Romans 14:17

THE MESSAGE

God's kingdom isn't a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness' sake. It's what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you'll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you.

Parallel Translations

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

King James Version (1611)
For the kingdome of God is not meat and drinke; but righteousnes, and peace, and ioy in the holy Ghost.

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

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.

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

New Century Version
In the kingdom of God, eating and drinking are not important. The important things are living right with God, 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.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
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.

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.

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.

Complete Jewish Bible
for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, shalom and joy in the Ruach HaKodesh.

Darby Translation
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in [the] Holy Spirit.

Easy-to-Read Version
In God's kingdom, what we eat and drink is not important. Here is what is important: a right way of life, peace, and joy—all from the Holy Spirit.

Geneva Bible (1587)
For the kingdome of God, is not meate nor drinke, but righteousnes, and peace, and ioye in the holy Ghost.

George Lamsa Translation
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

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.

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

Literal Translation
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and 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.

Bible in Basic English
For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Hebrew Names Version
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, shalom, and joy in the Ruach HaKodesh.

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.1 Corinthians 8:8;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
For the kingdom of Aloha is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Spirit of Holiness.

Murdock Translation
For the kingdom of God, is not food and drink; but is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
For the kyngdome of God, is not meat and drinke: but righteousnesse, & peace, and ioy in the holy ghost.

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

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

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Weymouth's 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;

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For whi the rewme of God is not mete and drynk, but riytwisnesse and pees and ioye in the Hooli Goost.

Update Bible Version
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and 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.

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

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 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.

New Life Bible
For the holy nation of God is not food and drink. It is being right with God. It is peace and joy given by the Holy Spirit.

New Revised Standard
For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in Holy Spirit;

Douay-Rheims Bible
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink: but justice and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Revised Standard Version
For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit;

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For the kyngdome of God is not meate and drinke: but rightewesnes peace and ioye in the holy goost.

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

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For the kyngdome of God is not meate and drynke, but righteousnes, & peace, and ioye in the holy goost.

Mace New Testament (1729)
for the gospel dispensation does not consist in meats and drinks, but in piety and peace, and spiritual joy.

Simplified Cowboy Version
God's outfit is not about what you eat or drink, but living the honorable life of a cowboy who rides for the brand. You live this way by following the Holy Spirit.

Contextual Overview

¹ Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. ²For instance, a person who has been around for a while might well be convinced that he can eat anything on the table, while another, with a different background, might assume he should only be a vegetarian and eat accordingly. But since both are guests at Christ's table, wouldn't it be terribly rude if they fell to criticizing what the other ate or didn't eat? God, after all, invited them both to the table. Do you have any business crossing people off the guest list or interfering with God's welcome? If there are corrections to be made or manners to be learned, God can handle that without your help. ⁵ Or, say, one person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience. ⁶What's important in all this is that if you keep a holy day, keep it for God's sake; if you eat meat, eat it to the glory of God and thank God for prime rib; if you're a vegetarian, eat vegetables to the glory of God and thank God for broccoli. None of us are permitted to insist on our own way in these matters. It's God we are answerable to—all the way from life to death and everything in between—not each other. That's why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other. ¹⁰So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I'd say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we're all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture: "As I live and breathe," God says, "every knee will bow before me; Every tongue will tell the honest truth that I and only I am God." So tend to your knitting. You've got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God. ¹³Forget about deciding what's right for each other. Here's what you need to be concerned about: that you don't get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is. I'm convinced—Jesus convinced me!—that everything as it is in itself is holy. We, of course, by the way we treat it or talk about it, can contaminate it. ¹⁵If you confuse others by making a big issue over what they eat or don't eat, you're no longer a companion with them in love, are you? These, remember, are persons for whom Christ died. Would you risk sending them to hell over an item in their diet? Don't you dare let a piece of God-blessed food become an occasion of soul-poisoning! ¹⁷God's kingdom isn't a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness' sake. It's what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you'll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you. ¹⁹So let's agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault. You're certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God's work among you, are you? I said it before and I'll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don't eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love. ²²Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others. You're fortunate if your behavior and your belief are coherent. But if you're not sure, if you notice that you are acting in ways inconsistent with what you believe—some days trying to impose your opinions on others, other days just trying to please them—then you know that you're out of line. If the way you live isn't consistent with what you believe, then it's wrong.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

kingdom: Daniel 2:44, Matthew 3:2, Matthew 6:33, Luke 14:15, Luke 17:20, Luke 17:21, John 3:3, John 3:5, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Thessalonians 2:12

