Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 14:18
For he that in these things serveth Christ [is] acceptable to God, and approved of men.
18. For he that in these things, &c.] The “ for ” indicates a connexion somewhat as follows: “the privileges of the Gospel are above all things spiritual: for the subjects of God’s evangelical kingdom approve themselves as loyal to their King, and worthy of their privileges in the eyes of men, not so much by insisting on ceremonial freedom, as by bringing the influence of their spiritual peace and joy to bear on their service of Christ.” “ In these things: ” another reading, not so well supported, is “ in this thing.” If adopted, the “ this ” must refer to the whole idea of spiritual privilege.
serveth ] The word bears a suppressed emphasis. The assertor of ceremonial liberty is reminded that he is the bondman of the Lord, precisely in virtue of his freedom from the doom of the law. See ch. 6.
acceptable to God ] As the servant who uses the Master’s talent in the Master’s business.
approved of men ] As standing the test of sincerity and reality. (The Gr. word suggests the idea of testing, assaying.)
Fact abundantly illustrates the Apostle’s words. The disciple who “in these things serveth Christ ” may or may not be popular with men around him; but he is quite sure, on the whole and in the long run, to be recognized as real. No doubt the “strong” Christian is implicitly warned that punctilious assertions of liberty are very likely to have the opposite result.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
In these things – In righteousness, peace, and joy.
Serveth Christ – Or obeys Christ, who has commanded them. He receives Christ as his master or teacher and does his will in regard to them. To do these things is to do honor to Christ, and to show the excellency of his religion.
Is acceptable to God – Whether he be converted from the Jews or the Gentiles.
And approved of men – That is, people will approve of such conduct; they will esteem it to be right, and to be in accordance with the spirit of Christianity. He does not say that the wicked world will love such a life, but it will commend itself to them as such a life as people ought to lead.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 18. For he that in these things] The man, whether Jew or Gentile, who in these things-righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, serveth Christ-acts according to his doctrine, is acceptable to God; for he has not only the form of godliness in thus serving Christ, but he has the power, the very spirit and essence of it, in having righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; and therefore the whole frame of his mind, as well as his acts, must be acceptable to God.-And approved of men; for although religion may be persecuted, yet the righteous man, who is continually labouring for the public good, will be generally esteemed. This was a very common form of speech among the Jews; that he who was a conscientious observer of the law, was pleasing to God and approved of men. See several examples in Schoettgen.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
This proves the foregoing assertion, that the kingdom of God consisteth in righteousness, peace, and joy, because he that serveth Christ in and by these things, is accepted of God, and approved of men; this cannot be affirmed of meat and drink, &c. When he says that the serving of Christ in these things is approved of men, he means of such as are godly, and of sound judgment; for of others they are often hated and reviled for the exercise of these very graces: and yet righteousness and peaceableness have oftentimes their praise from the wicked themselves: see 1Sa 2:26; Pro 3:4; Luk 2:52; Act 2:47.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
18. For he that in these things“inthis,” meaning this threefold life.
serveth ChristHereagain observe how, though we do these three things as a “kingdomof God,” yet it is “Christ” that weserve in so doing; the apostle passing here from God to Christ asnaturally as before from Christ to Godin a way to usinconceivable, if Christ had been viewed as a mere creature (compare2Co 8:21).
is acceptable to God, andapproved of menthese being the things which God delights in,and men are constrained to approve. (Compare Pro 3:4;Luk 2:52; Act 2:47;Act 19:20).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For he that in these things serveth Christ,…. That is, in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; he whose faith is an obedient one, and embraces these things, and from the heart obeys them; who seeks righteousness alone by Christ, and peace and pardon through his blood; who rejoices in Christ Jesus, and puts no trust in the flesh, in moral duties or ceremonial services; and who, from principles of grace, serves Christ in a way of righteousness, wherein he possesses true peace of conscience, and abundance of spiritual joy and comfort: the Alexandrian copy and some others, and the Vulgate Latin version, read, “in this thing”; as if it referred only to the right use of Christian liberty, about things indifferent: such an one
is acceptable to God; in Christ the beloved, in whom he believes, from whom he derives all his peace, joy, and comfort; and whom he serves in righteousness and holiness, and through whom also all his services are acceptable unto God:
and approved of men; of good men, of such that can discern things that differ, and approve those that are excellent; and even of bad men, for such who live honestly and uprightly, who cultivate peace and friendship among men, and carry themselves cheerfully and civilly to all men, cannot but be approved of by the generality of them, though they may dislike them on other accounts.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Herein ( ). “On the principle implied by these virtues” (Sanday and Headlam).
