Romans 14:17
New International Version
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Berean Standard Bible
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Berean Literal Bible
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

King James Bible
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

New King James Version
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

New American Standard Bible
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

NASB 1995
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

NASB 1977
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Legacy Standard Bible
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Amplified Bible
for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Christian Standard Bible
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

American Standard Version
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Contemporary English Version
God's kingdom isn't about eating and drinking. It is about pleasing God, about living in peace, and about true happiness. All this comes from the Holy Spirit.

English Revised Version
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God's kingdom does not consist of what a person eats or drinks. Rather, God's kingdom consists of God's approval and peace, as well as the joy that the Holy Spirit gives.

Good News Translation
For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives.

International Standard Version
For God's kingdom does not consist of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy produced by the Holy Spirit.

Majority Standard Bible
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

NET Bible
For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

New Heart English Bible
for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Weymouth New Testament
For the Kingdom of God does not consist of eating and drinking, but of right conduct, peace and joy, through the Holy Spirit;

World English Bible
for God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit;

Berean Literal Bible
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Young's Literal Translation
for the reign of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit;

Smith's Literal Translation
For the kingdom of God is not food and drink; but justice, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but justice, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but rather justice and peace and joy, in the Holy Spirit.

New American Bible
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Spirit;

New Revised Standard Version
For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For The Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but the righteousness and the peace and the joy in The Spirit of Holiness.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Godbey New Testament
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Haweis New Testament
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Mace New Testament
for the gospel dispensation does not consist in meats and drinks, but in piety and peace, and spiritual joy.

Weymouth New Testament
For the Kingdom of God does not consist of eating and drinking, but of right conduct, peace and joy, through the Holy Spirit;

Worrell New Testament
for the Kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Worsley New Testament
but in righteousness and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost: for he,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Law of Love
16Do not allow what you consider good, then, to be spoken of as evil. 17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.…

Cross References
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

1 Corinthians 8:8
But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

1 Corinthians 4:20
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

Philippians 3:19
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.

1 Timothy 4:4-5
For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, / because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Hebrews 13:9
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.

Luke 17:20-21
When asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God will not come with observable signs. / Nor will people say, ‘Look, here it is,’ or ‘There it is.’ For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

John 18:36
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.”

Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, / to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn, / to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Isaiah 32:17
The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.

Isaiah 55:1-2
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

Jeremiah 31:12-14
They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—the grain, new wine, and oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish. / Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow. / I will fill the souls of the priests abundantly, and will fill My people with My goodness,” declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 34:26-27
I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season—showers of blessing. / The trees of the field will give their fruit, and the land will yield its produce; My flock will be secure in their land. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bars of their yoke and delivered them from the hands that enslaved them.


Treasury of Scripture

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

kingdom.

Daniel 2:44
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Matthew 3:2
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

is.

1 Corinthians 8:8
But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

Colossians 2:16,17
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: …

Hebrews 13:9
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

but.

Isaiah 45:24
Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.

Jeremiah 23:5,6
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth…

Daniel 9:24
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

peace.

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: …

Romans 8:6,15,16
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace…

Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

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Romans 14
1. Men may not condemn one another for disputable matters;
13. but must take heed that they give no offense in them;
15. which the apostle proves unlawful by many reasons.














For the kingdom of God
The "kingdom of God" refers to God's sovereign rule and reign, both in the present spiritual sense and the future physical manifestation. It is a central theme in Jesus' teachings, emphasizing God's dominion over all creation. In the Gospels, Jesus often speaks of the kingdom as both "at hand" (Mark 1:15) and as something to be fully realized in the future (Matthew 25:34). The kingdom is not confined to geographical boundaries but is a spiritual realm where God's will is fulfilled.

is not a matter of eating and drinking
This phrase addresses the disputes in the early church regarding dietary laws and practices, particularly between Jewish and Gentile believers. In the context of Romans 14, Paul is urging believers to move beyond legalistic concerns about food and drink, which were significant issues due to Jewish dietary laws (Leviticus 11) and the consumption of food offered to idols (1 Corinthians 8:4-13). The focus is on the internal and spiritual aspects of faith rather than external rituals.

but of righteousness
Righteousness here refers to the state of being right with God, which is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22). It is a key theme in Paul's writings, emphasizing that righteousness is not earned by works but is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). This righteousness leads to a transformed life that reflects God's character and moral standards.

