“Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth” (Romans 14:22).

That part of the verse leaves me scratching my head.

Let me check two or three other versions to see if they help me out . . . .

Hmmm. After checking two other versions, I checked Strong’s and learned that alloweth isn’t talking about permissiveness (that is, having a careless, “anything goes” attitude).

Rather, it has the idea of proving — examining and testing things with discernment. Notice two other verses that use different English words for the same Greek word. (I’ll underline them.)

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

Well, anyway. Here’s my rendition of the Romans 14 sentence:

“Blessed is he who does not judge and shame himself by that which approves.”

In other words, may you see as God sees — clearly and correctly.

“That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:10).