Daniel's Literal Translation and Commentary

 

The Renewed Covenant by Daniel Gregg

 

"Romans 14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. "All things indeed are pure;" but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence" (DLT: torahtimes.org).

Comment: Paul is introducing an argument "All things indeed are pure", which he concedes for the sake of his point, not because it is always true.  By "pure" he means only to concede that given the right circumstances one can come up with some situation where eating each kind of unclean thing is an innocent compromise.  It the idea that if you allow a little compromise, then the majority naturally extrapolates it into an unnecessarily large one by continually extending justifications for every compromise.  That's human nature.  By mercy we must allow reasonable compromises, and then along comes the lawless lawless to turn it into license for everything.  Paul's comeback after conceding the reducio ad absurdum of the point is that anyone who stumbles and eats something he knows he shouldn't is committing evil.   Paul is leaning on the Holy Spirit to convict the conscience here and put a stop to the extreme slippery slope of "All things indeed are pure".  They aren't, and that not what allowing some compromises is supposed to teach.  It's just merciful overlooking and not  condemning believers who we know can't change it.

 

Try to turn it into a general rejection of the Torah if you want.  But did we see Naaman teaching all Israel that it was all right to kneel in front of idols because the prophet allowed him to help an old pagan king?  Not at all!  Naaman was really concerned.  That's why he asked the prophet.  He knew he was getting a dispensation to compromise without compromising his new faith.  Far be it from him to turn it into a new doctrine of lawlessness. (DLC: torahtimes.org)

Daniel's Literal Translation and Commentary: (http://www.torahtimes.org/translation/rom1420.html)

All Rights Reserved, 2009 by Daniel Gregg.   No part of this article may be copied without including the above reference to the author's original: torahtimes.org.  It is preferable only to include what is in the boxes, however the live link in the second box may be omitted if necessary.

 

Policy

Return to Index Page

Torahtimes Home Page