A Second Example

Another common dispute over “doubtful things” has to do with special days. “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike,” Paul writes. In all likelihood, Paul is thinking here of the holy days that were sprinkled throughout the Jewish year. The question of whether Jewish converts to Christianity should continue to observe their Jewish customs was a major issue in the first century, one that was not officially settled until the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). Interestingly, Paul here takes no stand on the issue, but in Galatians 4:10–11 and Colossians 2:16–17 he strongly condemns the observance of special days by Christians. The difference is that in Galatians and Colossians Paul was writing to people who “wanted to mingle diet or celebrations of days with grace as a way of salvation,” Dr. James M. Boice notes. In Romans, however, he is thinking hypothetically about Christians who observe special diets or days out of the conviction that by doing so they will obey or please God.

Paul’s goal here is to use the example of special days to teach his readers how Christians who disagree should get along. He gives three guidelines. First, each believer should be “fully convinced in his own mind.” It is important in the Christian life to have true convictions, settled beliefs at which we have arrived after study, thought, and prayer. It is not enough for us to blindly adopt the beliefs of other Christians we respect; we need to know what we believe and why we believe it. Second, when it comes to “doubtful things,” it is possible to serve God either way. It is possible to observe a special day or not “to the Lord.” And it is possible to eat all foods or only some “to the Lord.” Third, gratitude to God is a useful tool for evaluating a “doubtful thing.” Boice notes that if anyone can give thanks to God for the activity or behavior in which he is engaged, he is doing it unto the Lord. But this principle also can help us determine what to do in gray areas. “What may I do in such and such a situation where the Bible is not explicit or at least where I do not understand how it is explicit?” Boice asks. “One very good answer is this: Can you enjoy it in the Lord and give thanks for it?” If the answer is yes, we can freely engage in the behavior and should not be subjected to scorn from those who are stronger in the faith or judgment by those who are weaker.