Does Romans 14 Abolish the Weekly Sabbath?

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.

Romans 14 has nothing to do with the weekly Sabbath of the fourth commandment, as it focuses entirely on ceremonial days and ritual distinctions regarding foodARSH November 22, 1853, page 156.7+4. The passage addresses disputes among early Christians concerning "weak" faith and "doubtful disputations" rather than the moral law of God Romans 14:1BISA 16.2+1.

The Subject of the Discourse

The primary subject of Romans 14 is the eating of meats versus herbs and the observance of specific ritual days connected to those dietary practicesBISA 16.2+2.

• The word "eat" or "meat" is mentioned dozens of times in the chapter, yet the "Sabbath" is never once introduced as the subjectSDSNA 18.7+1.

• The disputes were over animals considered "unclean" by the Levitical law; some believers were so cautious they would only eat herbs to avoid accidentally consuming something forbidden Romans 14:2ARSH July 16, 1861, page 49.10.

• The "days" mentioned were those distinguished by the ceremonial law, such as new moons, the Passover, and the day of atonementBISA 16.2+1.

Distinction Between Laws

Paul distinguishes between the ceremonial "handwriting of ordinances" and the perpetual moral law contained in the ten commandmentsARSH April 30, 1861, page 191.3+4.

• The moral law, which includes the seventh-day Sabbath, is holy, just, good, and perfect Psalms 19:7+1ARSH December 25, 1856, page 60.17+1.

• The ceremonial law consisted of carnal ordinances and "weak and beggarly elements" that were a shadow of things to come and were nailed to the cross Hebrews 9:10+1ARSH April 30, 1861, page 191.3+3.

• The weekly Sabbath was instituted at creation, before sin entered, and therefore cannot be a "shadow" or a ceremonial ritual that ceased at the cross Genesis 2:1-3ARSH April 30, 1861, page 191.3+2.

Logical Inconsistencies

Claiming that Romans 14:5 refers to the weekly Sabbath creates significant theological contradictionsARSH November 22, 1853, page 156.7+2.

• If "every day alike" included the weekly Sabbath, it would also include the "Lord's day," effectively destroying any obligation to keep the first day of the week as well Romans 14:5+1ARSH November 22, 1853, page 156.7+2.

• It is inconsistent to use Romans 14 to abolish the seventh-day Sabbath while simultaneously demanding the observance of Sunday as a holy dayBISA 16.2+2.

• Paul taught that the law is established through faith, not made void; therefore, he would not teach that a precept of the decalogue is now a matter of indifference Romans 3:31ARSH April 30, 1861, page 191.3+1.

Contextual Usage of "Every Day"

The phrase "every day alike" in Romans 14:5 is limited by the scope of the discourse to the six working days of the week and the various festivals or fasts found in the Mosaic ritual Romans 14:5BISA 16.2+2.

• Just as "whatsoever" in Matthew 5:37 is limited to the subject of conversation and does not exclude judicial oaths, "every day" is limited to the ceremonial days under discussion Matthew 5:37ARSH December 30, 1858, page 44.11.

• Early Christians who were "weak in the faith" still felt bound by these obsolete ritual distinctions, and Paul urged mutual forbearance among them Romans 14:1-6BISA 16.2+1.

• The seventh-day Sabbath remains a permanent sign between God and His people, regardless of the status of ceremonial feast days Exodus 31:13ARSH April 30, 1861, page 191.3+3.