PAUL AND UNCLEAN MEATS 

If what the Defence say is correct concerning the two separate Laws, then Paul denies the food Laws which is one of the Laws of the Kingdom found in Deuteronomy 14, from verse 3, by proclaiming in Romans 14:14 ...

Before we jump to conclusions on this one I would like to point out that this same food Law is also given in Leviticus 11 from verse 1, but in a more extensive form. This was both a Law of Spiritual cleanliness and sanctification (Leviticus 11:44) and a Kingdom Law as a Commandment (Deuteronomy 15:4 & 5) for our physical life, material blessing, and well-being, etc. However, this has nothing to do with what Paul is talking about. The Prosecution here have taken a text out of context, to make a pretext. "Romans" is a letter written by Paul to the saints at Rome for the sole purpose of instructing them (and us) in the basics of what God's Book is all about.

In chapter 14, Paul is trying to sort out a minor difference, which is causing trouble between some sections of this particular group. This disagreement is defined quite clearly in verse 2, and it is still with us today. One faction believes that it can eat meat, and the other group are all vegetarians. The meat-eaters, no doubt, quote the Law as their authority for eating meat, while the other group quote that same law and point out that it is not a commandment to eat meat but simply a list of certain meats, which we may eat if we are foolish enough to do so (Deuteronomy 14:4). And so the dispute continues.

Paul rebukes both sides for their senseless bickering, and urges them to use their heads instead of their emotions and personal inhibitions. Then he states in verse 14 that he (has examined what they are arguing about and) is satisfied that none of the things to which they refer are 'unclean' of themselves, but only so in the mind of the person concerned.

The Greek word for 'unclean' is 'akathartos', but that is NOT the word used in this context. The Greek word translated here as 'unclean' is 'koinos' which means 'common'. So, as Paul says, they were not squabbling about "unclean food" but about clean meats, which, in the minds of some over-scrupulous members, had become 'common' - possibly because of being handled by too many people in the killing, selling, cooking and serving process, and in this way had become 'defiled' to their mind. Thus Paul had satisfied himself that the quality of 'uncleanness' was NOT an actual property of the thing itself, but only a subjective quality in the mind of the person regarding it as 'unclean'. Nevertheless Paul does not dismiss the matter as being childish. He goes on to point out that this subjective quality is quite real to the individual concerned, and other Christians should remember that fact and not cause another to stumble by doing things in front of others who have not got the same understanding of Scripture, as themselves.

Paul says that when one man sees another do something which his own conscience condemns, it causes him pain. But when he is led on to do himself what his own conscience condemns, then he destroys himself morally - for it is fatal to have principles and then disregard them. So, in verse 17, Paul says that you must have some forethought about what you eat and also drink in front of others. For example some people regard it as almost immoral for anyone to drink alcoholic beverages in a public place, lest another Christian - who has not the same will -power - may do the same and so be led on to self-destruction by becoming an incurable alcoholic.

The most likely text that prompted Paul in his advice to the squabblers, was Mark 7 which gives the fullest rendition of our Lord Jesus' views on the defilement (or pollution) of food through handling.