Clean and Unclean
God’s word reveals to man how to live, how to think and what he should do to be pleasing to God. He also revealed to man those things which He created to be edible for man (Lev. 11:46-47). These laws were established from the very beginning of the creation of man (Gen. 6:21; 7:8; 8:20). A list of clean and unclean animals can be found in Leviticus 11. God created certain animals for food. He knows what foods are healthful. Still, people object to God telling us what to do. Some say followers of Jesus Christ are free to eat anything; others do not. Let’s examine some Scriptures used to justify the eating of unclean foods and see what God says.
The first mention of clean and unclean meats occurs well before Abraham received the old covenant. Hundreds of years earlier, Noah was commanded to take seven pairs of every clean animal onto the ark, but only two of every unclean animal (Gen. 7:2). Why? Certainly, God provided some of the clean animals for Noah to eat while on the ark. Since Noah would not be eating the unclean animals, only two would be required of each type. We can see then, the laws of clean and unclean foods existed before the Mosaic Law.
Mark 7:19 is used to justify the consumption of unclean foods by some. In Mark 7, Jesus Christ was teaching His disciples that true worship of God is obeying God from the heart and not keeping useless religious traditions (James 1:27; Heb. 13:16; Is. 1:11-20). Jesus was telling the disciples that the inward, evil heart causes sin, not the eating of food.
A Translator’s Handbook on the Gospel of Mark (by Robert G. Bratcher and Eugene A. Nida, United Bible Societies, 1961), notes that the phrase, “Thus He declared all foods clean,” is an addition to the Mark 7 text. The King James Version, which predates all new translations of the Bible, does not have this clause in Mark 7:19. It is a clause added by man (which is why it is italicized), in later versions to perpetuate man-made doctrine and does not agree with the rest of God’s word.
Two Greek words are often translated as “unclean.” The first is “akathartos” which means unclean, impure. Akathartos is often used to describe unclean demons or spirits. The Bible verses that use the word akathartos are: Matthew 10:1; 12:43; Mark 1:23, 26-27; 3:11, 30; 5:2, 8, 13; 6:7; 7:25; 9:25; Luke 4:33, 36; 6:18; 8:29; 9:42; 11:24; Acts 5:16; 8:7; 10:14, 28; 11:8; 1 Corinthians 7:14; 2 Corinthians 6:17; Ephesians 5:5; Revelation 16:13; and 18:2. The other Greek word is “koinos.” This word means common, common property, impure, unclean, unholy. Bible verses in which koinos appears include: Mark 7:2; Acts 2:44; 4:32; 10:14, 28; 11:8; Romans 14:14; Titus 1:4; Hebrews 10:29; and Jude 3.
Romans 14:14 says nothing is unclean in itself. In this verse, unclean means common or religiously defiled (koinos). Paul devotes all of Romans chapter 14 to one theme: Do not offend a brother or sister who is new in the faith. He points out that sacrificing meat to an idol does not make that meat defiled, but it is defiled or unclean to a person who is trying to come out of pagan beliefs.
While reading Scripture, people commonly confuse the two definitions of unclean. In Acts 10:14, Peter said, “I have never eaten anything unholy (Greek: koinos) and unclean (Greek: akathartos).” Here unclean (akathartos) refers to the eating of unhealthful foods. Unholy (koinos) means here that Peter did not eat food that was religiously defiled or meat that had been sacrificed to pagan idols. Peter, who was taught by Jesus Christ, did not eat either religiously defiled or unclean food.
What most people think refers to unclean meats does not, but instead refers to ceremonial uncleanness. The word which would include unclean meats (unclean because the meat is unhealthful) is ‘akathartos’.
