Sermons on Romans 14:5-6
The various sermons below converge on the understanding that Romans 14:5-6 addresses the principle of Christian liberty concerning the observance of special days, emphasizing that such practices are ultimately matters of personal conviction done "unto the Lord." They collectively stress the importance of mutual respect and the avoidance of judgment among believers, highlighting the relational dynamics between "stronger" and "weaker" brethren or those with differing convictions. A common thread is the distinction between moral commands, which are universally binding, and adiaphora—matters of conscience such as days and dietary practices. Nuances emerge in how these sermons interpret the nature of the days mentioned: some see them as voluntary fasts or devotional days rather than the Sabbath, while others underscore the ambiguity Paul intentionally leaves to focus on principle over specifics. The sermons also explore the pastoral implications of legalism, judgmentalism, and the risk of obscuring Christ with secondary issues, urging a balance between freedom and responsibility. Additionally, there is a shared recognition that Christian liberty must be exercised with humility, avoiding spiritual superiority or the imposition of uniformity.
Contrasts arise primarily in the theological framing and the weight given to the Sabbath as a creation ordinance versus a cultural or Mosaic institution. One approach insists that the Sabbath is a universal, creation-based command that remains relevant and distinct from the "days" Paul references, which are seen as voluntary and non-binding. Another perspective treats all special days—including the Sabbath and non-biblical observances like Lent—as matters of individual conscience, neither commanded nor forbidden, thus fully within the realm of Christian freedom. Some sermons emphasize the relational accountability of believers solely to God, rejecting human judgment over sacred days, while others focus more on the communal dynamics and the pastoral need to guard against legalism and judgmental attitudes. There is also divergence in how the "strong" and "weak" are characterized, with some reversing common assumptions about who is truly strong in faith. Finally, the sermons differ in their treatment of tradition and law: some critique both restrictive formalism and unbridled freedom, advocating for a mature, nuanced liberty grounded in Christ’s fulfillment of the law, while others highlight the practical pastoral need to respect diverse convictions without pressuring conformity
Romans 14:5-6 Interpretation:
The Sabbath: A Universal Creation Ordinance for Humanity (Ligonier Ministries) offers a unique and detailed interpretation of Romans 14:5-6 by situating Paul's comments about esteeming days within the broader context of Romans 13 and 14. The sermon argues that Paul is primarily addressing issues of food, drink, and self-control, with the mention of days being almost incidental and likely referring to personal days of fasting or devotion rather than the Sabbath. The preacher critiques many commentators for not considering the broader literary context, suggesting that the "days" in question are not the Sabbath but rather voluntary practices adopted by "weaker brethren" to aid in self-discipline. This interpretation is supported by a close reading of the Greek text, particularly the flow of argument from Romans 13:12 onward, and by distinguishing between the Mosaic law and creation ordinances. The sermon also uses the analogy of "stronger" and "weaker" brethren, emphasizing that the stronger do not require special days for self-control, while the weaker may benefit from them, but neither should judge the other. This nuanced approach stands out for its contextual and linguistic depth, as well as its insistence that Romans 14:5-6 does not abrogate the Sabbath as a creation ordinance.
Understanding Christian Freedom and Jewish Customs (David Guzik) interprets Romans 14:5-6 as a principle of Christian liberty, where the observance of special days (such as the Sabbath) or dietary restrictions is left to the individual conscience, provided it is done "unto the Lord" and not as a means of establishing righteousness before God. Guzik emphasizes that Paul is willing to leave such matters to personal conviction, as long as they are not used to judge others or to claim spiritual superiority. He draws a clear line between moral commands (which are universally binding) and matters of conscience (such as days and foods), using Romans 14:5-6 to argue for liberty and mutual respect among believers. While this is a common interpretation, Guzik adds a practical pastoral application by warning against the dangers of legalism, judgmentalism, and obscuring Christ with secondary issues.
Embracing the Sabbath: Freedom, Diversity, and Renewal (Alistair Begg) offers a nuanced interpretation of Romans 14:5-6, focusing on the ambiguity of "the day" Paul references. Begg explores whether Paul is referring to the Jewish Sabbath, the Lord’s Day (Sunday), or another special day, ultimately arguing that Paul intentionally leaves it undefined to highlight the principle rather than the specific day. He uniquely frames the "weak" and "strong" in faith as those who, respectively, insist on observing certain days and those who see such observance as indifferent, challenging common assumptions about spiritual strength. Begg also uses the analogy of restrictive formalism versus unbridled freedom, suggesting that personality and background influence how believers approach such matters. He emphasizes that the law provides a comprehensive ethic but not exhaustive application, and that Christ’s fulfillment of the law liberates believers from Mosaic specifics, making the application of days a matter of personal conviction rather than uniformity.
