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Can I eat anything?
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Yeshua spoke to the crowd who knew what the Torah stipulated as food - all clean animals. This statement here is in context with the beginning of this chapter where the Pharisees accused Yeshua's Disciples of transgressing the traditions of the elders.
The Pharisees say that the Disciples did not obey the traditions of the elders when they did not wash their hands. The Commandment for ‘Washing of hands’ is not in the Torah, it is an Oral Tradition invented by the Pharisees and is called "traditions of the elders" or "tokanot". They did not say, "why do they transgress the Torah...?
You must have a special jug (with special specifications). Then you pour water over your left hand, and then your right hand. You do this for three times. While you do this, you must speak blessing over washing of hands; “Blessed are you Adonai, King of the universe, Who gave us the Commandments, and Who commanded us to wash the hands".
Rabbi's have authority (they say) to make new laws and add to the Torah, these are then called the traditions of the elders. This is one of the examples in Scripture where Yeshua spoke against the commandments of man (takanot).
Yeshua never spoke against them doing the Torah, the Commandments of His Father, no; He spoke against the "traditions of men", the inventions of the elders, the Pharisees, who claim to have authority to change YHVH's Word by adding man made commandments.
So, did Yeshua abolish the Torah's instruction regarding Clean & Unclean (Kosher) by His statement in Matt 15:11? No, we can clearly se that He spoke against the traditions of the elders that said; if you do not do the washing of hands ritual, your food will be made unclean. In their arrogance they claimed to have the last say over what YHVH said in the beginning when He gave the Torah to Moses.
If this was true that Yeshua said that we can eat whatever we like, Mat_15:11, then He would have contradicted Himself in Mat_5:17-19. Yeshua said that no commandment will pass away until heaven and earth is still there and is you teach someone not to do some of the least of His Commandments (Kosher – clean & unclean food), you will be called the least in the Kingdom of YHVH. It is your choice whether you want to be great in the Kingdom or least in the Kingdom.
Paul had a mixed audience to deal with in Rome; Jews who came to faith in Yeshua who knew all the requirements of YHVH regarding food, and the Gentiles, Romans who received Yeshua who are used to live a life
The main context here comes from the previous chapter - the lust of the flesh (in this case it is eating) , and then in regards to this - not to judge other people.
Paul uses an example of people eating any food, the question here is not what is food and what is not food - clean & unclean, it is about eating any food, including meat, verses not eating meat. Paul does not argue whether it is clean or unclean meat, but rather eating meat or only eating vegetables. The MAIN thought here is NOT TO JUDGE someone who differs in opinion to you regarding food. Especially those who are "weak" in the faith, who came in as new believers and who are not yet convinced or exposed to the things you know regarding food, according to YHVH's Word.
In short, do not drive people away with the truth you have regarding kosher, without them understanding or having the time to search the Scripture to find out for themselves. You should receive them without raising the eyebrow on what tey eat, or in this case, not eat.
It never implies that we can eat all things (people tend to read that into verse 2); "...one who believes in Yeshua may eat any abominable thing, pig, shrimp, mouse, snake ect, but he who is weak in faith and struggles to stand, he eats kosher..." Is this what Paul meant when he said this? No, He said that if they that are weak in faith, not knowing the truth about kosher, they ate only vegetables and did not eat meat at all, because they did not know any better.
This is clear in verse 3 what Paul was actually trying to bring across; they that eat meat should not judge those who does not eat meat and vice versa. DO NOT JUDGE one another!
The same argument went on from verse 5 about the day of rest or worship, the Pagans (Romans) esteemed the Sunday because of sun worship and the Jews esteemed the Sabbath which YHVH initiated. If someone who is new in the faith (weak) do not judge him if he is not yet convinced of keeping the Sabbath, and vice versa. DO NOT JUDGE!
Paul makes it quite clear that Yeshua is the Judge and He will judge all people and it is not your place to judge others, especially if you have the Truth.
Paul gave the consequences with people who know the truth, judge those who are new in the faith, they will drive them away and not give them enough room to grow into the same truth as they have. These arguments will cause your new brother in Yeshua to fall away from the faith and would not want anything to do with Believers in Yeshua.
Paul wants us to zoom out and see the bigger picture; unity and love in Yeshua and growing together in the truth without judging one another. It is not about enforcing the truth into someone's thought if he is not yet convinced about it, but gradually sowing seed in love that will convince them of the whole truth. This applies to every topic in following YHVH's instructions and applies especially to Gentiles coming in fresh, not knowing YHVH's ways. Treat them in love, those who are weak and differ from the truth, and allow your light to shine in love and reveal the truth to them as they are ready to receive it. This is why we need the fruit of the Spirit called patience.
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Did Yeshua say that I could eat anything?
Mat 15:11
Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man; but that which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.
Yeshua spoke to the crowd who knew what the Torah stipulated as food - all clean animals. This statement here is in context with the beginning of this chapter where the Pharisees accused Yeshua's Disciples of transgressing the traditions of the elders.
Mat 15:2
Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.
The Pharisees say that the Disciples did not obey the traditions of the elders when they did not wash their hands. The Commandment for ‘Washing of hands’ is not in the Torah, it is an Oral Tradition invented by the Pharisees and is called "traditions of the elders" or "tokanot". They did not say, "why do they transgress the Torah...?
