What's easily missed here is that the act of giving thanks is the key that sanctifies both eating freely and abstaining from certain foods or days. Whether you're feasting or fasting, if you're thanking God for it, your practice is acceptable to Him.
The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing a significant tension within the early church, particularly between Jewish and Gentile believers. Some Christians were still strictly observing Jewish dietary laws and holy days, while others, freed by Christ, felt these were no longer binding. This verse reassures both sides that their sincere intentions to honor God, whether by observing certain days or by freely eating all foods (with thanksgiving), are acceptable to Him.
Do you ever wonder if God even notices the small stuff? Like what you eat, or if you keep a certain day holy? Paul says He absolutely does.
Paul lays out a crucial principle here: the intention behind an action matters immensely to God. Whether someone observes a specific day or eats a certain food, the key is why they are doing it.
Motive Matters
This isn't about whether the day or the food itself is inherently holy, but that the believer's heart is focused on honoring God through their obedience and gratitude.
What makes a meal sacred? What hallows even an act of not eating? Paul points to something simple yet profound: gratitude.
Paul highlights the act of giving thanks as a critical element that makes actions acceptable to God. It's the thread that connects seemingly different practices into a unified act of worship.
Ask a follow-up
The Power of Gratitude
This principle shows that gratitude isn't just a polite custom; it's an act of faith that acknowledges God's sovereignty and goodness, sanctifying whatever we do.
Understand the original words
kyriō · Greek Noun
In a biblical context, to honor someone is to show high respect, esteem, or reverence. When directed toward the Lord, it signifies recognizing His authority, worth, and supremacy in all aspects of life.
eucharistei · Greek Verb
To offer expressions of gratitude or praise to God for His character, works, or providence. In the life of a believer, it is a response of faith acknowledging God's sovereignty and goodness.
The tension in Romans 14 stems from the clash between Jewish believers deeply rooted in Old Testament laws and Gentile believers who were not bound by them. Paul's encouragement to focus on honoring the Lord, regardless of specific practices like observing certain days or dietary choices, aimed to foster unity in a diverse early church.
c. 200 BC - AD 30
Jewish Purity Laws and Feasts
For centuries, Jewish tradition deeply ingrained laws about clean and unclean foods, as well as specific religious festivals and days of observance. These practices were central to Jewish identity and worship.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Death
Jesus' teachings often challenged superficial religious observance and emphasized inner heart transformation over strict adherence to external rules.
c. AD 30-50
Early Church Growth and Gentile Inclusion
The Gospel spread rapidly, leading to significant numbers of Gentiles (non-Jews) joining the Christian faith. This created tension as Jewish believers often struggled to let go of Old Testament laws regarding food and festivals.
c. AD 49
Council of Jerusalem
To address conflicts over Gentile inclusion, the apostles and elders met to determine which Mosaic laws (if any) applied to Gentile believers. They decreed that Gentiles need not be circumcised but should abstain from certain practices.
c. AD 50-60— this verse
Paul's Ministry and Letters
Paul traveled widely, establishing churches and addressing issues arising from the integration of Jewish and Gentile believers. His letters, including Romans, seek to unify the church by explaining Christian freedom and mutual respect.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of Romans 14:6, stating that whether we eat or drink, or do anything else, we should do it all for God's glory, emphasizing that our every action, including daily practices like eating, is meant to honor Him.
Colossians 3:17This verse provides a foundational principle for the entire chapter of Romans 14, instructing that whatever we do, in word or deed, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. This reinforces the idea that every action, even seemingly small ones like observing a day or eating certain foods, is consecrated when done with a heart of thanksgiving and directed towards God.
1 Timothy 4:4-5This passage directly supports the idea that all of creation is sanctified through the Word of God and prayer, and that nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. This provides the theological basis for why both the one who eats and the one who abstains can do so to the Lord, as both actions, when accompanied by gratitude, are deemed acceptable.
Matthew 15:36This verse shows Jesus himself giving thanks to God before distributing food to the multitude, illustrating the honorable practice of giving thanks for meals. This practice, highlighted in Romans 14:6, is shown to be a significant way believers honor God in their daily activities.
ellicottRomans 14:6: "He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks."
(6) Regardeth. —Much as we might say, “he who minds the day,” or directs his thoughts and feelings to it. He that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.—This clause is omitted by the best MSS. and editors…
vincentRomans 14:6: "He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks."
He that regardeth not - doth not regard itOmit.
What's easily missed here is that the act of giving thanks is the key that sanctifies both eating freely and abstaining from certain foods or days. Whether you're feasting or fasting, if you're thanking God for it, your practice is acceptable to Him.
Paul is addressing a significant tension within the early church, particularly between Jewish and Gentile believers. Some Christians were still strictly observing Jewish dietary laws and holy days, while others, freed by Christ, felt these were no longer binding. This verse reassures both sides that their sincere intentions to honor God, whether by observing certain days or by freely eating all foods (with thanksgiving), are acceptable to Him.
Paul is addressing a significant tension within the early church, particularly between Jewish and Gentile believers. Some Christians were still strictly observing Jewish dietary laws and holy days, while others, freed by Christ, felt these were no longer binding. This verse reassures both sides that their sincere intentions to honor God, whether by observing certain days or by freely eating all foods (with thanksgiving), are acceptable to Him.
"The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God." — What's easily missed here is that the act of giving thanks is the key that sanctifies both eating freely and abstaining from certain foods or days. Whether you're feasting or fasting, if you're t…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
