Romans 14:5–6

Context

The apostle Paul wrote these words to the members of the church at Rome in the Epistle to the Romans. Romans 14:1–15:13 addresses the conflict between those who are "weak in the faith" and those who are "strong." Paul first takes up the case of the person who eats all things and the one who eats only herbs (14:2), and then, in verse 5, the question of esteeming one day above another. Paul does not rule on which side is right. Instead, noting that both act "unto the Lord" and give thanks to God, he urges them not to despise or judge one another (14:3, 10).

Interpretation

• Jewish festival reading: Many commentators take the "day" here to refer to the Sabbaths and festivals of the Mosaic law. They likewise regard those who eat only herbs as Jewish Christians who kept the dietary regulations of the law.
• Fast day and devotional custom reading: Another interpretation holds that the distinction of days refers not so much to the festivals of the law as to particular fast days or personal devotional practices.
• Adiaphora reading: The Lutheran and Reformed traditions have read this chapter as a basis for the teaching on adiaphora—that is, that in matters not essential to salvation, each person's freedom of conscience is to be respected.

Controversies and Issues

• The Sabbath and the Lord's Day: Some Christians cite this passage to argue that observing a particular day of the week is not a legal obligation. The Seventh-day Adventist Church holds that the days in view here are ceremonial-law festivals or fast days, and that the seventh-day Sabbath of the Ten Commandments does not fall into this category. The Presbyterian tradition that follows the Westminster Confession of Faith teaches that keeping the Lord's Day as the Christian Sabbath is a moral commandment. Within this tradition the passage is often read as referring to the ceremonial festivals of Judaism. For further detail, see Sabbath and the Lord's Day.
• Textual variant: The Textus Receptus, which the King James Version (KJV) follows, contains an additional clause in verse 6: "and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it." Because this clause is absent from the major early manuscripts, it is not included in the Korean Revised Version or the New Korean Revised Version.
• Scope of application: The words "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind" are sometimes cited to mean that every matter of faith should be left to individual judgment. Critics respond that Paul is addressing only nonessential matters and that such use takes the verse out of context.

In the Korean Church

The Korean church has long emphasized juil seongsu (keeping the Lord's Day holy). This passage is frequently mentioned in discussions about the nature of Lord's Day observance and in disputes with Sabbath-keeping groups. Together with the rest of chapter 14, it is also cited when addressing practical questions on which church members disagree, such as alcohol and tobacco and the observance of seasons of the liturgical calendar.

Related Passages

• Romans 14:6–8
• Galatians 4:9–11
• Colossians 2:16–17
• 1 Corinthians 10:23–24
• Mark 2:27–28