peace
Peace in this context is both the peace with God that comes through reconciliation by Christ's sacrifice (Romans 5:1) and the peace among believers. It is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and a hallmark of the Christian community. The early church, composed of diverse backgrounds, was called to live in harmony, reflecting the peace of Christ (Colossians 3:15).

and joy
Joy is a deep-seated sense of well-being and contentment that comes from knowing and trusting God. It is not dependent on circumstances but is a result of the Holy Spirit's work in a believer's life (Philippians 4:4). Joy is also a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and is often associated with salvation and the presence of God (Psalm 16:11).

in the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the source and sustainer of the kingdom's attributes—righteousness, peace, and joy. The Spirit empowers believers to live out these qualities (Acts 1:8) and is the guarantee of our inheritance in the kingdom (Ephesians 1:13-14). The presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life is evidence of belonging to the kingdom of God (Romans 8:9).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the Book of Romans, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.

2. The Roman Church
The recipients of the letter, the Roman Christians were a diverse group of Jewish and Gentile believers living in the heart of the Roman Empire.

3. The Kingdom of God
A central theme in Jesus' teachings, representing God's sovereign rule and the spiritual realm where His will is fulfilled.

4. The Holy Spirit
The third person of the Trinity, who empowers believers to live in righteousness, peace, and joy.

5. Dietary Laws and Customs
The context of Romans 14 involves disputes over dietary practices, particularly between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
Teaching Points
Spiritual Priorities Over Physical Concerns
The kingdom of God transcends earthly matters like food and drink, focusing instead on spiritual virtues.

Righteousness in the Holy Spirit
True righteousness is not self-derived but comes through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Peace as a Marker of God's Kingdom
Believers are called to live in peace, reflecting the harmony of God's kingdom in their relationships.

Joy as a Fruit of the Spirit
Joy is a supernatural result of living in alignment with God's will and presence.

Unity in Diversity
The Roman church's context of diverse backgrounds calls for unity in the essentials of faith, rather than division over non-essentials.(17) Meat and drink.--Strictly, eating and drinking.

Righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.--By "righteousness and peace" is not here meant imputed righteousness, or justification and reconciliation with God, but rather the moral condition of righteousness in the Christian himself, and concord with his fellow-men. These are crowned in the confirmed Christian by that feeling of subdued and chastened exultation which is wrought in Him by the presence in his heart or constant influence of the Holy Spirit.

It is remarkable how, with all the wide difference in terminology between the writings of St. Paul and the Gospels, they yet come round to the very same point. The "kingdom of God," as here described, is exactly what we should gather from the fuller and more detailed sayings of our Lord. "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man;" "The kingdom of God is within you;" "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation;" "If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light;" "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness;" "Blessed are the peacemakers;" "Rejoice and be exceeding glad."

It has not been beyond the power of heathen or even Christian philosophers, such, e.g., as Marcus Aurelius, to arrive at the conception of righteousness and peaceableness as duties to be observed and striven after. The peculiarity of Christianity consists in the unity which it gives to these attributes as naturally flowing from a spring of deep religious emotion, and from the finish and perfection which it adds to them by the introduction of that third term, "joy in the Holy Ghost." Many individuals have shown, and still show, with greater or less approximation, what the Christian type should be, but the great and only perfect Exemplar is Jesus Himself, and that less, perhaps, in the later portion of His career, when He was fulfilling that other side of His mission, to "bear the sins of many" as the Saviour of mankind, than in the earlier untroubled phase which finds expression in the Sermon on the Mount. This is in closest contact with the normal life of men.

Verses 17, 18. - For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. The concluding clause here has reference to "let not your good," etc., preceding. It is the practical fruits of faith that commend it to men, as well as being the test of its genuineness before God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

kingdom
βασιλεία (basileia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

of God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

not [a matter of]
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

eating
βρῶσις (brōsis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1035: (a) abstr: eating, (b) food, a meal, (c) rust. From the base of bibrosko; eating; by extension food.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

drinking,
πόσις (posis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4213: Drinking, drink, beverage. From the alternate of pino; a drinking, i.e. a draught.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

of righteousness,
δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1343: From dikaios; equity; specially justification.

peace,
εἰρήνη (eirēnē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1515: Probably from a primary verb eiro; peace; by implication, prosperity.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

joy
χαρὰ (chara)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5479: Joy, gladness, a source of joy. From chairo; cheerfulness, i.e. Calm delight.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] Holy
Ἁγίῳ (Hagiō)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

Spirit.
Πνεύματι (Pneumati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.


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