Put To Use

I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself;  Romans 14:14

Unclean – Chapter 14 of the letter to the Romans is often used to defend the idea that Torah instructions no longer apply to Christians.  In particular, some verses in this chapter are used to set aside the dietary laws of the Torah.  Translations incorporate this position in the language.  That’s why it is so important to be able to understand the original language and not rely solely on the translator.  Let’s look at this verse in Greek, consider its Hebrew background, and see if Paul is really saying that nothing is unclean.

The Greek phrase is ouden koinon di eautou.  Literally, this says “not even (strong negative) is (implied verb) common or ordinary or profane in itself.”  Do you see something in the Greek here that you recognize?  It’s the word koinos which we usually find in church circles as koine.  The New Testament is written in koine Greek.  What does that mean?  It means it was written in common Greek, not the Greek of the academies or the courts, but the Greek spoken in the streets.  Try substituting this translation in the verse above.  What do you get?  “Nothing is common in itself.”  This translation emphasizes a Hebrew principle.  God is the sovereign Lord of all creation.  Everything has sacred potential.  There is nothing that does not in some way bear the stamp or mark of the Creator.  If oxen and lands, spoons and people can be dedicated to the Lord, then the implication is that anything can become set apart for Him. 

Now let’s put Paul’s remark back into its Jewish/Hebrew context.  David Stern says, “His remark has to do not with human behavior but with tum’ah (“ritual uncleanliness”).”  Leon Morris adds, “Paul is denying that there is such a thing as ceremonial uncleanness; that is impossible if we take seriously what God has done in Christ. . . All of life is God’s, and there is no ceremonial area from which he is excluded.”

What does this mean?  Paul is not talking about food that you eat.  He is talking about the rabbinic teaching that some things are essentially profane, that some things are outside the parameters of God’s rule and reign.  Paul says that nothing is excluded from sacredness to God and that nothing is excluded from worshipping God.  But that is not the same as saying that we can do whatever we want under God’s reign.  While all things are under God and all of creation is intended to worship Him, there is still a proper order to the purposes of everything.  It is God’s order.  He tells us how we are to express our worship to Him with all the things that He has created.  In other words, we are expected to treat the creation in the same way that God treats the creation.  Nothing is exempt – and nothing is excluded.

What, then, is the governing principle for my actions?  Consideration of others.  If my treatment of part of God’s creation, designed to display His majesty in proper use and order, causes someone else to stumble, then I undo the grace and consideration shown to me by Yeshua Adonai.  What should I do?  I should consider how my actions affect God’s grace among others.  That is my duty toward my fellow travelers.  If it costs me (not necessarily in money), why should I complain?  I was purchased at a great price.  Am I not willing to pay the price for another?

Does this mean that I don’t keep Torah?  Of course not.  But it does mean that I don’t press Torah on those who do not see its freedom and grace, nor do I flaunt my freedom in Torah before others.  I live unto the Lord, obeying His instructions, but always with an eye toward my fellows who must see the heart of the Father in my actions.

Topical Index:  unclean, tum’ah, ritual, koinos, common, Romans 14:14