Expositional Analysis of Romans 14:5-6 with Historical Context

Original Greek Text

Ὃς μὲν κρίνει ἡμέραν παρ’ ἡμέραν, ὃς δὲ κρίνει πᾶσαν ἡμέραν· ἕκαστος ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ νοῒ πληροφορείσθω. ὁ φρονῶν τὴν ἡμέραν κυρίῳ φρονεῖ· καὶ ὁ ἐσθίων κυρίῳ ἐσθίει, εὐχαριστεῖ γὰρ τῷ θεῷ· καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων κυρίῳ οὐκ ἐσθίει καὶ εὐχαριστεῖ τῷ θεῷ.

Here's a word-for-word analysis of the passage:

1. Ὃς μὲν κρίνει ἡμέραν παρ’ ἡμέραν: "He who judges one day over another" – This phrase refers to someone who considers certain days to be more significant or sacred than others.

2. ὃς δὲ κρίνει πᾶσαν ἡμέραν: "He who judges every day" – This contrasts with the previous phrase, indicating someone who sees all days as equally significant.

3. ἕκαστος ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ νοῒ πληροφορείσθω: "Let each be fully convinced in his own mind" – This emphasizes the importance of personal conviction and being assured in one's own beliefs and practices.

4. ὁ φρονῶν τὴν ἡμέραν κυρίῳ φρονεῖ: "He who regards the day, regards it to the Lord" – This suggests that those who observe certain days do so with the intention of honoring the Lord.

5. καὶ ὁ ἐσθίων κυρίῳ ἐσθίει: "And he who eats, eats to the Lord" – This indicates that those who partake in eating do so with gratitude and devotion to God.

6. εὐχαριστεῖ γὰρ τῷ θεῷ: "For he gives thanks to God" – This underscores the act of giving thanks to God as a central aspect of these practices.

7. καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων κυρίῳ οὐκ ἐσθίει: "And he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat" – This reflects the idea that even abstaining from eating is done with the intention of honoring the Lord.

8. καὶ εὐχαριστεῖ τῷ θεῷ: "And gives thanks to God" – Again, the emphasis is on gratitude to God, regardless of whether one eats or abstains.

   
   

This analysis highlights the passage's focus on personal conviction, the intention behind actions, and the centrality of gratitude to God in all practices.

NASB Translation

“One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.”

Expositional Analysis

Context

This passage is part of Paul’s broader discussion in Romans 14 about Christian liberty and the importance of not judging others in matters of conscience. The specific issue addressed here is the observance of special days and dietary practices.

Key Points

1. Diversity of Practice: Paul acknowledges that Christians may have different views on the importance of certain days or dietary practices.

2. Personal Conviction: The apostle emphasizes that each believer should be “fully convinced in his own mind” about these matters.

3. Motivation: Regardless of the specific practice, Paul stresses that the motivation should be to honor the Lord.

4. Unity in Diversity: The passage implies that these differences should not be a source of division among believers.

   
   

Theological Implications

Worship Day Considerations

The question of which day Christians should worship is directly relevant to this passage. Several points can be made:

1. Freedom in Christ: The text suggests a degree of flexibility regarding the observance of special days, which could include the day of worship.

2. Heart Attitude: Paul emphasizes the importance of one’s motivation and conviction rather than the specific day chosen.

3. Unity Amidst Diversity: The passage encourages mutual respect among believers who may have different practices.

   
   

Historical Context and Development of Christian Worship Practices

Roman Suppression of Jewish Practices

After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, the Roman Empire took measures to suppress Jewish practices, which had significant implications for early Christians:

1. Outlawing Saturday Worship: The Romans specifically targeted the Jewish Sabbath, making it illegal to observe Saturday as a day of rest and worship.

2. Fiscus Judaicus: Emperor Vespasian imposed a special tax on Jews, which was later extended to those who “lived a Jewish life” without officially converting, potentially affecting Jewish Christians.

3. Separation from Judaism: These measures accelerated the process of Christianity distinguishing itself from Judaism, as continuing to observe Jewish practices could lead to persecution.

   
   

Impact on Christian Worship Practices

The Roman suppression of Jewish practices had a profound effect on the development of Christian worship, particularly regarding the choice of Sunday as the primary day of worship:

1. Shift to Sunday Worship: While early Christians, especially those of Jewish background, initially continued to observe the Sabbath, the Roman restrictions on Saturday worship likely accelerated the shift towards Sunday as the primary day of Christian gathering.

2. Theological Justification: The move to Sunday worship was supported by theological reasoning, emphasizing the day of Christ’s resurrection (the “Lord’s Day”) as described in the New Testament (e.g., Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2, Revelation 1:10).

3. Distinguishing from Judaism: Sunday worship helped early Christians distinguish themselves from Jews in the eyes of Roman authorities, potentially reducing the risk of persecution.

4. Gentile Influence: As Christianity spread among Gentiles who had no prior attachment to the Jewish Sabbath, Sunday worship became increasingly normative.

   
   

Patristic Perspectives

1. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35-108 AD):“Let every friend of Christ keep the Lord’s Day as a festival, the resurrection-day, the queen and chief of all the days of the week.” (Epistle to the Magnesians)

2. Justin Martyr (c. 100-165 AD):“But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead.” (First Apology)

3. Tertullian (c. 155-220 AD):“We solemnize the day after Saturday in contradiction to those who call this day their Sabbath.” (Apology)

4. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD):“One man fasts on Saturday, another does not; one man eats of all meats, another only of certain kinds… In these and all similar matters relating to outward conduct, the custom of the people of God or the practices of any family should be followed.” (On the Morals of the Catholic Church)

5. John Chrysostom (347-407 AD):“The Apostle here does not set aside the observance of seasons, but shows that this is not to be done in a judaical manner, nor with an ensnaring of the conscience.” (Homilies on the Epistle to the Romans)

   
   

Additional Scripture

1. Colossians 2:16-17: “Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”

2. Galatians 4:10-11: “You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.”

3. Acts 20:7: “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.”

   
   

Conclusion

Romans 14:5-6 presents a nuanced view of Christian liberty regarding the observance of special days, including days of worship. While the passage does not prescribe a specific day for Christian worship, it emphasizes the importance of personal conviction, proper motivation, and mutual respect among believers.

The historical context of Roman suppression of Jewish practices after 70 AD played a significant role in shaping early Christian worship practices. The shift from Saturday to Sunday worship was influenced by both theological considerations (emphasizing Christ’s resurrection) and practical concerns (distinguishing from Judaism to avoid persecution).

The diversity of interpretations and practices throughout Christian history reflects the complexity of this issue, highlighting the need for grace and understanding among different traditions. As Paul emphasizes in Romans 14, the key is not the specific day chosen for worship, but rather the heart attitude and motivation behind the observance.