BrBC - welcome
BrTom - Almighty Father Yahweh
BrTom - We come before you in the name of your son Yahshua
BrTom - and ask that you forgive our sin and uncleanness for the sake oif his sacrifice.
BrTom - and hear our prayer and our praise
BrTom - Father, we wish you good Sabbath,
BrTom - may you see your children all over the earth in shalom and love.
BrTom - Father Yahweh, we praise you for your love,
BrTom - for you power
BrTom - for your righteousness!
BrTom - Father please send your spirit to be with us at this meeting and to be within us as well.
BrTom - Guide all that is said.
BrTom - Teach us your ways and give us strength to follow in them.
BrTom - Thank you for sending Yahshua to be our example,
BrTom - Thank you for sending him, your beloved son, to die for us.
BrTom - Father, being with you is such a great gift! Thank you for making it possible!
BrTom - We praise you and ask your blessing in Yahshua's name.
BrTom - HalleluYAH!
Tonight I would like to share a study on the 14th chapter of Romans
This chapter is often quoted by the teachers of torahlessness to support their Anti-torah understanding of scripture. There are many views out there on the meaning of this chapter.
Romans 14:1 - Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.Here we are told to receive one who is weak in the faith.
For centuries, mainstream christianity has taught that this weak person is one who is still hanging onto so called "ceremonial" commandments in the law of Yahweh such as Sabbath observance and refraining from eating unclean animals as outlined in the 15th chapter of Leviticus.
If this were the case, we would need to classify Peter (Kepha) as one who is 'weak in faith'!
When Yahweh gave him a vision in Acts chapter 10, Kepha said "I have never eaten anything common or unclean."
This was many years after Yahshua's resurrection.
So was Kepha weak in faith? I think not. Look at Kepha here:
Acts 3:6 - Then Kepha said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Yahushua the Messiah of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Acts 3:7 - And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.Hardly a man lacking faith!
It was through faith that this man was healed. (see verse 16).
Consider also Paul himself would have to be classified as 'weak in faith' if this were the proper interpretation
For his custom was to observe the Sabbath:
Acts 17:2 - And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,It can be shown that the disciples all kept the Sabbath 83 times in the New Testament. Were they all weak in faith also? I think not
For this reason among many, I am convinced that what is being talked about in Romans 14 could not about the eating of pork and other unclean foods.
I believe that the situation in Rome has to do with meat offered to idols.
However, this is not evident just by looking at the first few verses of Romans. We must read through the whole chapter before we really get an understanding of what is being talked about here.
So please have an open mind through this study and toward the end I think you will begin to see why this is evident.
But before we get any furthur into Romans, let us examine the situation in Corinth as a backdrop to our study:
1Corinthians 10:25 - Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
1Corinthians 10:26 - For the earth is YAHWEH's, and the fulness thereof.Note verse 26...
The earth is Yahweh's and all its fullness
The reasoning for Paul's stance is that all animals belong to Yahweh. Truly the earth and all the animals that dwell therein does belong to Yahweh.
If we with a pure heart are eating an animal that Yahweh has not forbidden us to eat then surely there is no sin in that.
The problem was that the believers in Corinth and also in Rome were surrounded by paganism.
1Corinthians 10:27 - If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.This phrase 'eat what is set before you' is not a new one. Yahshua used it when sending out the seventy:
Luke 10:8 - And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
Luke 10:9 - And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of YAHWEH is come nigh unto you.Continuing in 1 Corinthians
1Corinthians 10:27 - If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
1Corinthians 10:28 - But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is YAHWEH's, and the fulness thereof:
1Corinthians 10:29 - Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?How can this scripture ('the earth is Yahweh's and all its fullness') be quoted to support both of these views?
Consider that you were eating and one were to tell you that this meat is from an animal sacrificed unto a false idol. By continuing to eat it the person who told you this may think that you don't acknowledge that the earth is Yahweh's and all its fullness.
