Argument on Romans 14 Cont'd...

This week we are going to conclude last week’s question on whether you can use Rom.14 to justify the belief that the Law has been done away with. So, let’s go back and review a few things first. Paul is writing to the congregations in Rome. The synagogues were made up of 3 different groups we will call the synagogue Jews who did not believe in Yeshua and were referred to as “weak” on the point that they have not come to faith in Yeshua yet.

The second group was made up of Messianic Jews who did believe in Yeshua, and the third group believing Gentiles referred to as “strong” because of their faith in Yeshua. In the book of Romans Paul is addressing all three groups and dealing with a variety of issues. In Rom. 14 Paul is telling the believing Gentiles to accept the ways of the synagogue Jews and some of the particular opinions they have on eating and local celebrations. This is not talking about keeping the Torah and eating kosher food or not. The subject is how to deal with each other about non-Torah binding opinions. So, let’s pick up in verse 13 which is saying that they were not to judge others on how they serve God especially if what they are doing is not specifically forbidden in the Word.

In verse 14 the word “unclean” is “koinos” in Greek and it means common. Paul is talking about common, everyday food. If he was talking about unkosher items he would have used “akathartos” meaning ritually unclean. So, he not talking about someone eating pork and they shouldn’t say something, he is talking about common food. If someone doesn’t want to eat common, everyday food allowed in the Torah for some reason, don’t make it an issue and don’t eat it in front of him if it offends him (v15). The faith is not about food and drink allowed by the Torah, but being led by the Holy Spirit and not making an issue about things that the Torah does not specifically address. If the synagogue Jews don’t believe they can eat biblically kosher food and wine from a Gentiles because of their “halacha” or opinions, don’t get all upset. So, pursue peace with others and don’t tear down unity and the chance to bring these unbelieving Jews (weak) in the congregation to Yeshua for the sake of a stupid food argument that doesn’t even matter. So, if you are eating something permitted by God in His Word but eating it would offend someone else than it is evil to do it. This is not talking about going to someone’s house and they serve pork, and you have to eat it so they won’t get offended.

This is talking about people who are Torah observant, but their way of expressing it may differ. For instance, there are many today who will not eat meat and dairy products together because of a particular interpretation of a verse in Exodus. On the other hand there are others who do not interpret it that way and have no problem with a cheeseburger. What Paul is saying in these verse is don’t eat a cheeseburger in front of the one would be offended. It is better not to eat the cheeseburger if doing it would make someone else stumble (v21). Faith is acting on the Word as you understand it and your conviction (v22) and your faith will be revealed by what you approve of. So, if a person eats common meat and it fills him with doubts he is not acting faith in regards to what he thinks he should do and he thinks he has sinned. Faith is knowing what the Scripture says and doing it and unbelief is knowing what the Scripture says and not doing it. This chapter is not talking about the Law and how people shouldn’t judge another for eating things not allowed in the Scripture.

That interpretation is wrong and it is usually by people who know what the Scripture says about these creatures but they don’t want to do it. That is unbelief and that should be addressed. The truth about Rom. 14 is that all the groups in the congregation eat biblically allowed food, but some believe that they cannot eat meat or drink wine from a Gentile. Paul is telling these believing Gentiles to go along with this opinion when in their presence and to not let this become an issue because these synagogue Jews are watching how they react and to see if their faith was for real. Any contention or strife on their part would harm the most important goal of the believing Gentiles which was the presentation of the good news that Yeshua is the Messiah which is reflected in their changed lifestyle and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.