One person regards one day holier than other days, and another regards them all alike. Each must be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day does it for the Lord. The one who eats, eats for the Lord because he gives thanks to God, and the one who abstains from eating abstains for the Lord, and he gives thanks to God. Romans 14:5-6 NET
The phrase in bold above seems out of place in this section of Romans. However, keep in mind that the main thrust of Paul’s letter is summarizing God’s historical interaction with mankind. A refresher on its structure is found in these BibleProject videos Romans Part 1 and Romans Part 2.
Although some interpret “Each must be fully convinced in his own mind” as an invitation to “stand firm” about such things as holidays and eating habits, I believe it’s more likely Paul meant it as encouragement for individual recipients of his letter to grasp (be fully convinced of) the “basics of our faith” which he skillfully laid out in Romans 1-13. If vital narratives in scripture are firm in each believer’s mind, peripheral issues can be placed in proper perspective. Refocusing on the basics would have furthered restoration of unity in the Roman community which had splintered for all the wrong reasons.
Also keep in mind Paul’s unique mission. Just after Jesus met him on his way to persecute Christians in Damascus, God famously gave this revelation about Paul to Ananias…
“…this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Acts 9:15-16 NET
Paul then began recalibrating his already extensive biblical knowledge around the person of Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. While doing so, God revealed compelling scriptural grounds for conveying the Gospel message not only to Jews, but to Gentiles. Theologians gauge this groundbreaking process took around 14 to17 years. We shouldn’t underestimate the arduous nature of that undertaking.
After Paul began the “boots on the ground” segment of his world-changing ministry, Acts 15 tells us he worked out some details with the Jerusalem apostles, strengthening and affirming God’s call.
As a result, Romans is a stunningly coherent distillation of Paul’s many years of scriptural discoveries, affirmation from other apostles, and sufferings he experienced in bringing the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles alike. Paul’s insistence that “Each must be fully convinced in his own mind” directs the church in Rome to regularly bathe in the unfathomable depths of God’s plan of redemption in Jesus Christ, encapsulated in the first three sections of the letter they’d just received.
Returning to the well of the Good News of Jesus’ loving care for mankind restores and maintains unity.
In many of his other letters Paul affirms his persistent pursuit of Jesus. Here is one example.
…with this goal [perfection in Christ Jesus] in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways. Philippians 3:14-15 NET
In Summary, to fully experience unity in community, we must center our fighting energy on maintaining and furthering the Gospel — not disputing matters of individual custom, observance or preference.
by Kathleen Petersen
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