Takanot - "The washing of the hands"
You must have a special jug (with special specifications). Then you pour water over your left hand, and then your right hand. You do this for three times. While you do this, you must speak blessing over washing of hands; “Blessed are you Adonai, King of the universe, Who gave us the Commandments, and Who commanded us to wash the hands".
Rabbi's have authority (they say) to make new laws and add to the Torah, these are then called the traditions of the elders. This is one of the examples in Scripture where Yeshua spoke against the commandments of man (takanot).
Mat 15:3
But He answered and said to them, Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Yeshua never spoke against them doing the Torah, the Commandments of His Father, no; He spoke against the "traditions of men", the inventions of the elders, the Pharisees, who claim to have authority to change YHVH's Word by adding man made commandments.
So, did Yeshua abolish the Torah's instruction regarding Clean & Unclean (Kosher) by His statement in Matt 15:11? No, we can clearly se that He spoke against the traditions of the elders that said; if you do not do the washing of hands ritual, your food will be made unclean. In their arrogance they claimed to have the last say over what YHVH said in the beginning when He gave the Torah to Moses.
Contradictions in the New Testament:
If this was true that Yeshua said that we can eat whatever we like, Mat_15:11, then He would have contradicted Himself in Mat_5:17-19. Yeshua said that no commandment will pass away until heaven and earth is still there and is you teach someone not to do some of the least of His Commandments (Kosher – clean & unclean food), you will be called the least in the Kingdom of YHVH. It is your choice whether you want to be great in the Kingdom or least in the Kingdom.
Did Paul say that I could eat anything?
Rom 13:14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not take thought beforehand for the lusts of the flesh.
Paul had a mixed audience to deal with in Rome; Jews who came to faith in Yeshua who knew all the requirements of YHVH regarding food, and the Gentiles, Romans who received Yeshua who are used to live a life
Rom 14:1
And receive him who is weak in the faith (fleshly - not knowing all the truth yet), but not to judgments of your thoughts (convictions of the truth you have).
Rom 14:1 (NKJV)
Receive one who is weak in the faith, [but] not to disputes over doubtful things.
Rom 14:2
For indeed one believes to eat all things; but being weak (in the faith - truth), another eats vegetables.
The main context here comes from the previous chapter - the lust of the flesh (in this case it is eating) , and then in regards to this - not to judge other people.
Paul uses an example of people eating any food, the question here is not what is food and what is not food - clean & unclean, it is about eating any food, including meat, verses not eating meat. Paul does not argue whether it is clean or unclean meat, but rather eating meat or only eating vegetables. The MAIN thought here is NOT TO JUDGE someone who differs in opinion to you regarding food. Especially those who are "weak" in the faith, who came in as new believers and who are not yet convinced or exposed to the things you know regarding food, according to YHVH's Word.
In short, do not drive people away with the truth you have regarding kosher, without them understanding or having the time to search the Scripture to find out for themselves. You should receive them without raising the eyebrow on what tey eat, or in this case, not eat.
It never implies that we can eat all things (people tend to read that into verse 2); "...one who believes in Yeshua may eat any abominable thing, pig, shrimp, mouse, snake ect, but he who is weak in faith and struggles to stand, he eats kosher..." Is this what Paul meant when he said this? No, He said that if they that are weak in faith, not knowing the truth about kosher, they ate only vegetables and did not eat meat at all, because they did not know any better.
Rom 14:3
Do not let him who eats (everything, including meat, that YHVH calls food) despise him who does not eat (vegetarian, no meat at all); and do not let him who does not eat (meat) judge him who eats (meat), for God has received him.
This is clear in verse 3 what Paul was actually trying to bring across; they that eat meat should not judge those who does not eat meat and vice versa. DO NOT JUDGE one another!
The same argument went on from verse 5 about the day of rest or worship, the Pagans (Romans) esteemed the Sunday because of sun worship and the Jews esteemed the Sabbath which YHVH initiated. If someone who is new in the faith (weak) do not judge him if he is not yet convinced of keeping the Sabbath, and vice versa. DO NOT JUDGE!
Rom 14:10
But why do you judge your brother? Or also why do you despise your brother? For all shall stand before the judgment seat of Messiah.
Paul makes it quite clear that Yeshua is the Judge and He will judge all people and it is not your place to judge others, especially if you have the Truth.
Rom 14:15
But if your brother is grieved with your food (meat because he is a vegio), you no longer walk according to love (if you judge him). Do not with your food destroy him for whom Messiah died.
Paul gave the consequences with people who know the truth, judge those who are new in the faith, they will drive them away and not give them enough room to grow into the same truth as they have. These arguments will cause your new brother in Yeshua to fall away from the faith and would not want anything to do with Believers in Yeshua.
Rom 14:17
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Paul wants us to zoom out and see the bigger picture; unity and love in Yeshua and growing together in the truth without judging one another. It is not about enforcing the truth into someone's thought if he is not yet convinced about it, but gradually sowing seed in love that will convince them of the whole truth. This applies to every topic in following YHVH's instructions and applies especially to Gentiles coming in fresh, not knowing YHVH's ways. Treat them in love, those who are weak and differ from the truth, and allow your light to shine in love and reveal the truth to them as they are ready to receive it. This is why we need the fruit of the Spirit called patience.
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