What Does the New Testament Say About Eating Pork (KJV)?
The question of eating pork has been a longstanding debate among Christians, and it is essential to investigate what the New Testament teaches on this matter. With the rise of various religions and dietary restrictions, Christians often find themselves confused and divided on this topic.
The Old Testament Dietary Laws
Before delving into the New Testament’s stance on eating pork, it is crucial to examine the Old Testament’s regulations. In the book of Leviticus, Yahweh gave specific guidelines for the Israelites concerning clean and unclean meats (Leviticus 11:1-47, Deuteronomy 14:3-21). Pigs were considered unclean or impure and fell under the category of “swine” (Isaiah 65:2-5, Acts 15:20), which was forbidden for Israelites to consume.
The Old Testament dietary laws, including the prohibition on consuming pork, were intended for the Israelites to preserve their spiritual purity and establish a distinction between themselves and other nations (Leviticus 11:44-45, Revelation 18:4-5).
The Change in Dietary Laws with Christianity
With the coming of Jesus Christ and the revelation of the New Testament, the dietary laws were lifted, and Christians were liberated from the Old Testament constraints. The New Testament does not reiterate or enforce the Old Testament dietary restrictions, including the prohibition on eating pork.
NT Passages That Support Not Eating Pork
Despite this, some passages in the New Testament may seem to uphold the Old Testament dietary regulations. For instance:
• Acts 15:20: In this verse, the apostles direct the Gentile (non-Jewish) believers to abstain from “what has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what has been strangled, and from fornication, and from fornicating with the blood of an animal.” Some may misinterpret this verse as condoning the prohibition on blood and strangled animals only, while still prohibiting consumption of pork. However, this interpretation is far-fetched and ignores the broader context of Christian liberty and the removal of Old Testament dietary laws (Romans 14:1-23, Corinthians 8:1-13).
• Leviticus 13:3: Some passages in the New Testament are quoted from the Old Testament, which may include specific dietary regulations. For instance, 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 quotes Leviticus 13:3 when discussing the importance of putting away the old leaven (sin) and exchanging it for the new lump (Christ). However, this does not imply a reiteration of Old Testament dietary laws.
What the New Testament Does NOT Say About Eating Pork
It is essential to consider what the New Testament does not say rather than what it says about eating pork.
• No direct ban on eating pork: None of the New Testament verses explicitly prohibit or command against eating pork.
• No distinction between clean and unclean meats: While the Old Testament made significant distinctions between clean and unclean meats, the New Testament does not.
| New Testament Passages | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Acts 15:20 | Lifted dietary restrictions for the Gentiles |
| Matthew 15:11-20 | Jesus criticizes the Pharisees’ emphasis on external purity but does not reiterate or enforce Old Testament dietary restrictions |
| 1 Timothy 4:1-5 | The Holy Spirit does not teach or regulate dietary habits |
Key Takeaways
In summary, the New Testament does not prohibit Christians from eating pork. Key points to remember:
- The Old Testament dietary laws were lifted, and Christians are no longer bound by them.
- The New Testament does not reiterate or enforce Old Testament dietary restrictions, including the prohibition on eating pork.
- No direct ban or command against eating pork can be found in the New Testament.
- The emphasis in Christianity is on spiritual purity rather than external dietary practices.
In conclusion, eating pork is not a contentious issue in the New Testament. Christians are free to make their own choices, and the focus should remain on spiritual growth and maturing in Christ, not on external dietary restrictions (Colossians 3:1-4).
Additional Resources
If you would like to explore the topic further, here are some additional resources:
- The Complete and Utter Destruction of Legalism by Michael Sullivan
- Rightly Dividing the Law by John Piper