mind or, so to speak, a firm assurance—and not just any kind of assurance, but one that is derived from the truth of God. Hence, doubt or uncertainty corrupts all our actions, however specious they may otherwise be.

Now, since a devout mind can never rest with certainty in anything but the word of God, all false modes of worship consequently vanish, along with any works that originate in the minds of men; for while everything that is not from faith is condemned, whatever is not supported and approved by God’s word is also rejected.

At the same time, it is by no means sufficient that what we do is approved by the word of God, unless the mind, relying on this persuasion, cheerfully prepares itself to do its work. Hence, the first principle for right conduct, so that our minds may never fluctuate, is this: that we, depending on God’s word, confidently proceed wherever it may call us.

CHAPTER 15