Romans 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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φρονεῖ·
He that regardeth
G5426
φρονεῖ·
He that regardeth
Strong's:
G5426
Word #:
2 of 34
to exercise the mind, i.e., entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain d
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέραν,
the day
G2250
ἡμέραν,
the day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
4 of 34
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
Κυρίῳ
it unto the Lord
G2962
Κυρίῳ
it unto the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
5 of 34
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
φρονεῖ·
He that regardeth
G5426
φρονεῖ·
He that regardeth
Strong's:
G5426
Word #:
6 of 34
to exercise the mind, i.e., entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain d
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
9 of 34
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
φρονεῖ·
He that regardeth
G5426
φρονεῖ·
He that regardeth
Strong's:
G5426
Word #:
10 of 34
to exercise the mind, i.e., entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain d
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέραν,
the day
G2250
ἡμέραν,
the day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
12 of 34
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
Κυρίῳ
it unto the Lord
G2962
Κυρίῳ
it unto the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
13 of 34
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
φρονεῖ·
He that regardeth
G5426
φρονεῖ·
He that regardeth
Strong's:
G5426
Word #:
15 of 34
to exercise the mind, i.e., entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain d
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐσθίει
eateth
G2068
ἐσθίει
eateth
Strong's:
G2068
Word #:
17 of 34
used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)
Κυρίῳ
it unto the Lord
G2962
Κυρίῳ
it unto the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
18 of 34
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἐσθίει
eateth
G2068
ἐσθίει
eateth
Strong's:
G2068
Word #:
19 of 34
used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)
εὐχαριστεῖ
thanks
G2168
εὐχαριστεῖ
thanks
Strong's:
G2168
Word #:
20 of 34
to be grateful, i.e., (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
21 of 34
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
giveth God
G2316
θεῷ
giveth God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
23 of 34
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
26 of 34
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἐσθίει
eateth
G2068
ἐσθίει
eateth
Strong's:
G2068
Word #:
27 of 34
used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)
Κυρίῳ
it unto the Lord
G2962
Κυρίῳ
it unto the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
28 of 34
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἐσθίει
eateth
G2068
ἐσθίει
eateth
Strong's:
G2068
Word #:
30 of 34
used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
31 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὐχαριστεῖ
thanks
G2168
εὐχαριστεῖ
thanks
Strong's:
G2168
Word #:
32 of 34
to be grateful, i.e., (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal
Cross References
Matthew 15:36And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.Matthew 14:19And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
Historical Context
Jewish Christians fasted regularly, maintained dietary laws, observed Sabbath—all 'unto the Lord.' Gentile Christians ate freely, observed no calendar—also 'unto the Lord.' Paul affirms both as legitimate expressions of devotion. This principle shaped early Christian diversity: Eastern and Western churches developed different liturgies, calendars, disciplines—yet remained unified in essentials (Nicene Creed). The Reformation debates over worship forms, vestments, liturgy drew on Romans 14: allow liberty where Scripture doesn't mandate uniformity.
Questions for Reflection
- Are your practices (diet, calendar, disciplines) done '<em>kyriō</em>' (unto the Lord) or from tradition, peer pressure, or legalism?
- How does recognizing that both parties 'give thanks to God' (<em>eucharistei tō theō</em>) change your attitude toward those who differ?
- What would it look like to transform disputable matters from divisive issues into diverse expressions of sincere worship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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—Ho phronōn tēn hēmeran kyriō phronei, kai ho esthiōn kyriō esthiei, eucharistei gar tō theō (ὁ φρονῶν τὴν ἡμέραν κυρίῳ φρονεῖ, καὶ ὁ ἐσθίων κυρίῳ ἐσθίει, εὐχαριστεῖ γὰρ τῷ θεῷ). Phronei kyriō (regards unto the Lord) indicates God-directed motive. Whether observing a day or not, eating or abstaining, the action is unto the Lord—offered to God as worship. Eucharistei (εὐχαριστέω, gives thanks) reveals the heart attitude: gratitude to God.
And he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks—Kai ho mē esthiōn kyriō ouk esthiei, kai eucharistei tō theō (καὶ ὁ μὴ ἐσθίων κυρίῳ οὐκ ἐσθίει, καὶ εὐχαριστεῖ τῷ θεῷ). The abstainer also acts unto the Lord, giving thanks. Both parties are sincere worshipers—their dietary choices express devotion, not rebellion. Paul validates both: if done for God's glory from informed conscience, it's acceptable. The issue isn't what you eat/observe but why—does it honor God? This transforms disputable matters from battlegrounds into worship opportunities.