Romans 14:17 kjv
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 14:17 nkjv
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17 niv
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
Romans 14:17 esv
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17 nlt
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 14:17 | For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking | Rom 14:17 |
| Rom 14:17 | but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. | Rom 14:17 |
| 1 Cor 6:10 | nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers— | 1 Cor 6:10 |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. | Gal 5:22-23 (Lists fruits of the Spirit) |
| Phil 3:20 | but our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, | Phil 3:20 (Kingdom of God is heavenly) |
| Col 1:13 | He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, | Col 1:13 (Kingdom is of His Son) |
| Heb 12:28 | Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, | Heb 12:28 (Unshakable Kingdom) |
| John 3:3 | Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” | John 3:3 (Born again to enter kingdom) |
| John 3:5 | Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. | John 3:5 (Born of water and Spirit) |
| Acts 1:3 | to whom he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing over forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. | Acts 1:3 (Jesus spoke of Kingdom) |
| Matt 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. | Matt 6:33 (Seek first the kingdom) |
| Rom 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. | Rom 12:2 (Renewal of mind) |
| 1 Cor 8:8 | Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. | 1 Cor 8:8 (Food vs. God) |
| 1 Cor 10:31 | So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. | 1 Cor 10:31 (Do all to God's glory) |
| Phil 2:1-2 | So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. | Phil 2:1-2 (Unity in Spirit) |
| 1 Thes 4:1 | Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing—that you do so more and more. | 1 Thes 4:1 (Please God) |
| Prov 3:13-14 | Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding! For herమ్మ gain is better than gain of silver and her profit than fine gold. | Prov 3:13-14 (Wisdom and understanding) |
| Isa 58:7-9 | Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and to bring the oppressed into your house, when you see the naked, to cover him, and to hide not yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ | Isa 58:7-9 (True righteousness) |
| Gal 5:14 | For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” | Gal 5:14 (Love your neighbor) |
| John 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. | John 1:14 (Full of grace and truth) |
| Rom 8:9 | You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. | Rom 8:9 (Indwelling of the Spirit) |
Romans 14 verses
Romans 14 17 Meaning
The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking. It is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14 17 Context
This verse is part of Romans chapter 14, where the Apostle Paul addresses divisions within the early church concerning matters of disputable practices, specifically dietary laws and observance of certain days. The focus is on unity and mutual respect among believers who hold different views on these secondary issues. Chapter 14 deals with the weak and the strong in faith regarding their understanding of permissible foods and their attitudes towards those who eat or abstain. Chapter 15 continues this theme, urging believers to bear with the failings of the weak and to please their neighbors for their good, to build them up, mirroring Christ's example. The overall context is the practical outworking of the gospel in Christian conduct and fellowship, emphasizing love over legalism or judgmentalism.
Romans 14 17 Word Analysis
- For (γάρ - gar): A conjunction introducing a reason or explanation.
- the (ἡ - hē): The definite article.
- kingdom (βασιλεία - basileia): Rule, reign, royalty, kingdom. Refers to God's sovereign reign, either present or future, manifested in the lives of believers.
- of (τοῦ - tou): Genitive particle indicating possession or origin.
- God (θεοῦ - theou): God, the Supreme Being.
- is (οὐκ - ouk): Negation.
- not (ἐστιν - estin): Is. (Part of the negation 'ouk estin' - is not)
- eating (βρώσει - brōsei): Eating, food. Refers to the act of consuming food or the specific types of food.
- and (καὶ - kai): And.
- drinking (πόσει - posei): Drinking, drink. Refers to the act of consuming beverages or the specific types of beverages.
- but (ἀλλ’ - all'): But, rather. A contrasting conjunction.
- is (ἐστιν - estin): Is.
- righteousness (δικαιοσύνῃ - dikaiosynē): Righteousness, justice, moral rectitude. In a Christian context, it refers to the state of being declared righteous by God through faith in Christ, and the resulting conduct.
- and (καὶ - kai): And.
- peace (εἰρήνῃ - eirēnē): Peace, tranquility, welfare, prosperity. This includes peace with God, peace with one another, and an inner peace.
- and (καὶ - kai): And.
- joy (χαρᾷ - chara): Joy, gladness, delight. A profound and lasting happiness that is independent of outward circumstances.
- in (ἐν - en): In, by, with.
- the (τῷ - tō): The definite article.
- Spirit (Πνεύματι - Pneumati): Spirit, breath, wind. Refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who indwells believers and empowers Christian life and fellowship.
Words-group Analysis
- "the kingdom of God": This phrase signifies God's sovereign rule and reign, manifest in His people and His purposes, not limited by outward practices.
- "not eating and drinking": This contrasts outward, ritualistic observances with the internal reality of God's kingdom.
- "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit": This tripartite expression defines the core essence of the kingdom: a right relationship with God (righteousness), harmony and reconciliation with others (peace), and a deep, Spirit-empowered inner gladness (joy). These are the results of God's reign being established in the believer's heart by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14 17 Bonus Section
The triad of "righteousness, peace, and joy" is significant. Righteousness is foundational, leading to peace with God and man, and both of these foster spiritual joy. This combination echoes descriptions of God's character and the blessings of the Messianic age found in the Old Testament (e.g., Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of justice and righteousness, Isaiah 58:7-9 links righteousness with God's presence). Furthermore, the empowering enablement through the "Holy Spirit" highlights that these qualities are not achieved by human effort alone but are a divine enablement. This spiritual dynamic is consistent with the promise of the New Covenant where God’s Spirit would dwell within His people (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
Romans 14 17 Commentary
The verse declares that the essence of the Kingdom of God is not found in outward practices like dietary regulations, but in the inner transformation and relational realities produced by the Holy Spirit. Righteousness, which is primarily being right with God through Christ, then expressed in godly living, is paramount. This is followed by peace—reconciliation with God and harmony within the community—and a profound, abiding joy that stems from the Spirit's presence and work in the believer's life. These internal qualities are what truly characterize participation in God's reign. They transcend differences in disputable matters, which, while important for individual conscience, do not define one's standing in the Kingdom. The focus is on a vibrant spiritual life powered by the Holy Spirit, which cultivates character and unity.
- Practical Example: Two believers might have differing views on eating meat sacrificed to idols. One believes it's permissible for them, while the other believes it's not. According to this verse, the most important thing is not their choice regarding the meat, but that both, in their respective decisions, are guided by righteousness, seek peace with one another, and experience the joy of the Spirit, reflecting Christ’s love and unity in the church.