Rather they may think that you believe the earth was not created by Yahweh.
Knowing that all things were created by Yahweh is the key to proving that all the idols are worthless because Yahweh truly has made all things.
1Corinthians 10:30 - For if I by favor be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?If we are giving thanks to Yahweh for our food, which He has created, we are acknowledging it was He who has given us these things.
and not an idol
1Corinthians 10:31 - Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of YAHWEH.This is the whole point of what is being said to those in Corinth. Even though they do not recognize that an idol is anything, we do not want to eat anything that might cause Yahweh to be looked upon with a lesser degree of glory.
For truly the earth is Yahweh's! Let's look at another place in 1 Corinthians where Paul originally introduced the subject:
1Corinthians 8:1 - Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.
1Corinthians 8:2 - And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
1Corinthians 8:3 - But if any man love YAHWEH, the same is known of him.
1Corinthians 8:4 - As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other Elohim but one.
1Corinthians 8:5 - For though there be that are called mighty ones, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be mighty ones many, and masters many,)
1Corinthians 8:6 - But to us there is but one Elohim, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Master Yahushua the Messiah, by whom are all things, and we by him.
1Corinthians 8:7 - Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.So here is an example of a weak brother. This particular weak brother can not help but to think of the idol as he eats the meat that might have been sacrificed to an idol.
He even eats it as a thing offered to an idol.
Other believers, who have attained more knowledge and faith, understand that an idol is nothing. They eat with the knowledge that Yahweh has created this food which He is receiving.
1Corinthians 8:8 - But food commendeth us not to YAHWEH: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
1Corinthians 8:9 - But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1Corinthians 8:10 - For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
1Corinthians 8:11 - And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom the Messiah died?Apparently there were some who were so bold about it, they would even go into an idol's temple and eat the meat. This is flatly condemned here.
1Corinthians 8:12 - But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against the Messiah.Yahshua said that what we do to the least of the brethren we do unto Him.
1Corinthians 8:13 - Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.So here we see an example of a weaker brother in the city of Corinth.
I am convinced that we have a similar situation in the city of Rome. However, the believers in Rome are more knowledgable about Yahweh than those in Corinth
It is very obvious that those in Corinth had some major sin to deal with.
1Corinthians 15:34 - Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of Elohim: I speak this to your shame.But those in Rome Paul said:
Romans 15:14 - And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.By this, we could conclude that what we see in Rome is a more advanced situation than the one in Corinth.
Now lets get back to the situation in Romans. Here is verse 1 again:
Romans 14:1 - Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.So again here in Romans we are dealing with a weak brother.
This is much like the situation in 1 Corinthians chapter 8. So we can see that in both the Corinthian and Roman assemblies the common thread was dealing with those who are weak.
Let us now read through the whole chapter before concluding anything.
Part of the problem is that we are dealing with something that both Paul and the Roman assembly are aware of but we are left to figure out what it is.
It is much like listening to one side of a phone conversation.
But keep in mind that this is among the 'doubtful things', so it must not be an issue of whether or not to obey a commandment of Yahweh.
So let's read on:
Romans 14:2 - For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.Here is a very key verse. Clearly it is talking about vegetarianism
The weak person is the one eating vegetables. The question is why is this person considered weak??
Well, remember that we saw a similar situation with a 'weak' brother in the Corinthian assembly. This persons faith was hindered by his temptation to follow an idol.
But this is a more advanced situation in Rome.We find that brothers have taken more of a stance on both sides of the issue.
Romans 14:3 - Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for YAHWEH hath received him.
Romans 14:4 - Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for YAHWEH is able to make him stand.Based on context of this chapter, I believe that what we see here is that some would not eat meat at all for fear that it might have been offered to an idol.
Others believed that since an idol was nothing, they would not ask any questions when buying meat.
Keep in mind that in Rome there were over 1 million people and 400 pagan temples in that city!
This is not unlike the Corinth with its many pagan temples and about a half million people. So it seems that what is being said here is that they should not judge one another based on this issue.
