Romans 14:18

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

In the two previous verses, Paul had in view the evil speaking of outsiders against the church which violated the principles taught here; here the approval of people in general is promised to churches which honor the commandment to walk in love, even toward the weak brother. As Murray noted:

We may not rightly restrict the approval in view to those who are of the household of faith. The damage which befalls the church through inconsiderate conduct of strong believers has its repercussions in the judgments of those outside; and the good name of the church as the community of love and concord should be maintained so that adversaries may not have an occasion to speak reproachfully.[15]

Conversely, nothing is so capable of endearing a congregation to the community at large as a reputation of loving concern for one another in the congregation itself. Many have been won to an acceptance of Christianity through the glowing warmth of a true fellowship of loving concern among a community of Christians. Paul was careful, here, to avoid making the reaction of outsiders the principal concern. That must ever be the approval of God.