Approved of men ( ). “Acceptable to men.” Stands the test for men. See 1Cor 11:19; 2Cor 10:18; 2Tim 2:15.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1 ) “For he that in these things serveth Christ,” (ho gar en touto douleuon to Christo) “For the one who serves Christ in this manner,” or in these things a) In righteousness, Rom 12:1-2; and b) In peace, 1Th 5:13 and c) In joy of the Holy Ghost, Psa 16:11; reflecting union with Christ, thru the Spirit, Gal 5:22-25.
2) “Is acceptable to God,” (euarestos to thee) “is well-pleasing to God,” has Divine sanction in service he renders to God and his fellowman, 2Co 5:9; Rom 12:1. He is accepted whatever his views or scruples may be on eating meats etc.; Joh 12:26; Col 3:24; Eph 1:6.
3) “And approved of men,” (kai dokimos tois anthropois) “And approved by the masses, by men” at least by those who have discernment of what constitutes the spirit and principle of the kingdom of God. Sound Christian character, void of wrangling contention, receives even the world’s approval, 2Ti 2:15; Joh 13:34-35.
JEWISH APOLOGUE OF CHARITY
When Abraham sat at his tent door, according to his custom, waiting to entertain strangers, he espied an old man, stooping, and leaning on his staff, weary with age and travel, coming towards him, who was a hundred years of age. He received him kindly, washed his feet, provided supper, caused him to sit down; but observing that the old man ate and prayed not, nor begged for a blessing on his meat’ ask him why he did not worship the God of heaven? The old man told him that he worshipped the fire only and, and acknowledged no other god; at which answer, Abraham grew so zealously angry, that he thrust the old man out of his tent, and exposed him to all the evils of the night and an unguarded condition. When the old man was gone, God called to him, and ask him where the stranger was. He replied, “I thrust him away because he did not worship Thee.” God answered, “I have suffered him these hundred years, though he dishonored Me; and couldest thou not endure him for one night, when he gave thee no trouble?” Upon this, saith the story, Abraham fetched him back again, and gave him hospitable entertainment and wise instruction. Go thou and do likewise, and thy charity will be rewarded by the God of Abraham.
–Stanley
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
18. For he who in these things, etc. An argument drawn from the effect: for it is impossible, but that when any one is acceptable to God and approved by men, the kingdom of God fully prevails and flourishes in him: he, who with a quiet and peaceful conscience serves Christ in righteousness, renders himself approved by men as well as by God. Wherever then there is righteousness and peace and spiritual joy, there the kingdom of God is complete in all its parts: it does not then consist of material things. But he says, that man is acceptable to God, because he obeys his will; he testifies that he is approved by men, because they cannot do otherwise than bear testimony to that excellency which they see with their eyes: not that the ungodly always favor the children of God; nay, when there is no cause, they often pour forth against them many reproaches, and with forged calumnies defame the innocent, and in a word, turn into vices things rightly done, by putting on them a malignant construction. But Paul speaks here of honest judgment, blended with no moroseness, no hatred, no superstition.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(18) In these things.The more correct reading is, in this (way). The meaning, however, is the same.
Serveth Christ.Here the principle of unity which holds together different sides and manifestations of the Christian character is indicated.
Approved of men.So that He will not be evil spoken of, as the uncompromising legalist or anti-legalist is apt to be.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
18. In these things In the three traits of God’s kingdom in the heart just mentioned.
Serveth Christ In the triad of graces we observe a true universal morality, devoid of narrow ritualisms and dietetics; and yet we are truly serving Christ.
Approved of men The character and conduct of the man in whom the triad reigns really approve themselves to the consciences of men. The world may persecute because the person is specifically Christian; it may profess to despise his profession. But the true traits of the Christian character command the involuntary respect of men.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘For he who in this serves Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men.’
