Romans 14:5 kjv
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Romans 14:5 nkjv
One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.
Romans 14:5 niv
One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.
Romans 14:5 esv
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.
Romans 14:5 nlt
In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.
Romans 14 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Col 2:16 | Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. | Freedom from ceremonial law |
| Gal 4:10-11 | You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid for you, lest I have labored over you in vain. | Warning against return to legalistic observance |
| Matt 12:8 | For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath. | Christ's authority over the Sabbath |
| Mk 2:27-28 | And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath... | Sabbath made for humanity, not a burden |
| 1 Cor 8:7-13 | But not all possess this knowledge... | Conscience of weaker brother in matters of food |
| 1 Cor 10:23-33 | “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful... | Using Christian freedom to edify others |
| Rom 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind... | Renewed mind for discerning God's will |
| Rom 13:5 | Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. | Conscience as a guide to submission |
| 1 Tim 4:1-5 | For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving... | Rejection of legalistic food restrictions |
| Titus 1:15 | To the pure, all things are pure, but to defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure... | Purity comes from internal faith, not external rules |
| Acts 15:28-29 | For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements... | Jerusalem Council decision on Gentile converts |
| Rom 14:1-3 | As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over disputable matters. | Welcoming diverse beliefs without judgment |
| Rom 14:6 | The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord... | Motivation behind observances should be for Christ |
| Rom 15:1-7 | We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. | Strong should bear with the weak |
| Eph 4:1-3 | ...bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. | Unity in love despite differences |
| Phil 2:1-4 | Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love... | Unity and selflessness within the church |
| Gal 5:1 | For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. | Maintaining spiritual freedom from legalism |
| Php 2:12 | Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. | Individual responsibility in faith and practice |
| Rom 2:14-16 | For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves... | Internal conscience can guide actions |
| 1 John 3:20-21 | For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart... | Heart and conscience before God |
| Heb 4:9-10 | So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God... | Spiritual rest in Christ replaces literal Sabbath |
Romans 14 verses
Romans 14 5 Meaning
Romans 14:5 addresses the topic of disputable matters, specifically regarding the observance of particular days for religious reasons. The verse states that some believers conscientiously value certain days more than others, perhaps for festivals, Sabbaths, or fasts. In contrast, others consider all days to be spiritually equal, not observing any specific day above others for ritualistic reasons. The central instruction given by the Apostle Paul is that each individual must arrive at their own deeply held conviction regarding these matters, guided by their conscience before God.
Romans 14 5 Context
Romans chapter 14 addresses issues of Christian liberty and conscience within the diverse Roman church, which consisted of both Jewish and Gentile believers. These communities grappled with practices stemming from their previous backgrounds that were not foundational to salvation but could cause division. The "disputable matters" mentioned in 14:1 specifically concern food laws (eating meat, abstaining from certain foods) and the observance of particular days (Sabbath, festivals, fasts). Jewish believers, often referred to as "weak in faith" in this context due to their continued adherence to aspects of the Mosaic Law, might abstain from meat or observe specific days. In contrast, Gentile believers, or "strong in faith," understood these as no longer binding under the New Covenant in Christ and thus saw all foods and days as spiritually equal. Paul aims to prevent judgment, contempt, and division among believers due to these differences, emphasizing mutual acceptance, love, and each individual's accountability to the Lord in matters of personal conviction.
Romans 14 5 Word analysis
- One person (ὃς μὲν γάρ - hos men gar): Introduces the first viewpoint, highlighting an individual, implying personal choice rather than a universal requirement.
- esteems (κρίνει - krinei): This Greek verb means to judge, discern, distinguish, or prefer. It suggests a deliberate, conscientious evaluation and decision, not just a casual opinion.
- one day above another (ἡμέραν παρ᾽ ἡμέραν - hēmeran par' hēmeran): This refers to a person considering certain days as spiritually more significant, holy, or appropriate for religious observance (like specific Jewish festivals, fasts, or the weekly Sabbath) than others.
- another (ὃς δὲ - hos de): Introduces the contrasting viewpoint from a different individual within the community.
- esteems every day alike (πᾶσαν ἡμέραν κρίνει - pasan hēmeran krinei): This perspective views all days as having equal spiritual value and importance, therefore not seeing a specific obligation to observe certain days over others in a ceremonial sense. This does not mean they view days as unimportant, but that special significance isn't inherent to certain calendar days post-Christ.
- Let each be fully convinced (ἕκαστος ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ νοῒ πληροφορείσθω - hekastos en tō idiō noi plērophoreisthō): This is a crucial command.
- ἕκαστος (hekastos): "Each one," emphasizing individual responsibility.
- πληροφορείσθω (plērophoreisthō): A passive imperative, meaning "let him be fully assured," "let him be entirely persuaded," or "let him be completely satisfied." It implies an active process of seeking conviction through prayer, study of Scripture, and consideration, so one acts out of deep certainty and good conscience. It's not about being stubbornly opinionated but sincerely persuaded.
- in his own mind (ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ νοῒ - en tō idiō noi): Highlights that this conviction must be personal and internal, residing within one's own understanding, conscience, and reasoning before God. It emphasizes individual accountability and discourages imposing one's personal convictions on others regarding these non-essential matters.
Romans 14 5 Bonus section
This verse implies that sincere faith, motivated by devotion to the Lord, legitimizes different practices in areas not explicitly commanded or forbidden by essential Christian doctrine. It acts as a bulwark against legalism, which demands conformity to non-essential rules, and against licentiousness, which dismisses the sensitivity of other believers' consciences. The underlying message is that individual practice in these areas should stem from personal conviction, honoring God, rather than social pressure or judgment from other believers. This principle remains highly relevant for countless "disputable matters" that continue to arise in the church today, from worship styles to forms of entertainment or specific dietary choices, all of which should be approached with love, discernment, and personal conviction before God.
Romans 14 5 Commentary
Romans 14:5 provides a foundational principle for navigating "disputable matters" (adiaphora) within the Christian church. Paul presents two valid, differing convictions regarding religious day observance: some believers hold certain days sacred, while others see all days as equal. Crucially, he does not endorse one view over the other but instead mandates individual spiritual integrity. The command "Let each be fully convinced in his own mind" underscores the importance of a well-formed conscience rooted in personal understanding and conviction before God. This means believers should not act arbitrarily, nor should they impose their convictions on others. The goal is unity in Christ, not uniformity in non-essential practices, promoting mutual acceptance and avoiding judgment.