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I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that<\/strong> there is<\/em><\/span> nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is<\/em><\/span> unclean.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n What God forbids for me He may not forbid for you.<\/p>\n \u201cKnow<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek verb eid\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which primarily means \u201cto see.\u201d However, it does not mean to simply to have a visual experience (that would be the Greek verb blep\u014d<\/em><\/span>), but to see with perception. Thus, eid\u014d<\/em> <\/span>refers to the visual perception as well as the mental perception (understanding) of some truth or fact.\u201d It is expressed here in the perfect tense which, in Greek, refers to completed action with a resulting state of being where the emphasis is on the resulting state of being.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cpersuaded<\/span>\u201d is peith\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cto be persuaded or to be convinced.\u201d This verb is also expressed in the perfect tense. So what Paul is saying is, \u201cI have perceived and have been persuaded; therefore, I know and am convinced.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnclean<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek adjective koinos<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cthat which is available to all\u201d or \u201ccommon.\u201d Those things which were forbidden by the Law of Moses were available to the \u201ccommon\u201d people. Therefore, calling something \u201ccommon\u201d was the same as declaring it as \u201cunclean\u201d or \u201cforbidden by the Law.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201cconsiders<\/span>\u201d is translated from logidzomai<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cto reason, to impute, or to consider.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul now gets back to the original topic with which he started off this chapter: whether we should abstain from certain foods or not. He begins this verse by making a strong statement of conviction. He says, \u201cI know and am convinced.<\/span>\u201d \u00a0So, what is Paul so convinced about? He is convinced that \u201cthere is <\/em><\/em><\/span>nothing unclean of itself.<\/span>\u201d The law abiding Jews were forbidden from eating certain foods, which all the rest of mankind were allowed to eat. Since all the common (non-Jewish) people ate this forbidden food it was referred to as common food meaning unclean or forbidden food. But, Paul is now saying that he is convinced that nothing is unclean, or forbidden, in and of itself.<\/p>\n He begins the next phrase with the Greek words ei me<\/em><\/span>, which mean \u201cexcept, unless, or but.\u201d His teaching, therefore, is that even though nothing is in and of itself unclean, if a brother or sister is convicted by God that a certain food or activity is unclean then to him or her it is indeed unclean.<\/p>\n When I was first saved I liked to play pool, a lot! In fact, I spent nearly every waking moment at the pool table. God convicted me about the fact that pool had become more important to me than a relationship with Him. For me, playing pool was unclean, and I had to completely abstain from it in order to learn to get my focus on God. Many years later, after my walk with God had matured, I found that it was no longer wrong for me to play pool. God used this in my life to demonstrate how important it is not to let anything get in the way of my close walk with Him.<\/p>\n Is there something in your life today that is unclean? Something which has come between you and a close fellowship with God? What are you doing about it?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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