Definition: Hast thou faith? have [it] to thyself before God. Happy [is] he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Romans 14:22 together. It’s a really important and often misunderstood verse! Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is about self-acceptance and humility . It's urging us to be gentle with ourselves, especially when we disagree with God or our own beliefs. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Hast thou faith?” – This means do you believe in yourself? Do you trust that you are good enough and worthy of God’s love? It's about a fundamental belief in your own value. “Have [it] to thyself before God.” – This is the key part. It means do you allow yourself to be judged by God, or do you hold back from criticism? “Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.” - This is where it gets a little tricky. Let’s break this down further: “Condemneth” : This means to judge harshly, to criticize harshly. “Alloweth” : This means to give or permit. "In that thing which he alloweth" : This is the crucial part. It’s saying don't criticize yourself when God allows things to happen in your life. So, what does it all mean? The verse is essentially saying: Don't be overly harsh on yourself. We should be forgiving of our mistakes and shortcomings. It’s okay to disagree with God or with others' opinions. But don’t let those disagreements make you feel unworthy or ashamed. Why is this important? Jesus teaches that God loves us unconditionally, even when we are flawed. This verse encourages us to be a little bit more forgiving of ourselves and to not hold onto anger or bitterness towards ourselves. It's about recognizing our imperfections while still trusting in God’s love and grace. In short: Don’t beat yourself up! Accept your flaws, trust in God's forgiveness, and let him work through it all. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in a different way? Give you some examples of how to practice this principle in your own life?