Romans Part 6: RESPONSESample

Does What You Eat Condemn You?

Initially, this passage seems inapplicable to our modern world; we do not, in general, adhere to dietary laws like the Jews did. Nor are we faced with the dilemma of whether it is allowable to eat food that had been offered to idols. There was a question in the first-century church about this issue, for food bought in the market from pagan butchers may have been ‘blessed’ by pagan priests. The temples sold the remains of their sacrificed meat to the retailers in the public square where the source quickly became untraceable and was a matter of conscience for some. This issue was also addressed in 1 Cor 8:4-13 where Paul concluded that “food does not bring us near to god. We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.” (1 Cor 8:8) The problem Paul is addressing is not the food itself, but the attitude of believers toward other believers. We are to “consider others better than yourselves” (Phil 2:3), and to be alert to the needs of other believers. If eating meat offends other believers, it is a simple solution to forgo eating meat. If you have a personal conviction about eating no meat but observe others eating it, it is best to keep quiet about it, in order “to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Rom 14:19) The whole food question is really not a food question at all, but a love question.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Rom 14:17). In the next chapter, Paul reinforces this by adding “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the week and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” (Rom 15:1-2)

How, then, does this passage convict a modern believer? Are there things we consider so important that we judge other believers who disagree with us about them? Although we must adhere to the truths of the gospel, sometimes we let personal preferences over non-essentials lead us to division and disunity. Let’s not quarrel over these things, but have a ‘spirit of unity among yourselves.” (Rom 15:5). In doing so, we will encourage other believers and experience the peace of God.

-Donna Beardsley