Romans 14:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"Blessed is he who does not condemn himself in what he tests." Again the Apostle strikes the weaker man and shows that the approval of conscience is enough for him. Even if another person does not see your blessedness, be content with your blessedness within yourself. Since the Apostle said, "Have it to yourself," lest you think this judgment small, he affirms that it is better for you than the whole world. Even if all accused you, yet if you do not condemn yourself and conscience does not reproach you, you are blessed. But the Apostle did not give such a judgment concerning everyone without exception. There are many who do not condemn themselves, though they are exceedingly sinful. These are the most miserable of all. But for the present the Apostle keeps to his subject.

In such a case, when others are scandalized by it, it is better for the man who eats meat or drinks wine not to do so. In himself, of course, he does not sin, since he does not regard this eating as sin. Yet he sins by scandal. But if someone is directly convinced that this or that eating is forbidden by God or by the Church, then he sins even in himself. He eats against conviction or against conscience. He also sins against others, leading them into scandal. Although this teaching of the Apostle about food referred most immediately to the first Roman Christians, who were in particular circumstances, in its essential point, that is, concerning non-condemnation, it concerns all Christians in general. We too must not be divided because of food, although the Church has now already clarified what may be eaten and what may not, when one must fast and when one may eat without prohibition. Likewise, as before, so now the man who eats and drinks contrary to the prohibition of the Church's law and conscience sins. Moreover, he sins both for himself and for others, leading them into scandal and giving occasion for condemnation. According to the word of Saint John Chrysostom, "It is not foods that make a man unclean, but the disposition with which he eats. Therefore, if you do not correct the disposition, all your labor is vain and harmful. It is one thing to consider something unclean, and another to eat what you consider unclean. In the latter case you sin doubly. By your dispute you strengthen the prejudice and compel him to eat what is unclean," that is, what is considered such against conscience. "Until you have persuaded him, do not compel him. On the contrary, abstain yourself for his sake, your brother's sake. Abstain not as from something unclean, but because he is scandalized, and he will love you more."

This is required of you by the duty of love for the brethren and by the commandment to turn everything to the glory of God, whether you eat or drink. No harm will come to you from this. According to your faith, to taste or not taste something is an indifferent matter.

You can abstain from a certain food with a peaceful conscience. Your conscience will not condemn you. On the contrary, it will approve you for making a certain sacrifice for the benefit of your brother.

In general, blessed is the one whose conscience does not condemn him for what he resolves upon, chooses, and does. "Tests," δοκιμάζει, properly means chooses with the approval of conscience.

Were there not some who loved to boast of their understanding, freed from every prejudice, and displayed it without restraint, for show? Saint Paul instructs them by this word. Chrysostom suspects this: "Here, it seems to me, the Apostle secretly hints at the vainglory of the one more perfect in faith.

"The meaning of his words is this: do you wish to prove to me that you are entirely correct and perfect? Do not prove it by displaying your faith, but be content with the testimony of conscience. Here he takes faith not in relation to dogmas, but to the subject under discussion.

"Concerning the one faith it is said: 'with the mouth confession is made unto salvation' (Rom 10:10). Likewise, 'Whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny him' (Mt 10:33). One faith shames you if you do not confess it. The other, this one concerning food, will shame you if you confess it, that is, display it by deed, at the wrong time.

"'Blessed is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.' He proves that the approval of conscience is enough for him. Although another does not see your blessedness, be satisfied with yourself, that is, with the testimony of your conscience.

"Since the Apostle said, 'have it to yourself,' lest you consider this tribunal unimportant, he affirms that it is better for you than the whole world. If everyone accuses you, but you do not condemn yourself and your conscience does not reproach you, you are blessed.

"But the Apostle did not give such a judgment about everyone without exception. There are many who do not condemn themselves and yet sin greatly. They are the most unfortunate of all. But the Apostle is dealing with the present subject, that is, he speaks concerning the distinction of foods."

Blessed Photius, in Oecumenius, resolves this objection: "What then, someone will say, must I also shun certain foods because of the weak man? Will this not mean that I have joined his side? Will I not become like him?

"Against this the Apostle says: not at all. For your faith remains pure and unharmed before God. But why do I say that this will not harm you and that your faith remains whole before God?

"You acquire blessedness for yourself if, for the benefit and salvation of your brother, you abstain from certain foods. 'Blessed,' he says, 'is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.' This means one who has a conscience bearing witness to him that he did not do wrong by acting thus and so.

"This applies not only when someone abstains from certain foods for the benefit of his brother. In every matter generally, if someone, after due testing, finds that this or that is good and does it, he will have the approving and blessing testimony of conscience.

"Such a man is blessed. He not only suffers no harm from what he chooses and does according to conscience."