Romans 14 · Verse 18

Romans 14:18

For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Romans 14:18, King James Version

Romans 14:18 in other translations

BSBFor whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
WEBFor he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
ASVFor he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men.
YLTfor he who in these things is serving the Christ, is acceptable to God and approved of men.
DARBYFor he that in this serves the Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men.
BBEAnd he who in these things is Christ's servant, is pleasing to God and has the approval of men.
WebsterFor he that in these things serveth Christ, is acceptable to God, and approved by men.

What does Romans 14:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
18. For he that in these things--"in this," meaning this threefold life. serveth Christ--Here again observe how, though we do these three things as a "kingdom of God," yet it is "Christ" that we serve in so doing; the apostle passing here from God to Christ as naturally as before from Christ to God--in a way to us inconceivable, if Christ had been viewed as a mere creature (compare 2Co 8:21). is acceptable to God, and approved of men--these being the things which God delights in, and men are constrained to approve. (Compare Pr 3:4; Lu 2:52; Ac 2:47; 19:20).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 18. 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 honour 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, men 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 men ought to lead.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 14:14-18

Christ deals gently with those who have true grace, though they are weak in it. Consider the design of Christ's death: also that drawing a soul to sin, threatens the destruction of that soul. Did Christ deny himself for our brethren, so as to die for them, and shall not we deny ourselves for them, so as to keep from any indulgence? We cannot hinder ungoverned tongues from speaking evil; but we must not give them any…

Read the full comment on Romans 14:14-18 →

Romans 14:18 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὁhoThe [one]G3588
γὰρgarforG1063
ἐνeninG1722
τούτῳtoutōthis thingG3778
δουλεύωνdouleuōnservingG1398
τῷtō<the>G3588
ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547
εὐάρεστοςeuarestos[is] well-pleasingG2101
τῷtō<the>G3588
θεῷtheōto GodG2316
καὶkaiandG2532
δόκιμοςdokimosapprovedG1384
τοῖςtois<the>G3588
ἀνθρώποις.¶anthrōpoisby men.G444

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 14:18

  • 2 Corinthians 8:21

    Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

  • 1 Peter 2:5

    Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

  • 1 Peter 2:20

    For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:11

    Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4

    Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

  • 1 Timothy 5:4

    But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:4

    But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

  • Romans 12:11

    Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

  • Romans 6:22

    But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:22

    For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.

  • John 12:26

    If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

  • Acts 10:35

    But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
in.
4; 6:22; 12:11; 16:18; Mr 13:34; Joh 12:26; 1Co 7:22; Ga 6:15,16
Col 3:24; Tit 2:11-14
is.
12:1,2; Ge 4:7; Ec 9:7; Ac 10:35; 2Co 8:21; Php 4:18; 1Ti 2:3; 5:4
1Pe 2:5,20
and.
2Co 4:2; 5:11; 6:4; 8:21; 1Th 1:3,4; Jas 2:18-26; 1Pe 3:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Romans 14:17

    For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

  • Romans 14:18

    For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

  • Romans 14:19

    Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Read all of Romans 14

Romans 14:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque el que en esto sirve á Cristo, agrada á Dios, y es acepto á los hombres.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car celui qui en cela sert le Christ est agréable à Dieu et approuvé des hommes.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn wer in diesem dem Christus dient, ist Gott wohlgefällig und den Menschen bewährt.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		qui enim in hoc servit Christo, placet Deo, et probatus est hominibus.