Understanding Paul's Counsel on Food and Judgment

Colossians 2:16

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Romans 14

1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

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 God is able to make him stand.

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

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 Christ.

11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

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.

14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

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.

22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Paul’s counsel in Romans 14 and Colossians 2:16 should be understood as referring to human traditions and ceremonial rites rather than as a license to ignore the laws of health or the moral obligation to treat the body as a living sacrifice Romans 12:1GCB February 15, 1895, page 167.1+1. These passages do not refer to what God has commanded in the moral law but to what men have brought in or to the shadows of the ceremonial system that met their fulfillment in Christ Colossians 2:17GCB February 15, 1895, page 167.1+1.

The Distinction of the Two Laws

• The Moral Law: The ten commandments are a spiritual, holy, and perfect transcript of God's character that remain a perpetual obligation for all mankind Romans 7:12, 1419MR 117.2+1.

• The Ceremonial Law: This "handwriting of ordinances" consisted of carnal commandments and shadows, including annual sabbaths and dietary offerings, which were nailed to the cross Colossians 2:14WWNC 16.1+2.

• The Context of Judgment: When Paul tells the Colossians not to let anyone judge them in meat or drink, he is referring to these ceremonial shadows and the distinctions of festivals and new moons, not the health principles given by God Colossians 2:16-17GCB February 15, 1895, page 167.1+1.

• Avoiding Misapplication: It is improper to use these texts against the Sabbath or health reform because they specifically address Jewish ceremonial institutions that ceased at the crucifixionGCB February 15, 1895, page 167.1+2.

** Romans 14 and Mutual Forbearance**

• Ceremonial Meats: In Romans 14 the apostle is addressing a controversy regarding the use of meats offered to idols or specific fast days observed by some but not others Romans 14:2-6PTJW November 1850, page 87.7+1.

• A Call for Peace: Paul was enjoining mutual forbearance between Jewish and Gentile converts so that those with different scruples regarding ceremonial "herbs" or "days" would not judge one another Romans 14:3, 13PTJW November 1850, page 87.7+1.

• Not a Dismissal of Health: These instructions do not imply that physical life can be treated in a haphazard manner, as every fiber of the being is to be sacredly guarded from harmful practicesCD 19.2+1.

• The Kingdom Goal: Paul emphasizes that the kingdom of God is not merely "meat and drink," but righteousness and peace, yet this does not negate the requirement to eat and drink to the glory of God Romans 14:172T 65.2+1.

The Health Message as True Religion

• Total Abstinence: True religion produces the fruit of abstinence from all hurtful food and drink, as a thoroughly converted person will abandon every injurious habitCH 444.1+1.

• A Living Sacrifice: God requires us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, which is impossible if we indulge in health-destroying habits or stimulating foods that becloud the moral perceptions Romans 12:12T 65.2+2.

• The Influence of Diet: Whatever is taken into the stomach affects the mind, and gross or stimulating food often dulls the reason and conscience, making it difficult to exercise self-controlTSDF 57.2+1.

• Progressive Reform: While we are not to make the use of flesh meat a test or force others, we must bear a clear testimony that its use is contrary to the best development of physical and mental powersEv 664.4+1.

Principles of Christian Courtesy

• Individual Responsibility: Every person stands in their individual dignity before God and should not make any human being their criterion or judge8MR 350.1.

• Avoiding Criticism: Reformers should be the most kind and unselfish, avoiding faultfinding or chiding, as the less we criticize others, the greater our influence for goodEv 537.2+1.

• The Power of Example: Those who advocate health reform should present its advantages in the best light through their own tables, commending the principles to the judgment of othersTSDF 42.3.

• Meeting People Where They Are: In teaching these truths, we must be tactful and consider that it takes time for the taste to recover from long-held abuses4aSG 130.3+1.