Romans 14:18

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

So true is it that it is in these dispositions the kingdom of God consists, that the goodwill of God and men rests only on him who cultivates them. If we read ἐν τούτῳ, we may refer the pronoun (him or that) either to the principle expressed in Romans 14:17 (“thus”), or to the Holy Spirit. The first meaning is forced; it would have required κατὰ τοῦτο, according to (this principle). Nor is the second less so; for it would be the merest commonplace to say that he who serves Christ in the Holy Spirit is acceptable to God. We must therefore read, with the T. R. and the Byzs., ἐν τούτοις, in these dispositions. Such a man is acceptable to God, who reads the heart, and he enjoys merited consideration even in the judgment of men. Every one, Christian or non-Christian, recognizes him to be a man really animated with power from above, the opposite of a fool or a boaster; δόκιμος : an approved Christian, who has stood the test of trial.