The bottom line on clean and unclean food comes from the Apostle Peter. In Acts 10:14, Peter (who was trained by the Lord for three years) states emphatically, “By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy or unclean.” The Apostle Peter was shown a vision of unclean animals and he heard a voice come to him which said, “Arise, Peter, kill and eat” (Acts 10:13). It was a shock to Peter, for he knew it was not pleasing to God. He knew it was an abomination to eat things that God said are unclean (Lev. 11:46-47). This is why Peter was greatly perplexed as to what this vision should mean. He knew God was not making void His law of clean and unclean. After all, it was made for the nation of Israel because God was concerned for the health of His people. Finally, God revealed to Peter that he should no longer consider the Gentiles unclean, as God was opening the door of salvation to them (Acts 10:28). The vision did not even concern food. However, many people who do not know, and understand, God’s word still use Acts 10 to condone the eating of unclean foods when it had nothing to do with food.
Is there a specific command in the New Testament that tells followers of Jesus Christ not to touch unclean (akathartos) things? Look what God says in 2 Corinthians 6:17. The “unclean” referred to there is not a man-made religious tradition, but it is unclean because God says it is unclean. God says that certain foods are unclean (akathartos), and that demons are also unclean (akathartos).
Colossians 2:16 tells us to let no one judge us in regard to food or drink. This verse does not tell us we are free to eat everything, but instead tells us to let no one judge us. Some religions say you cannot eat meat on certain days. Some say disciples of Jesus Christ should not dance or drink alcoholic beverages. Others say people should eat fish on Friday. Paul is telling us here that true religion is obeying God from the heart, not following man-made religious traditions (Colossians 2:11; 3:5-17). First Timothy 4:1-5 warns Christians against following doctrines of demons. Paul warns of persons who abstain from eating foods that God created for human consumption.
Did God create everything for consumption? No. (See Leviticus 11, Genesis 7:2, and Isaiah 66:17—which is referring to the near future). Would we be free to eat poison ivy or toadstool mushrooms? Certainly we would suffer the consequences of eating these poisonous foods! If you look to the Companion Bible, you will see the notation for Leviticus 11:4 states; not eat. These laws are not arbitrary. Food plays a chief part in health and sickness. It is our wisdom to obey these laws now, as far as possible. All are based on the preservation and health of the race. Some for sanitary reasons.
First Timothy 4:3 describes certain doctrines held by various churches. First Timothy 4:5 and 1 Corinthians 10:27 give the follower of Jesus Christ instruction on what to do when eating a meal prepared by an unbeliever. Remember, love is the greatest of all attributes (1 Cor. 13:13). For example, if someone sets before you a pork roast and they do not know any better, it would be showing love to eat it, so as not to offend your neighbor. God says it will be sanctified or cleansed with prayer in order to show love to an unbeliever (Luke 10:8; 1 Cor. 10:27, 31-32; Rom.14:17). In the same way, there is a balance and wisdom we should use in our day-to-day life as well, meaning, we should abide by God’s food laws as much as possible and pray over all of our food to cleanse it, believing it is clean, being we may not know every little thing that is in it, nor is it always absolutely necessary to, being your food is sanctified through God in prayer (1 Tim. 4:4; Matt. 21:22). In 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 it says; Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved. We need to use godly wisdom when in public places that serve food and be considerate of others (1 Corinthians 10:25). We do our best and God does the rest (Jere. 17:10). However, you would be forcing a test on God if you purposely went to the market and bought a pork roast, because you would be preparing and eating food that you know God never made to be eaten (Matt. 4:7). This would be rebellion (1 Sam. 15:22-23).
Jesus Christ does not change, Hebrews 13:8 says. The law will not be abolished until all is accomplished, says Matthew 5:17-19. We are to keep the law now in the spirit of love. Remember the prophecy in 2 Corinthians 6:17 where the Lord says, “Do not touch what is unclean and I will come to you.” God’s word is true and consistent. In the near future, God is coming to execute judgment by fire and those slain by the Lord will be many. Isaiah 66:15-17—For behold, the Lord will come in fire and His chariots like the whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For the Lord will execute judgment by fire and by His sword on all flesh, and those slain by the Lord will be many. “Those who eat swine’s flesh, detestable things, and mice, shall come to an end altogether,” declares the Lord. Consider this prophecy that has not yet been fulfilled. God does not lie nor does He change (Mal. 3:6). The wrath of God abides on those who refuse to obey God, but those who obey the Son of God shall receive eternal life (John 3:36). God knows what’s best for us, for He created us out of His love.