He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who is eating, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who is not eating, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
Truth to Learn
Convictions are good if properly focused.
Behind the Words
The word translated “observes” is from the Greek verb phroneō. This word literally means “to use the mind.” It has a number of nuance interpretations in English, such as “to have a mindset about,” “to be mentally inclined toward,” “to interest oneself in,” or “to be of an opinion about.” This is the same word that Paul used back in Romans 8:5, translated as “set their minds on,”
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
This word indicates more than simply an occasional thought about something. It implies more of a state of mind or what we would call a conviction.
“Gives thanks” is from eucharisteō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to grant as an undeserved favor or as an act of grace.” Thus, eucharisteō means “to show good favor,” that is, “to express gratitude.” From this comes the English expression “to say grace” before eating a meal. Whatever we do, whether it is eating or some other action, we should give God thanks for it.
Meaning Explained
Paul now makes his summary statement regarding what he has said in the previous four verses. Whether it is regarding one day as special or abstaining from certain kinds of foods, there is no right or wrong belief. What is important is that the belief, or conviction, is focused on God, not on self. Unfortunately, our earthly flesh tends to make us believe that everyone should behave the way that we do with regard to the things that we have a strong conviction about. However, God does not give all Christians the same convictions.
Now, what Paul says is that the spiritually mature Christian who believes that Sunday is a day sacred to the Lord does so to honor God. And the spiritually mature Christian who believes that all seven days of the week are equally sacred does so to honor God. Likewise, the spiritually mature Christian who believes that certain foods should not be eaten does so because it honors God and the spiritually mature Christian who believes that all foods are given by the Lord as acceptable gives honor to God as he or she eats them. In each case what is done or not done is because of a conviction that it honors the Lord.
The crux of what Paul is saying is that the focus of all mature Christians should be on glorifying God. When we honor God in anything we necessarily lift Him up, which by the very definition means that we lower, or humble, ourselves before Him. It’s a matter of where our focus is.
Application
If you have been critical of another Christian for not having the same conviction that you do, then you need to refocus that conviction God-ward instead of man-ward.
In God's service, for His glory,
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