Esteeming one day above another: an exposition on Paul's words in Romans 14:5-6

LESSON 6

ESTEEMING ONE DAY ABOVE ANOTHER: AN EXPOSITION ON PAUL'S WORDS IN ROMANS 14:5-6

You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible study programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

In this edition, we continue with our series on The Sabbath Question. The topic for this study is: Esteeming one day above another: an exposition on Paul's words in Romans 14:5-6. The complete message in this passage reads: "14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks."

(Romans 14:5-6) Beloved, some passages of the writings of Paul are tough. The apostle Peter confessed this point when he exhorted the growing Christian Church (see 2 Peter 3:15-16). But beloved, if we humble our hearts before the Holy Spirit, and make diligent effort in the study of God's Word, the Lord will bring rich insights of truth into our hearts. Our entire study on this important passage will be structured in five sub-sections as follows:

1) THE BACKGROUND

For us to understand the passage of Romans 14, we need to consider the background of the original recipients of the message. This exercise, I believe will help us to make good progress in our study.

Beloved, it is important for us to note that Paul wrote to believers in Christ who were situated in Rome, a Gentile land. The congregation of this church was made up of two main groups: Jewish believers who were converted from Judaism and Gentile believers who were converted from Heathenism or idol worship. The sharp difference in the background of these two groups usually created problems of judging in the Christian churches in Gentile lands.

In the passage of Romans 14, Paul clearly paints the picture that a serious problem of judging was going on within the church from the two classes of believers. The texts below from Romans 14 highlight this important fact: "14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."

(Romans 14:4, 10, 13, 19) Friends, the passage above make it very clear that there was contention in the Christian Church at Rome because of the issue of judging. Paul wanted the church to forsake this practice and "follow after the things which make for peace". It is important to note that this problem of judging was not coming from only one class of the believers. The Jews judged their Gentile brethren for not keeping the feasts and other holidays that were related to the sanctuary. The Gentiles on the other hand judged their Jewish brethren for taking foods that were sacrificed to pagan idols. At this point, I want us to look closely at these two forms of judging from the perspective of some of the key texts in the passage of Romans 14.

2) THE JEWISH BELIEVERS JUDGE THEIR GENTILE BRETHREN

As we have noted already, the problem of judging that arose in churches situated in Gentile lands was highly related to the background of the differing congregation. In the case of the Christian Church at Rome, some of the Jewish converts still held in high esteem the various ceremonial holydays such as the annual feasts, and monthly new moon festivals even though the death of Christ had brought these sanctuary ordinances to an end (see Matthew 27:50-51, Ephesians 2:15, Colossians 2:14-16).

Beloved, the problem Paul had with the Jewish believers was not even related to the fact that they were regarding ordinances that had no place in the Christian Church at the time, but the fact that they actually went forward to judge their Gentile brethren as "second class Christians" because they refused to honour such ordinances.

It is important to note that in addressing this issue in his letter, Paul was careful not to injure the strong ego of the Jewish converts who thought they were somehow superior to their Gentile brethren due to their Abrahamic roots (see Matthew 3:9). And so, the apostle Paul used these carefully drafted words to address His Jewish folks: "5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it" (Romans 14:5-6).

From the passage above, it is clear that Paul's counsel to the Jewish converts was simple. They could continue to keep or regard the celebration of the ceremonial holydays if they wanted to. It was to the Lord they were keeping those ceremonial days. But as far as the apostle was concerned, the Gentile converts had the liberty not to regard the ceremonial holydays because Christ, the Great Antitype of all the sanctuary ordinances had come to die.

Friends, this text in Romans 14:5 has nothing to do with the supposed Christian liberty to utilise any day of the week as the usual weekly worship day. The issue was basically about the celebration of the ceremonial holydays in relation to the Israelite sanctuary service. This point is supported by the fact that even before the message of Christ was proclaimed in Gentile lands, both Jews and Gentiles did not have any problems worshipping God together on the Seventh - day Sabbath (see Acts 13:42-44; Acts 16:13-15; Acts 17:1-2; Acts 18:4).

Beloved, from the given texts above, it is clearly evident that Sabbath worship was not an issue of contention among the two groups of believers who usually worshipped together in Gentile lands. Hence, the problem Paul was addressing in Romans 14:5-6, was not related in any way to the keeping Holy of the Seventh-day Sabbath that is enshrined in the Ten Commandments. In fact, the issue had to do with the ceremonial sabbaths and holidays that the Jews continued to hold in high esteem even after the death of Christ.

Friends, it is important to note that for this same reason of judging from Jewish believers in the Christian Church at Colossae, the apostle Paul had to encourage the Gentile believers with these straightforward words: "2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

2:16 LET NO MAN THEREFORE JUDGE YOU in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."

(Colossians 2:14-17; Capital Emphasis Added)

3) THE GENTILE BELIEVERS JUDGE THEIR JEWISH BRETHREN

The second part of Paul's message in Romans 14:5-6, that is; "He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks", had to do with another aspect of judging that came from the end of the Gentiles. The Gentile believers also judged their Jewish brethren for taking meats that they knew had been sacrificed to pagan idols. Because of the former religious experience of the Gentile converts, they had a good knowledge about how foods offered unto idols were seriously connected with idol worship.