The Roman assembly apparently had a division on this.
Those who did not ask questions when eating the meat were condemned by those who refused to eat anything (for fear it might have been offered to an idol.) This passage refers to the latter as the 'one who is weak'. This is exactly like what we saw in 1 corinthians.
Romans 14:5 - One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Romans 14:6 - He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto YAHWEH; and he that regardeth not the day, to YAHWEH he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to YAHWEH, for he giveth YAHWEH thanks; and he that eateth not, to YAHWEH he eateth not, and giveth YAHWEH thanks.There are various theories on this these 2 verses.
One theory states that this is talking about the Sabbath. There are several reasons why I believe that this is not so
They are:
* This stance does not agree with other scriptures that uphold the Sabbath.
* There is no mention of the Sabbath in this chapter.
* It isn't man who makes the Sabbath day above all other days. It is Yahweh who sanctified and blessed the 7th day at creation. We are just commanded to keep holy what Yahweh has sanctified.
* This chapter is about 'doubtful things'. Commandments of Yahweh are not doubtful things, especially when Yahweh writes them with His own finger.
I believe that this passage is talking about which day that one should fast. This does have support in the text because the scripture says:
Romans 14:6 - He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto YAHWEH; and he that regardeth not the day, to YAHWEH he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to YAHWEH, for he giveth YAHWEH thanks; and he that eateth not, to YAHWEH he eateth not, and giveth YAHWEH thanks.One of the traditions of the Pharisees in that day was to fast twice a week:
Luke 18:11 - The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, Elohim, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luke 18:12 - I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.Also Yahshua expected that His disciples would fast:
Luke 5:34 - And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
Luke 5:35 - But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.So the context of this whole chapter proves out one common thred. The whole chapter is talking about FOOD. Continuing on....
I would submit that it might also be possible it is referring to a certain day that meat was not eaten
This may have been based on the idea that certain days pagan sacrifices were made and the meat sold
However, I cannot prove it
Whether it is a complete fast or a vegetarian fast, it is unclear
Continuing in Romans:
Romans 14:7 - For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
Romans 14:8 - For whether we live, we live unto YAHWEH; and whether we die, we die unto YAHWEH: whether we live therefore, or die, we are YAHWEH's.
Romans 14:9 - For to this end the Messiah both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Sovereign both of the dead and living.
Romans 14:10 - But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of the Messiah.
Romans 14:11 - For it is written, As I live, saith YAHWEH, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to YAHWEH.
Romans 14:12 - So then every one of us shall give account of himself to YAHWEH.
Romans 14:13 - Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.So Paul did not condemn those who would not eat the meat.
He never condemned them in 1 Corinthians either. If he had, it might have caused that brother to stumble because those who had a consciousness of the idol would eat it "as a thing offered to an idol" and their conscience, being weak, would be defiled.
Paul wanted those in Rome keep this in mind. What was condemned here was the attitude of the stronger brother toward the weaker one.
Romans 14:14 - I know, and am persuaded by the Saviour Yahushua , that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Romans 14:15 - But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom the Messiah died.How selfish for a person to trouble another just because He knows that an idol is nothing! But is food offered to an idol unclean?
From what I understand, the common teaching of the Jews in that day was a resounding 'yes'
According to the Encyclopaedia Judaica under the heading "Purity" it says:
"In the case of idolatrous offerings the law is even stricter [than the impurity of the idol itself] and Judah b. Bava says that it conveys impurity by overshadowing, as does a corpse"
The teachings on purity that were handed down to the Jews of this generation went FAR beyond what the word of Yahweh ever taught.
For an example of this, let's look at a situation that Yahshua ran into:
Luke 11:37 - And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.
Luke 11:38 - And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.
Luke 11:39 - And Yahushua said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
Luke 11:40 - Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?Yahshua did not adhere to the teachings handed down from that one must wash their hands before eating dinner.
