What about One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike (Romans 14:5)?: Many apply this to keeping either the Sabbath or Sunday, but this is incorrect. To begin with, neither Sabbath nor Sunday is found in the entire chapter. The chapter begins, Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. Romans 14:1 (KJV). The NKJV reads, disputes over doubtful things. Thus the initial context of Romans 14 is doubtful things, and is not a discussion of the Ten Commandments. The Big Ten are not doubtful, but exceedingly clear, written with the finger of God on two tables of stone. The weak brother eats some things and esteems one day above another while the strong brother believes that he may eat all things and esteems every day alike. Romans 14:2, 5. The early Church was made up of Jewish believers and Gentile converts. Although Paul did not specify what days he was referring to, he was probably talking about certain Jewish fast or feast days (Luke 18:12), and certain pagan feast days when people were eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols. 1 Corinthians 8:4. On a pagan feast day a strong Jew who knew that an idol is nothing” and who was hungry would have no scruples about eating meat in an idol’s temple. See 1 Cor. 8:4, 10. Paul warned these strong Jewish believers, But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak [the Gentile convert from idolatry]. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idols temple [on a pagan feast day], shall not the conscience of him that is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; and through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish [if he is drawn back to idolatry], for whom Christ died. But when ye sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth. 1 Corinthians 8:9-13. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE in either Romans 14 or 1 Corinthians 8 (a parallel reference) that the discussion about the weak and the strong had anything to do with the Sabbath. God never said, One man may choose to esteem My Sabbaths, while another man may choose to esteem Sunday, or Tuesday, or every day alike. He hasn’t left it up to us to pick a day, any day. Rather, He clearly commanded, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy ... the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. Exodus 20:8, 10. The same book of Romans is very clear, by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20; 7:7, 12. There is nothing doubtful about God’s Law. by Steve Wohlberg
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 21:29:49 +0000
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