Romans 14:18

Romans 14:18

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

a. ASV: For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men.

  

b. YLT: For he who in these things is serving the Christ, is acceptable to God and approved of men.

d. Amplified Bible Classic: He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable and pleasing to God and is approved by men.

1. “For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God…

a. For [Strong: 1063 gár, gar; a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):—and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. he [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

c. [that] in [Strong: 1722 en, en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:—about, after, against, + almost, × altogether, among, × as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), × mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, × outwardly, one, × quickly, × shortly, (speedi-)ly, × that, × there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

d. these things [Strong: 5125 toútois, too'-toice; dative case plural masculine or neuter of G3778; to (for, in, with or by) these (persons or things):—such, them, there(-in, -with), these, this, those.]

e. serveth [Strong: 1398 douleúō, dool-yoo'-o; from G1401; to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary):—be in bondage, (do) serve(-ice).]

  

g.  Christ [Strong: 5547 Christós, khris-tos'; from G5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:—Christ.]

h. [is] acceptable [Strong: 2101 euárestos, yoo-ar'-es-tos; from G2095 and G701; fully agreeable:—acceptable(-ted), wellpleasing.]

i. [to] God [Strong: 2316 theós, theh'-os; of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:—X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

1). I think the wisdom behind this is if you do not have a problem with having an occasional beer or glass of wine, that is between you and God. It is a different story though if you from the pulpit or any proverbial soapbox, social media, brag about your favorite wine where other believers, referred to as “weak” (Romans 14:1), would be highly offended. The individual who does have an occasional beer or glass of wine should not be judged by the believer who does not, but the believer who does engage in such things should not throw it in the face of the believer who is offended by such things. The verse is saying that the believer who walks in love toward the other believer by not drinking in front of the weak brother is pleasing God. One the other hand, the weak brother who does not drink, nor judges the the brother who does drinks is also pleasing God.

  

2.  “...and approved of men.”

a. and [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. approved [Strong: 1384 dókimos, dok'-ee-mos; from G1380; properly, acceptable (current after assayal), i.e. approved:—approved, tried.]

c. [of] men [Strong: 444 ánthrōpos, anth'-ro-pos; from G435 and ὤψ ṓps (the countenance; from G3700); man-faced, i.e. a human being:—certain, man.]