There is no such commandment in the word of Yahweh.
But to the Pharisees, the hand washings were seemingly of utmost importance.
They were quite particular not only in when to wash their hands, but even how. There were ordinances that you had to wash up to the third joint of the finger with a certain measure of water, etc etc etc.
They focused so much on what might cause them to be impure, they forgot that Yahweh would rather have them focus on what IS pure.
Yahshua told them to 'give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.' In other words, let your hearts and lives be full of compassion, and it will make you clean. Purity comes from within! And so the scripture says:
Titus 1:15 - Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.and again:
James 1:27 - Pure and undefiled religion before YAHWEH the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.and again:
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.So in the eyes of one who has a pure heart before Yahweh, there is no such thing as another deity.
We all know that Yahweh is the only Mighty One.
We all know that Yahweh has sanctified in His word the animals that we can eat and does not forbid us to eat them.
If one wants to offer them to an idol, that is their business but we will give thanks to Yahweh for providing food for us to eat!
However, if what we do eat would not bring honor to Yahweh but we would find out that it was surely offered to an idol..then we would harm our brother who is weak in faith then surely that is not the will of Yahweh.
Romans 14:16 - Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
Romans 14:17 - For the kingdom of YAHWEH is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:18 - For he that in these things serveth the Messiah is acceptable to YAHWEH, and approved of men.
Romans 14:19 - Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Romans 14:20 - For meat destroy not the work of YAHWEH. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.Again the meat itself is pure whether it was offered to an idol it is not common or unclean. From the days of Noah up until now, Yahweh has made man to know the difference between the clean and the unclean. If the scripture states that the animal was clean, then it was clean!
Romans 14:21 - It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.Now here is a very important verse. This is where Paul actually clarifies that he is talking about meat offered to idols. It is hidden from our eyes by translation but it is nonetheless there! Let's look at the greek word that is translated "meat" here...
Actually translated "flesh", not "meat"
BDB/Thayers # 2907 2907 kreas {kreh'-as} perhaps a primary word;; n n AV - flesh 2; 2 1) (the) flesh (of a sacrificed animal)
In fact it is this same word that is used in
1Corinthians 8:13 - Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.This is the only 2 places in the New Testament that it is used. In both cases the context was concerning meat offered to idols
Notice that even though it was obvious from reading the first and second verses of this chapter that he was talking about meat, this is the first time that the food that is spoken of here in Romans is classified as 'meat'. So this certainly clarifies things.
Romans 14:22 - Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before YAHWEH. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Romans 14:23 - And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.If you have any doubts about the earth being Yahweh's and the fullness therein...and are tempted by the idol, then this person is condemned if he eats what he is unsure about
This is exactly what was taught in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10. Therefore it seems very obvious to me that there are alot of parallels between what is said in Romans 14 and what is said in 1 Corinthians.
Based on these things I believe it is very safe to conclude that in both cases Paul is talking about food offered to idols. Paul at no time during this chapter considers 'liberty' a license to sin. Sin is transgression of the law.
If we eat things that Yahweh has commanded not to be eaten, we are not keeping the commandment of Yahweh.
Therefore we are transgressing the law and are sinning. We should know what sin is! Therefore it is sin to eat things that Yahweh has commanded us not to eat!
We can't throw out the whole of scripture that teaches against sin because of a one sided conversation in Romans!
It can not be proven that this chapter is speaking of unclean meats. But it can be proven that it does not.
There are many other passages that teach we should keep the commandments. Here is one example in scripture that shows Yahweh's concern for people who eat unclean animals:
Isaiah 66:17 - They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith YAHWEH.Please examine the context of this chapter. It is speaking of the end times...this has not occured yet.
So yes, Yahweh is still concerned that we do not eat things that are abominations to Him.
There are a few things in Yahweh's word that He considers to be an abomination. Eating the flesh of animals that He did not create us to eat is one of them.
And with that I will close, may Yahweh bless you all!
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