So the one who serves Christ in this way, by having a regard for the tender consciences of others, is well pleasing to God. And he is also approved of by men because he does not persuade people to act against their consciences.
Some see ‘in this’ as referring back to the righteousness, peace and joy which result from being under the Kingly Rule of God, indicating that this is what pleases God. But while that thought may be true, it would be to ignore the context, which continues to emphasise the need for us to be concerned about each other.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Rom 14:18 . Not an explanation, why he has mentioned by name these three particulars , as those in which the kingdom consists (Hofmann), but a confirmation of the contents of Rom 14:17 ; and how greatly must this confirmation have conduced to the recommendation and support of the precept . . . . of Rom 14:16 as established by Rom 14:17 !
] (see the critical notes) refers to the just mentioned three great moral elements. He who in these (not therefore possibly in and , and the like unspiritual things) serves Christ, etc. On with , denoting its moral life-sphere, comp. Rom 7:6 .
. . ] “testimonium, quod expresse adfirmat bona opera renatorum placere Deo,” Melanchthon.
.] approved by men; such is the relation according to its moral nature , a fact not annulled by abnormal manifestations, in which misapprehension, perversion of the moral judgment, and the like are at work. “Paulus hic de sincero judicio loquitur,” Calvin.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Ver. 18. Is acceptable to God ] And he is a happy man that can be acquitted by himself in private, in public by others, in both by God.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
18. ] The reading is too strongly supported to be rejected for the rec. , as is done by Thol. and De Wette, because the latter is the easier reading, and might refer to . . and . I have therefore adopted it. But I do not understand it (as Orig [122] , al.) of . It would be unnatural that a subordinate member of the former sentence, belonging only to , should be at once raised to be the emphatic one in this, and the three graces just emphatically mentioned, lost sight of. I believe to express the aggregate of the three, and to be equivalent to , as Baumg.-Crusius.
[122] Origen, b. 185, d. 254
. . ., as a man of peace and uprightness : , . , . Chrys. Hom. xxvi. p. 713.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Rom 14:18 . : “on the principle implied by these virtues” (Sanday and Headlam). One may serve Christ either eating or abstaining, but no one can serve Him whose conduct exhibits indifference to righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. : so that there can be no occasion given to any one to blaspheme. Cf. Rom 16:10 , 2Ti 2:15 , Jas 1:12 . A sound Christian character wins even the world’s approval.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
these things = this.
serveth. See Rom 6:6.
acceptable = well-pleasing. See Rom 12:1.
approved. Greek. dokimos. First of seven occ, always “Approved”, save Jam 1:12.
of = by.
men. App-123.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
18.] The reading is too strongly supported to be rejected for the rec. , as is done by Thol. and De Wette, because the latter is the easier reading, and might refer to . . and . I have therefore adopted it. But I do not understand it (as Orig[122], al.) of . It would be unnatural that a subordinate member of the former sentence, belonging only to , should be at once raised to be the emphatic one in this, and the three graces just emphatically mentioned, lost sight of. I believe to express the aggregate of the three, and to be equivalent to , as Baumg.-Crusius.
[122] Origen, b. 185, d. 254
. . ., as a man of peace and uprightness: , . , . Chrys. Hom. xxvi. p. 713.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Rom 14:18. , in these things) whether he eats or not; the Alex. and others, Lat. [Vulg.] have : in the singular has no antecedent, to which it can be made to refer. It may have arisen from its alliteration with , which follows.[150]–, acceptable-approved) He does that, by which he pleases God and approves himself to, and ought to be approved by, men: he is even approved by those, whom he has no desire to please.
