Romans 14 17

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 verses

Romans 14 17 Meaning

Romans 14:17 declares that the essence of God's sovereign rule is not defined by outward practices such as dietary restrictions or other external observances, which were sources of division among early Christians. Instead, the true nature of God's kingdom is characterized by the spiritual realities of righteousness, peace, and joy, which are powerfully active and experienced within the believer by the enabling work of the Holy Spirit. It shifts the focus from divisive non-essentials to unifying spiritual essentials of faith and love.

Romans 14 17 Context

Romans chapter 14 addresses significant disputes within the early Roman Christian community regarding matters considered "adiaphora" – issues not essential to salvation, such as dietary laws (eating meat, being vegetarian) and observing certain days. Some believers, likely Jewish converts, felt bound by Old Testament dietary restrictions or abstained from meat sold in pagan markets to avoid possible idol contamination ("weak" in faith). Others, predominantly Gentile converts, understood their freedom in Christ and had no such qualms ("strong" in faith). Paul urges these factions not to judge or despise each other, emphasizing that their differing convictions should not lead to division or cause one another to stumble. Romans 14:17 serves as the core theological argument that redefines what truly constitutes the Kingdom of God, shifting focus from external rules and personal preferences to the internal, Spirit-empowered qualities essential for genuine Christian living and unity.

Romans 14 17 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): This conjunction connects the verse directly to Paul's preceding argument in Romans 14:1-16, explaining why believers should prioritize love and not judge over secondary issues like food. It provides the theological basis for the instruction to refrain from causing offense.

• the kingdom of God (ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ, hē basileia tou Theou): Not an earthly political domain, but God's sovereign rule and reign, which is active and present here and now in the hearts and lives of believers, influencing and transforming them. It is an experienced reality, not merely a future hope.

• is not (οὐκ ἔστιν, ouk estin): A strong, emphatic negation, directly contrasting the true nature of God's kingdom with what it is not. It highlights the misplaced priorities Paul is addressing.

• eating and drinking (βρῶσις καὶ πόσις, brōsis kai posis): Refers to external, physical acts related to food and drink, representing the specific contentious issues within the Roman church. More broadly, it symbolizes any non-essential, outward religious practices, rituals, or legalistic observances that become a source of division or a false measure of spirituality.

• but (ἀλλὰ, alla): A powerful adversative conjunction, introducing a sharp contrast and redirection from the superficial to the substantial. It emphatically states what the kingdom is.

• righteousness (δικαιοσύνη, dikaiosynē): In Paul's theology, this term encompasses both imputed righteousness (our right standing before God through faith in Christ) and practical righteousness (living a life in conformity with God's will, characterized by justice, integrity, and right relationship with God and others). It is both a gift and a demand.

• and peace (καὶ εἰρήνη, kai eirēnē): Eirēnē is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew shalom, denoting wholeness, well-being, harmony. This includes peace with God (Rom 5:1), inner serenity within the believer, and peace among believers in the community. It means living in reconciled relationship.

• and joy (καὶ χαρὰ, kai chara): A deep-seated, spiritual gladness that originates from God and the Holy Spirit, independent of outward circumstances. It is a fundamental characteristic of the Spirit-filled life and flows from a right relationship with God.

• in the Holy Spirit (ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ, en Pneumati Hagiō): This phrase is crucial, indicating the source, sphere, and power through which these three qualities (righteousness, peace, and joy) are made real and active in the believer's life. They are not merely human virtues or aspirations but divine endowments, dynamically produced and sustained by the indwelling Spirit of God.

• "For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking": This phrase functions as a concise polemic against legalism or any undue emphasis on external regulations or physical appetites as the basis for belonging to or understanding God's spiritual reign. It redefines spirituality away from superficial adherence.

• "but righteousness and peace and joy": This group of three virtues presents a holistic picture of the true internal and relational realities that define God's kingdom. They describe the transformed character and healthy communal life that result from genuine faith. These are not merely abstract concepts but tangible experiences.

• "in the Holy Spirit": This critical qualifier binds the entire description to the divine agency of the Holy Spirit. It underscores that the listed virtues are supernaturally enabled and produced, distinguishing them from mere human ethics or philosophical ideals. The Holy Spirit is the enabling power behind these kingdom realities in believers.

Romans 14 17 Bonus section

This verse provides a vital theological and practical lens for navigating "adiaphora" – matters indifferent to salvation. Paul's message is timeless, transcending the specific dietary disputes of the Roman church to address all external practices, traditions, or preferences that Christians might mistakenly elevate to primary importance, thereby creating division. It implicitly warns against legalism and judgmentalism, reminding believers that the focus of their faith should always be on Christ-like character and community unity, empowered by the Spirit, rather than adherence to man-made rules or non-essential interpretations. It aligns with Jesus' teaching that internal purity (Matt 15:10-20) and a relationship with God (Luke 17:21) are paramount, not outward performance.

Romans 14 17 Commentary

Romans 14:17 stands as a foundational statement regarding the nature of God's Kingdom, especially in distinguishing between true spiritual substance and peripheral issues. Paul explicitly counters the tendency to define spirituality or divine favor by adherence to external rules like dietary laws. He states clearly that God's kingdom is not concerned with what one physically consumes or refrains from. Such matters are secondary and can become divisive if elevated to primary importance.

Instead, the Kingdom of God is fundamentally an active spiritual reality, presently experienced in three inseparable attributes: righteousness, peace, and joy. "Righteousness" speaks to our reconciled standing with God and the ethical uprightness that flows from it. "Peace" denotes both our reconciled relationship with God and the harmonious, well-ordered relationships within the community, fostering unity rather than discord. "Joy" signifies the deep, supernatural gladness that pervades a believer's life, rooted in God's presence and independent of worldly circumstances. The capstone of this verse is the concluding phrase, "in the Holy Spirit." This signifies that these essential characteristics are not human achievements but divine operations. They are gifts and empowerments made manifest by the Holy Spirit, underscoring that authentic kingdom living is inherently supernatural and dependent on the indwelling presence of God's Spirit.

This verse therefore serves as a vital call to prioritize what truly matters in faith: the internal transformation and spiritual fruit borne by the Holy Spirit, which lead to unity and glorify God, over outward observances that often lead to judgment and division. It calls believers to focus on the spiritual essentials that bind them together, rather than the non-essentials that tear them apart.

Example: If two believers argue over the "right" form of worship music, Romans 14:17 calls them to realize that the Kingdom of God isn't defined by music style. Rather, it's about whether righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit are present and fostered, encouraging unity and respect despite differing preferences.