Primary Scripture
Romans 14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Plain explanation
All things pure must stay within what Scripture already defines as food and clean.
Common assumption
All things are pure means unclean meats are clean.
Scripture-defined meaning
Romans 14:20 says all things in the dispute are pure, but that statement must stay inside the chapter's context of doubtful eating and stumbling. It does not cleanse what YAHUAH calls unclean.
Confirming witnesses
- Immediate explanation: Romans 14:13,21-23
The immediate issue is not destroying YAHUAH's work by pressuring a brother to violate conscience. - Lexical usage: Titus 1:15-16
Paul's all-things-pure language elsewhere concerns inward corruption and works, not making forbidden things pure. - Prophetic purpose: Leviticus 11:46-47
YAHUAH's Word retains objective clean-and-unclean categories beyond personal persuasion. - Apostolic confirmation: 1 Timothy 4:5
Paul requires food to be sanctified by the Word, which limits all things pure to Scripture-defined food.
Takeaway
Romans 14 must not be stretched beyond doubtful disputes into a repeal of YAHUAH's commandments.
Context reflection
Where has a conscience dispute been used to overthrow a clear commandment?