[150] ABCD corrected later. Gfg Memph. Theb. Versions, Origen, have . Rec. Text is supported by the two Syr. Versions alone of ancient authorities in reading .-ED.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Rom 14:18
Rom 14:18
For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men.-He that serves God in following after righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, that led Christ, or that follows his example in denying self to save man from sin, is well-pleasing to God, and is approved of good men, or does that which uplifts and benefits men.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
in: Rom 14:4, Rom 6:22, Rom 12:11, Rom 16:18, Mar 13:34, Joh 12:26, 1Co 7:22, Gal 6:15, Gal 6:16, Col 3:24, Tit 2:11-14
is: Rom 12:1, Rom 12:2, Gen 4:7, Ecc 9:7, Act 10:35, 2Co 8:21, Phi 4:18, 1Ti 2:3, 1Ti 5:4, 1Pe 2:5, 1Pe 2:20
and: 2Co 4:2, 2Co 5:11, 2Co 6:4, 2Co 8:21, 1Th 1:3, 1Th 1:4, Jam 2:18-26, 1Pe 3:16
Reciprocal: Deu 33:24 – let him be 1Sa 2:26 – was in Est 10:3 – accepted Pro 3:4 – shalt Pro 14:9 – among Ecc 2:26 – wisdom Zec 7:5 – did Zec 14:20 – shall there Luk 2:52 – and in Act 2:47 – having Rom 16:10 – approved 2Co 7:11 – approved 2Co 10:18 – approved Eph 5:10 – acceptable 2Ti 2:15 – approved Heb 13:21 – working
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
-19
Rom 14:18-19. By observing this rule of respect for a weak brother’s con-scscience, we not only serve God acceptably, but all good men will approve of it.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rom 14:18. For he that herein, lit., in this, according to the correct reading. Some have referred this to the Holy Spirit, which seems unnatural. Others, to avoid the difficulty, retain the poorly supported plural. Herein points to the sphere of life, just described, and the verse confirms the statement of Rom 14:17.
Serveth Christ. This phrase not only indicates the moral reference of what precedes, but shows that duty in the kingdom of God consists in service of Christ.
Is well pleasing to God; since such service is what He enjoins, and approved of men; standing the test of their moral judgmenta fact not annulled by abnormal manifestations, in which misapprehension, perversion of the moral judgment, and the like are at work (Meyer). Men can approve of the conduct of Christians even while they hate it for the reproof it conveys.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
He that in these things, that is, in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, serveth Christ, is acceptable to God. That is, this shows and evidences that he is a person accepted with God, and approved of men, of wise, charitable, and good men; yea, the natural consciences of men in general will applaud and approve what is done by him, notwithstanding the fore-mentioned difference in lesser things concerning meats and days.
Learn hence, That the love and practice of religious duties, such as righteousness and peace, is a clear and strong argument of a person’s acceptance with God.
Learn, 2. That such as are for those things accepted by God, ought by no means, for differing from us in lesser things, to be disowned of us, and cast out of communion by us.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Vv. 18. For he that in these things serveth Christ, is acceptable to God and approved of men.
So true is it that it is in these dispositions the kingdom of God consists, that the goodwill of God and men rests only on him who cultivates them. If we read , we may refer the pronoun (him or that) either to the principle expressed in Rom 14:17 (thus), or to the Holy Spirit. The first meaning is forced; it would have required , according to (this principle). Nor is the second less so; for it would be the merest commonplace to say that he who serves Christ in the Holy Spirit is acceptable to God. We must therefore read, with the T. R. and the Byzs., , in these dispositions. Such a man is acceptable to God, who reads the heart, and he enjoys merited consideration even in the judgment of men. Every one, Christian or non-Christian, recognizes him to be a man really animated with power from above, the opposite of a fool or a boaster; : an approved Christian, who has stood the test of trial.
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
18. For he that serveth Christ in this, is well pleasing to God and approved unto men. If you have the righteousness, peace and joy all right, and are true to Christ, you are well pleasing to God and irreproachable to men. If you have these essentials of the kingdom in your heart, you are prepared for any tribunal of heaven or earth. Without the righteousness, peace and joy wrought in you by the Holy Ghost, you are bankrupt in the sight of God and good men, though you be the greatest churchman on the globe. With the pope and all the hierarchies you will go down.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 18
Serveth Christ; takes such a course as he supposes will be acceptable to Christ, whatsoever it may be.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
14:18 For he that in {p} these things serveth Christ [is] acceptable to God, and approved of men.
(p) He that lives peaceably, and does righteously, through the Holy Spirit.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Acceptance with God for Christians involves the stressing of these great kingdom graces rather than whether or not we engage in some amoral practice. This emphasis also wins the approval of other people since they realize what is more and less important.
"Let us ask ourselves, Does my walk please God? Is it approved in the hearts of men?" [Note: Newell, pp. 513-14.]