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 14:6KJVWhat does Romans 14:6 mean?
Romans 14:6 explains that whether someone observes special days or chooses not to, or whether someone eats certain foods or abstains, each person is acting out of a desire to honor the Lord and gives thanks to God in their choices. The verse emphasizes that sincere intentions toward God are what matter most, not the specific practice.
Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome, addressing disagreements about religious practices like observing certain days or eating particular foods. He points out that both those who participate and those who abstain are motivated by their devotion to the Lord, and both express gratitude to God. This verse encourages mutual respect among believers who may have different convictions about non-essential matters.
The Greek behind Romans 14:6
- "regardeth" (φρονέω, phroneō): This word means "to think" or "to set one's mind on." Here, it suggests that someone who observes a day is thoughtfully and intentionally doing so for the Lord, not just out of habit or tradition.
- "day" (ἡμέρα, hēmera): This refers to special days, likely including Jewish festivals or Sabbaths, which some early Christians still observed. The verse shows that observing or not observing these days can both be valid expressions of faith.
- "eateth" (ἐσθίω, esthiō): This word simply means "to eat," but in this context, it refers to eating foods that some considered unclean or improper. Paul highlights that both eating and abstaining can be acts of worship if done with thankfulness.
- "thanks" (εὐχαριστέω, eucharisteō): This means "to give thanks." Paul stresses that gratitude to God is present in both those who eat and those who do not, underlining that the heart’s attitude is what counts.
Why Romans 14:6 matters
- Romans 14:6 helps clear up the misunderstanding that one specific way of observing days or eating is superior in God’s eyes; what matters is the motivation behind the action.
- The verse reveals Paul’s emphasis on unity and respect among believers, even when they have different personal convictions about secondary issues.
- Romans 14:6 connects to the wider passage by showing that Christian freedom includes respecting others’ sincere choices, as long as those choices are made to honor God.