Embracing Grace in Diverse Convictions of Faith (Pastor Chuck Smith) interprets Romans 14:5-6 by drawing a vivid analogy between believers and household servants, where only the master (God) has the right to judge the servant’s conduct. Smith applies this to the issue of sacred days, noting that early Christians—especially Jewish converts—brought their traditions into the church, leading to disputes over which day to worship. He distinguishes between those who esteem one day and those who regard every day alike, sharing his own practice of dedicating every day to the Lord. Smith’s unique contribution is his focus on the relational dynamic between servant and master, and his insistence that each believer’s conviction is a matter of personal obedience to God, not subject to the judgment of others.
Understanding Lent: Freedom, Intent, and Spiritual Growth (David Guzik) interprets Romans 14:5-6 as a foundational text for Christian liberty in non-biblical practices such as Lent. Guzik’s novel insight is his categorization of practices as biblical, unbiblical, and non-biblical, placing Lent and similar observances in the non-biblical category—neither commanded nor forbidden. He applies Romans 14:5-6 to argue that believers are free to observe or not observe such days, provided their actions are done "unto the Lord" and not out of legalism or self-righteousness. Guzik’s interpretation is marked by a strong emphasis on individual conscience and the avoidance of judgment between believers over these matters.
Romans 14:5-6 Theological Themes:
The Sabbath: A Universal Creation Ordinance for Humanity (Ligonier Ministries) introduces the distinct theological theme that the Sabbath is a creation ordinance, not merely a Mosaic institution, and therefore cannot be dismissed by appeals to Christian liberty in Romans 14:5-6. The sermon argues that the seven-day week is rooted in divine revelation rather than natural cycles, and that the Sabbath was established for all humanity, not just Israel. This leads to the assertion that Paul's comments in Romans 14:5-6 about esteeming days do not refer to the Sabbath, but to other voluntary observances, thus preserving the Sabbath's ongoing relevance. The sermon also explores the idea that the Sabbath points to an eschatological rest, embedding it within the broader narrative of creation and redemption.
Understanding Christian Freedom and Jewish Customs (David Guzik) adds a nuanced facet to the theme of Christian liberty by identifying three specific dangers when Christians adopt Jewish customs: (1) believing such practices make one more righteous, (2) developing a sense of superiority over others, and (3) allowing these customs to obscure the centrality of Christ. Guzik's application of Romans 14:5-6 is thus not only about liberty but also about the spiritual posture and relational dynamics within the church, highlighting the importance of humility and Christ-centeredness in the exercise of freedom.
Embracing the Sabbath: Freedom, Diversity, and Renewal (Alistair Begg) introduces the theme that the law of God binds believers only to Christ and His word, not to human traditions or taboos lacking biblical sanction. He adds a fresh angle by critiquing both restrictive formalism and unbridled freedom, suggesting that true Christian liberty involves resisting both legalistic impositions and careless disregard for tradition, and that the risk of freedom is an essential part of spiritual maturity and parenting.
Embracing Grace in Diverse Convictions of Faith (Pastor Chuck Smith) presents the distinct theme that each believer is ultimately accountable to God alone, not to other believers or church authorities, for their convictions about sacred days. He deepens this by emphasizing the importance of teaching believers to stand before God themselves, rather than relying on human leaders for spiritual direction, and by highlighting the diversity of convictions as a legitimate expression of obedience to Christ.
Understanding Lent: Freedom, Intent, and Spiritual Growth (David Guzik) adds the unique theological theme of categorizing Christian practices into biblical, unbiblical, and non-biblical, and insists that Christian liberty must be exercised without judgment or pressure. He further develops the idea that spiritual disciplines like Lent are only valuable if they are freely chosen and directed toward Christ, not as a means of earning righteousness or imposing uniformity.
Romans 14:5-6 Historical and Contextual Insights:
The Sabbath: A Universal Creation Ordinance for Humanity (Ligonier Ministries) provides substantial historical and cultural context by tracing the origin of the Sabbath to creation rather than to the Mosaic covenant. The sermon notes that the seven-day week is unique among time measurements in that it is not based on natural phenomena but on divine revelation, and that evidence of a seven-day week and Sabbath-like observance appears in Genesis and Exodus prior to Sinai. The preacher also discusses the relative paucity of specific Sabbath regulations in the Old Testament, contrasting this with later Pharisaic traditions, and emphasizes that the Sabbath was intended as a universal blessing for humanity, not merely a Jewish ritual. This historical grounding is used to argue that the Sabbath's relevance transcends the Mosaic law and should not be set aside lightly in Christian practice.
