ACC ~ Romans 14 v5

ESTEEMING ALL SCRIPTURE TEXTS (SYMBOLICALLY, ALL DAYS) ALIKE. ORIGEN: According to the spiritual interpretation, which we have already expounded in the case of food, the word day is used to mean a portion of holy Scripture in which the doctrine of godliness and faith is contained. For it is the day which enlightens the mind, which drives away the darkness of ignorance. The day has Christ, the sun of righteousness, in it. If one person dedicates himself to the study of holy Scripture and discovers the true meaning of every day, so that not one jot or tittle of the law escapes him, then it can be said that he “esteems all days alike.” Another person may not have reached that point but still has enough to be able to understand the basic tenets of the faith. Therefore both are to give thanks to God, according to the apostle’s teaching. One understands and enjoys everything, whereas another does not understand everything but will nevertheless be saved by confessing the little that he does know. COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.

FASTING OUT OF FEAR. CHRYSOSTOM: Here it seems to me that Paul is giving a subtle hint about fasting. For it is probable that those who fasted were always passing judgment on those who did not, and it is likely that some of those who fasted did so on particular days. … Paul releases those who fasted out of fear from their bondage by saying that it was something which was basically indifferent. HOMILIES ON ROMANS 25.

THE INCONSTANCY OF HUMAN JUDGMENT AS DISTINGUISHED FROM DIVINE. AUGUSTINE: At the moment, and without any deeper consideration, it seems to me that this is said about God and man, not about two men. He who judges on alternate days is man, who can judge one way today and another way tomorrow. … But the One whose judgment is the same every day is the Lord. … But let everyone dare to judge only insofar as is granted to human intelligence or at least to his own. AUGUSTINE ON ROMANS 80.

CERTAIN DAYS TO ABSTAIN FROM MEAT. [PSEUDO-]CONSTANTIUS: Paul is saying that there are some people who at certain times of the year abstain from meat but that there are others who have decided they must abstain from meat for their entire lives. THE HOLY LETTER OF ST. PAUL TO THE ROMANS.

BECOMING FULLY CONVINCED IN ONE’S OWN MIND. PELAGIUS: Therefore Paul is speaking here about fasting and abstinence, which are not treated under a fixed provision of the law. Each individual should do whatever he sees fit in the light of his desire to share in the reward. Thus it follows that in a matter of this kind one should simply do what he himself has judged to be better. PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON ROMANS.

OECUMENIUS: This is not to be made an article of faith, as Paul himself says. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

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