Romans 14:16
 Romans 14:16 
New International Version (©2011)
Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good.

English Standard Version (©2001)
So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Therefore, do not let your good be slandered,

International Standard Version (©2012)
Do not allow what seems good to you to be spoken of as evil.

NET Bible (©2006)
Therefore do not let what you consider good be spoken of as evil.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
And let not our good be blasphemed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Don't allow anyone to say that what you consider good is evil.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

American King James Version
Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

American Standard Version
Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Douay-Rheims Bible
Let not then our good be evil spoken of.

Darby Bible Translation
Let not then your good be evil spoken of;

English Revised Version
Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Webster's Bible Translation
Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Weymouth New Testament
Therefore do not let the boon which is yours in common be exposed to reproach.

World English Bible
Then don't let your good be slandered,

Young's Literal Translation
Let not, then, your good be evil spoken of,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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 occasion. We must deny ourselves in many cases what we may lawfully do, when our doing it may hurt our good name. Our good often comes to be evil spoken of, because we use lawful things in an uncharitable and selfish manner. As we value the reputation of the good we profess and practise, let us seek that it may not be evil-spoken of. Righteousness, peace, and joy, are words that mean a great deal. As to God, our great concern is to appear before him justified by Christ's death, sanctified by the Spirit of his grace; for the righteous Lord loveth righteousness. As to our brethren, it is to live in peace, and love, and charity with them; following peace with all men. As to ourselves, it is joy in the Holy Ghost; that spiritual joy wrought by the blessed Spirit in the hearts of believers, which respects God as their reconciled Father, and heaven as their expected home. Regard to Christ in doing our duties, alone can make them acceptable. Those are most pleasing to God that are best pleased with him; and they abound most in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. They are approved by wise and good men; and the opinion of others is not to be regarded.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 16. - Let not then your good be evil spoken of. "Your good" is your enlightenment, which is in itself a good thing; but it will be "evil spoken of" as a bad thing, if it leads to superciliousness and uncharitableness.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Let not then your good be evil spoken of. The Vulgate Latin reads it, "our good", and so the Syriac version; the sense is the same, and to be understood either of the Gospel in general, which is good in its author, matter, effects, and consequences; is good tidings of good things, and which might be blasphemed by the men of the world, on account of the divisions and contentions among the professors of it, about such little trivial things, as eating this or the other sort of food; and therefore care should be taken, that it be not evil spoken of through such conduct: or else the doctrine of Christian liberty in particular, which is a good thing; Christ has procured it, and bestows it upon his people; it is a valuable blessing in itself, and is attended and followed with many considerable privileges and immunities; but may be evil spoken of by those, who do not so well understand it, through an imprudent use of it by those who do; and who therefore should guard against any reproach that may be cast upon it; and rather than this should be the case, forego the use of it, in things of an indifferent nature; see 1 Corinthians 10:30; so that this is another of the apostle's reasons, why though nothing is of itself unclean, yet it should be abstained from on account of others.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

16, 17. Let not then your good—that is, this liberty of yours as to Jewish meats and days, well founded though it be.

be evil spoken of—for the evil it does to others.


Romans 14:16 Parallel Commentaries

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Do Not Cause Your Brother to Stumble
15But if your brother be grieved with your meat, now walk you not charitably. Destroy not him with your meat, for whom Christ died. 16Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. …

Ruth 3:14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, "No one must know that a woman came to the threshing floor."
1 Corinthians 10:29 I am referring to the other person's conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another's conscience?
1 Corinthians 10:30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
Titus 2:5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.