The Meaning of Romans 14:16 Explained

Romans 14:16

KJV: Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

YLT: Let not, then, your good be evil spoken of,

Darby: Let not then your good be evil spoken of;

ASV: Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Let  not  then  your  good  be evil spoken of: 

What does Romans 14:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The good thing refers to the liberty to eat meat or to do anything amoral. People could legitimately speak of it as evil if it resulted in the fall of a brother.

Context Summary

Romans 14:13-23 - Yielding Rights For Others' Sake
We must be careful of one another's faith. Unkind criticism or ridicule, or the strong pressure of our arguments and reasons may impede the divine life in weaker natures by leading them to act in defiance of their own conscientious convictions. We must not flaunt our greater liberty or urge men to act against their conscience. We may, of course, temperately and lovingly explain why we are not held by minute scruples. We may show, as Paul did repeatedly, that Christ has called us to liberty; but we must not attempt the regulation of one another's conduct from without. The sanctuary of the soul must be left un-invaded. The Spirit alone may speak His oracles in the shrine.
Leave each disciple to his own Master, each plant to the Gardener, each child to the divine Fatherhood. In many things you may grant yourself a wider liberty than others allow themselves; but it must be used wisely, and you must refuse to avail yourself of it whenever those around you may be positively imperiled. We need not mind the censorious criticism of the Pharisee, but like the Good Shepherd with His flock, we must accommodate our pace to that of the lambs, Isaiah 40:11. [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 14

1  Men may not condemn one another for disputable matters;
13  but must take heed that they give no offense in them;
15  which the apostle proves unlawful by many reasons

Greek Commentary for Romans 14:16

Your good [υμων το αγατον]
“The good thing of you” = the liberty or Christian freedom which you claim. [source]
Be evil spoken of [βλασπημειστω]
Present passive imperative of βλασπημεω — blasphēmeō for which see note on Matthew 9:3 and Romans 3:8. [source]
Your good [ὑμῶν τὸ ἀγαθόν]
Referring, most probably, to the liberty of the strong. Others think that the whole Church is addressed, in which case good would refer to the gospel doctrine. [source]
Be evil spoken of [βλασφημείσθω]
See on blasphemy, Mark 7:22. In 1 Corinthians 10:30, it is used of evil-speaking by members of the Church, which favors the reference of good to the strong. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 14:16

Mark 7:22 Blasphemy [βλασφημία]
The word does not necessarily imply blasphemy against God. It is used of reviling, calumny, evil-speaking in general. See Matthew 27:39; Romans 3:8; Romans 14:16; 1 Peter 4:4, etc. Hence Rev. renders railing. [source]
Romans 15:2 For that which is good [εις το αγατον]
“For the good.” As in Romans 14:16, Romans 14:19. Not to please men just for popular favours, but for their benefit. [source]
Colossians 3:8 Blasphemy [βλασφημίαν]
See on Mark 7:22. Compare Romans 3:8; Romans 14:16; 1 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 4:31. Rev. railing. [source]
1 Timothy 6:1 Be not blasphemed [μη - βλασφημῆται]
Or be evil spoken of. See on blasphemy, Mark 7:22, and be evil spoken of, Romans 14:16; 1 Corinthians 10:30. Paul uses the word, but not in the active voice as in the Pastorals. [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 14:16 mean?

Not let be spoken of as evil therefore your - good
Μὴ βλασφημείσθω οὖν ὑμῶν τὸ ἀγαθόν

βλασφημείσθω  let  be  spoken  of  as  evil 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: βλασφημέω 
Sense: to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme.
ὑμῶν  your 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
τὸ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀγαθόν  good 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: ἀγαθός 
Sense: of good constitution or nature.