Embracing the Sabbath: Freedom, Diversity, and Renewal (Alistair Begg) provides detailed historical context by discussing the early church’s transition from Jewish Sabbath observance to the Lord’s Day, referencing Acts 20:7 and the fulfillment of Mosaic law in Christ. He explains the cultural pressures faced by early Christians—especially Jewish believers—who struggled with the continuity and discontinuity of Sabbath observance, and how disputes over days reflected broader tensions about law and grace in the first-century church.
Embracing Grace in Diverse Convictions of Faith (Pastor Chuck Smith) offers historical context by describing the early church’s debates over which day to worship, noting that many Jewish Christians retained their traditions while Gentile believers favored Sunday worship. He references early church fathers like Justin Martyr and Tertullian, clarifying that the shift to Sunday worship predated Constantine and was rooted in theological reflection on Christ’s resurrection and new beginnings.
Romans 14:5-6 Cross-References in the Bible:
Understanding Christian Freedom and Jewish Customs (David Guzik) references several biblical passages to support and expand on Romans 14:5-6. Colossians 2:16-17 is cited to argue that food laws and festival observances are "a shadow of things to come," with Christ as the substance, thus freeing believers from legalistic judgments about such matters. 1 Timothy 4:4-5 is used to affirm that all foods are pure and that all days belong to God, reinforcing the principle of liberty. Romans 14:10 is referenced to warn against judging or showing contempt for fellow believers over disputable matters, and the broader context of Romans 14 is invoked to distinguish between moral absolutes and matters of conscience. These cross-references collectively support Guzik's interpretation that Christian liberty should be exercised with humility and without judgment.
The Sabbath: A Universal Creation Ordinance for Humanity (Ligonier Ministries) cross-references Genesis 2:1-3, Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 5, and Exodus 16 to establish the Sabbath's origin in creation and its observance prior to the giving of the law at Sinai. The sermon also references Jesus' statement that "the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" to underscore its universal intent. These passages are used to argue that the Sabbath is not merely a Jewish or Mosaic institution, but a creation ordinance with ongoing significance.
Embracing the Sabbath: Freedom, Diversity, and Renewal (Alistair Begg) cross-references Galatians 4:9-11 and Colossians 2:16-17 to show how Paul addresses the futility of seeking acceptance with God through observance of special days, months, and Sabbaths. Begg uses these passages to argue that Paul is not dismissing the moral law but warning against legalistic or superstitious observance. He also references Acts 20:7 to support the practice of worship on the Lord’s Day, and alludes to the Decalogue and the fulfillment of Mosaic law in Christ.
Embracing Grace in Diverse Convictions of Faith (Pastor Chuck Smith) references Acts 10 (Peter’s vision of the sheet) to illustrate the persistence of Jewish dietary and Sabbath traditions among early Christians. He also cites 1 Corinthians 5 (judgment seat of Christ) and Revelation 20 (great white throne judgment) to distinguish between different types of divine judgment and reinforce the principle of individual accountability before God.
Understanding Lent: Freedom, Intent, and Spiritual Growth (David Guzik) references Galatians 5:1 to emphasize Christian liberty, Acts 2:42 to define biblical practices, and Matthew 17:21 to discuss fasting. He also alludes to the Nazarite vow in the Old and New Testaments as a precedent for voluntary self-denial, and uses Matthew 7:21 and other passages to clarify the nature of saving faith and obedience.
Romans 14:5-6 Christian References outside the Bible:
Embracing the Sabbath: Freedom, Diversity, and Renewal (Alistair Begg) explicitly references the Westminster Confession of Faith to support the principle that believers are free from human directives in matters of faith and worship that lack biblical sanction. He also quotes Scottish theologian Donnie McCloud, who warns against the tendency of church leaders and believers to multiply taboos and directives, and highlights the "childishness" in believers that craves such securities. These references are used to reinforce the sermon’s argument for liberty of conscience and resistance to legalism.
Romans 14:5-6 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Embracing the Sabbath: Freedom, Diversity, and Renewal (Alistair Begg) uses a detailed secular analogy of time management: he describes a hypothetical bank account that credits each person with 86,400 dollars (seconds) each day, which cannot be carried over or saved. This metaphor is used to illustrate the importance of investing time wisely, particularly in the context of the Lord’s Day, and to encourage listeners to consider how they use their time for spiritual purposes without falling into legalism or self-righteousness.