“One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.” -Romans 14:5–6
By comparison with the earlier construction of Paul’s argument, the one who esteems one day better than another is the weaker believer. By weaker, he does not mean one who has a shaky foundation in Christ; rather, he means one who has a more sensitive conscience about particular matters of custom. Therefore, we must remember that while the observance of diets and days by the weaker believers was ultimately a matter of indifference in light of their common salvation and exhortation to unity, Paul is not affirming any wrongheaded notions held by any believer. And the reason why some things can be a matter of indifference, especially at this point in the church’s development, is because both parties do so out honor for and thanksgiving to God.
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” -Proverbs 6:16–19
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” -Psalm 133:1
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