Let us now consider the background that led to the second issue of judging. You see friends, after the pagans had gone through their rituals with the meats that had been sacrificed to their various idols; some of this meat was brought to the marketplace or shambles, and sold to the general public. The Gentile believers who had a good knowledge of this kind of meat due to their former experience with such practices did not want to have anything to do with them. In fact, the Gentiles believed using such meats that have been offered in sacrifice to idols was against the clear commandments of God (see Acts15:28-29). Now, since it was difficult for one to discern in the market place the particular meats that have been offered in sacrifice to idols, the Gentile believers decided not to even touch any meat that was brought to the heathen market place, thus relying only on herbs (see Romans 14:2).

The Jewish believers on the other hand did not see things in exactly the same light as their Gentile brethren. As faithful Jews, these believers in Christ had been worshipping the One true God in time past, and did not have any knowledge of what went into idol worship. As far as they were concerned, once the food was clean meat, they could eat of it because they knew there was only one God, and that the eating of foods sacrificed unto some idols could not do them any harm. These Jewish believers even went further to despise their Gentile friends, seeing them as weak in faith because of their refusal to eat the meats made available at the market place (see Romans 14:1-3).

Friends, with all these contentions going on in the church, Paul's advice to the Gentile believers was to refrain from judging their Jewish brethren on issues of foods sacrificed unto idols. At the same time he had counsel for the Jewish believers not to also despise their Gentile brethren, thinking they were weak in the faith for refusing to eat meat brought to the general marketplace.

4) PAUL ADDRESSES A SIMILAR ISSUE IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AT CORINTH

In the Christian Church at Corinth, a similar problem of judging arose in regard to the issue of meats sacrificed unto idols for which Paul had to address. For us to come away with a good understanding of the passage we are considering in Romans 14, I will want us to read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. This chapter will open our understanding to appreciate what Paul meant in Romans 14 on the second issue of meats. From 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, we read the following from the apostle Paul: "8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

8:4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

8:6 But to us (that is, Jewish converts) there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some (Gentile converts) with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge (Jewish converts) sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak (Gentile converts) be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

8:12 But when ye (Jewish converts) sin so against the brethren (Gentile converts), and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend."

(1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Emphasis Added) Beloved, by comparing this passage above with our key passage in Romans 14, it is clear that the two passages deal with the same issue of meats sacrificed to pagan idols. From this background, we come to understand Paul when he makes the statement: "14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died" (Romans 14:14-15).

From the texts and backgrounds we have gone through so far, it is very clear that Paul was not suggesting in Romans 14:14-15 that Christians had the liberty to now eat unclean meats as prohibited in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. The understanding to this passage is still within the context of the background we have covered. A particular meat is esteemed by one class (Pagan Converts) as 'unclean' because it is sacrificed to idols, while the other class (Jewish Converts) does not view such meats in the same light because of their background.

Friends, I believe we now see that the entire context of Romans 14 has nothing to do with the supposed Christian liberty to eat unclean foods; to the extent that some even dare to think that it is a weakness for one to be a vegetarian based on Paul's words in Romans 14:2. How can one be described as weak for embracing God's original diet for mankind, when even today, several studies in modern science have proven that a plant - based diet is preferable for optimum health than an animal - based diet? (See The China Study by T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II; Dying to Have Known (2006); a Video Documentary by Steve Croschel).

Beloved, it is very clear if we compare Scripture with Scripture that the weaker brethren mentioned in Romans 14:1-2 actually refer to the Gentile brethren because of their knowledge of the idol (Review 1 Corinthians 8:7), while the one who believes he may eat all things in Romans 14:2, actually refer to the Jewish believers (Review 1 Corinthians 8:6-9). It is interesting to note that because the issue of foods sacrificed unto idols was a very important subject to the apostle Paul, he devoted some more writing time to it in the same letter to the Corinthians. I hope this second passage will broaden our knowledge on the issue. From 1 Corinthians 10:19-33, we read the following from the apostle Paul: "10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

10:22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

10:25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

10:27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

10:28 But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

10:29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

10:30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

10:32 GIVE NONE OFFENCE, NEITHER TO THE JEWS, NOR TO THE GENTILES, NOR TO THE CHURCH OF GOD:

10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved."

(1 Corinthians 10:19-33; Capital Emphasis Added) 5) Friends, most Christians today will want to see the message in Romans 14:5-6 as a liberty to worship on any day of the week as well as consume any food of their choice, whether clean or unclean. But beloved, from the scriptural passages we have reviewed so far, it is clear that the Lord has not given us any such liberty. The issues that were addressed by the apostle Paul had to do with judging from the two groups of believers on ceremonial holydays and meats offered in sacrifice to idols. The Sabbath commandment enshrined in the Decalogue (see Exodus 20:8-11; Revelation 14:12) as well as the Laws of Health as found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 continue to remain in force even today.

Exhortation: "4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost" (Romans 15:4, 13).

In our next study, we will consider the topic: Turning back to observe the weak and beggarly elements: an exposition on Paul's words in Galatians 4:9-11. The Bible study references for this study are Galatians 4, Galatians 5:2, Galatians 6:12-13, Deuteronomy 18:9-11, Colossians 2:14-16 and Hebrews 4:4, 9, 10. Please do well to go through these passages before the next study is released.

Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.

Maranatha!

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