is: 1 Corinthians 8:8, Colossians 2:16, Colossians 2:17, Hebrews 13:9

but: Isaiah 45:24, Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 23:6, Daniel 9:24, Matthew 6:33, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9, 2 Peter 1:1

peace: Romans 5:1-5, Romans 8:6, Romans 8:15, Romans 8:16, Romans 15:13, Isaiah 55:12, Isaiah 61:3, John 16:33, Acts 9:31, Acts 13:52, Galatians 5:22, Philippians 2:1, Philippians 3:3, Philippians 4:4, Philippians 4:7, Colossians 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 1 Peter 1:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:3 - even Psalms 29:11 - bless Psalms 34:14 - seek Proverbs 3:2 - and peace Proverbs 14:9 - among Ecclesiastes 2:26 - wisdom Isaiah 11:6 - General Isaiah 32:17 - the work Isaiah 48:18 - then had Isaiah 54:13 - great Isaiah 61:10 - for Zechariah 7:5 - did Zechariah 14:20 - shall there Matthew 5:9 - are Matthew 12:28 - then Matthew 13:19 - the word Matthew 15:11 - that which goeth Mark 7:15 - nothing Mark 9:50 - have peace John 14:16 - another John 14:26 - Holy Ghost John 17:13 - that John 18:36 - My kingdom is Acts 1:3 - speaking Romans 2:10 - and peace Romans 2:29 - spirit Romans 12:18 - General Romans 14:21 - good 1 Corinthians 6:13 - Meats for Ephesians 4:3 - General Colossians 1:13 - the kingdom Colossians 3:15 - the peace 1 Timothy 4:3 - to abstain 2 Timothy 2:22 - peace Hebrews 12:11 - peaceable Hebrews 13:21 - working 1 Peter 3:11 - seek

Cross-References

Judges 11:34
Jephthah came home to Mizpah. His daughter ran from the house to welcome him home—dancing to tambourines! She was his only child. He had no son or daughter except her. When he realized who it was, he ripped his clothes, saying, "Ah, dearest daughter—I'm dirt. I'm despicable. My heart is torn to shreds. I made a vow to God and I can't take it back!"

1 Samuel 18:6
As they returned home, after David had killed the Philistine, the women poured out of all the villages of Israel singing and dancing, welcoming King Saul with tambourines, festive songs, and lutes. In playful frolic the women sang, Saul kills by the thousand, David by the ten thousand! This made Saul angry—very angry. He took it as a personal insult. He said, "They credit David with ‘ten thousands' and me with only ‘thousands.' Before you know it they'll be giving him the kingdom!" From that moment on, Saul kept his eye on David.

2 Samuel 18:18
While alive, Absalom had erected for himself a pillar in the Valley of the King, "because," he said, "I have no son to carry on my name." He inscribed the pillar with his own name. To this day it is called "The Absalom Memorial."

Proverbs 14:20
An unlucky loser is shunned by all, but everyone loves a winner.

Proverbs 19:4
Wealth attracts friends as honey draws flies, but poor people are avoided like a plague.

Hebrews 7:1
Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of the Highest God. He met Abraham, who was returning from "the royal massacre," and gave him his blessing. Abraham in turn gave him a tenth of the spoils. "Melchizedek" means "King of Righteousness." "Salem" means "Peace." So, he is also "King of Peace." Melchizedek towers out of the past—without record of family ties, no account of beginning or end. In this way he is like the Son of God, one huge priestly presence dominating the landscape always.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink,.... Neither the kingdom of glory, nor the ultimate glory and happiness of the saints in the other world, is attained to by any such things; for neither eating and drinking, nor not eating and drinking, can recommend to the divine favour, or give a meetness for heaven, or a right unto it; see 1 Corinthians 8:8, nor does the kingdom of grace, the principle of grace, lie in such things, nor in anything that is external; nor does the Gospel, or Gospel church state, which frequently go under this name of the kingdom of God, consist of such things as the ceremonial and the legal dispensation did, but the Gospel and the dispensation of grace are opposed unto them; see Hebrews 9:10.

But righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The kingdom of glory, which is the kingdom of God, because of his preparing, giving, calling to, and putting into the possession of, is attained unto by righteousness; not the righteousness of men, but the righteousness of Christ imputed by God, and received by faith; and through peace made by the blood of Christ, and rejoicing in him, without having any confidence in the flesh, which is a branch of the Spirit's grace in regeneration. The kingdom of grace, or the governing principle of grace in the soul, and which is of God's implanting there, lies in righteousness and true holiness, in which the new man is created; in truth and uprightness in the inward parts, where the laws of God are put and written; and in peace of conscience, arising from the blood and righteousness of Christ; and in that spiritual joy and comfort the Holy Ghost produces, by leading to a sight of Christ, and an interest in him and his atonement. The Gospel, which gives an account both of the kingdom of grace and of glory, reveals the righteousness of Christ, and teaches men to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present evil world: it is a publication of peace by the blood of Christ; it calls men to peace, to cultivate peace one among another, and to seek those things which make for it; and when it comes in power, is attended with joy in the Holy Ghost, and is the means of increasing it; and this is another reason, persuading to Christian forbearance, in the use of things indifferent.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For the kingdom of God - For an explanation of this phrase, see the note at Matthew 3:2. Here it means that the uniquenesses of the kingdom of God, or of the Church of Christ on earth, do not consist in observing the distinctions between meats and drinks, it was true that by these things the Jews had been particularly characterized, but the Christian church was to be distinguished in a different manner.

Is not - Does not consist in, or is not distinguished by.

Meat and drink - In observing distinctions between different kinds of food, or making such observances a matter of conscience as the Jews did. Moses did not prescribe any particular drink or prohibit any, but the Nazarites abstained from wine and all kinds of strong liquors; and it is not improbable that the Jews had invented some distinctions on this subject which they judged to be of importance. Hence, it is said in Colossians 2:16, “Let no man judge you in meat or in drink;” compare 1 Corinthians 8:8; 1 Corinthians 4:20.

But righteousness - This word here means “virtue, integrity,” a faithful discharge of all the duties which we owe to God or to our fellow-men. It means that the Christian must so live as to be appropriately denominated a righteous man, and not a man whose whole attention is absorbed by the mere ceremonies and outward forms of religion. To produce this, we are told, was the main design, and the principal teaching of the gospel; Titus 2:12; Compare Romans 8:13; 1 Peter 2:11. Thus, it is said 1 John 2:29, “Everyone that doeth righteousness is born of God;” 1 John 3:10, “Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God;” compare 1Jo 3:7; 1 Corinthians 15:34; 2 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:7, 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:9; Ephesians 6:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 4:24. He that is a righteous man, whose characteristic it is to lead a holy life, is a Christian. If his great aim is to do the will of God, and if he seeks to discharge with fidelity all his duties to God and man, he is renewed. On that righteousness he will not “depend” for salvation Philippians 3:8-9, but he will regard this character and this disposition as evidence that he is a Christian, and that the Lord Jesus is made unto him” wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption;” 1 Corinthians 1:30.

And peace - This word, in this place, does not refer to the internal “peace” and happiness which the Christian has in his own mind (compare the notes at Romans 5:1); but to peace or concord in opposition to “contention” among brethren. The tendency and design of the kingdom of God is to produce concord and love, and to put an end to alienation and strife. Even though, therefore, there might be ground for the opinions which some cherished in regard to rites, yet it was of more importance to maintain peace than obstinately to press those matters at the expense of strife and contention. That the tendency of the gospel is to promote peace, and to induce people to lay aside all causes of contention and bitter strife, is apparent from the following passages of the New Testament; 1 Corinthians 7:15; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 4:3; 1Th 5:13; 2 Timothy 2:22; James 3:18; Matthew 5:9; Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:8; John 13:34-35; John 17:21-23. This is the second evidence of piety on which Christians should examine their hearts - a disposition to promote the peace of Jerusalem; Psalms 122:6; Psalms 37:11. A contentious, quarrelsome spirit; a disposition to magnify trifles; to make the Shibboleth of party an occasion of alienation, and heart-burning, and discord; to sow dissensions on account of unimportant points of doctrine or of discipline, is full proof that there is no attachment to Him who is the Prince of peace. Such a disposition does infinite dishonor to the cause of religion, and perhaps has done more to retard its progress than all other causes put together. Contentions commonly arise from some small matter in doctrine, in dress, in ceremonies; and often the smaller the matter the more fierce the controversy, until he spirit of religion disappears, and desolation comes over the face of Zion:

“The Spirit, like a peaceful dove,

Flies from the realms of noise and strife.”

And joy - This refers, doubtless, to the “personal” happiness produced in the mind by the influence of the gospel; see the notes at Romans 5:1-5.

In the Holy Ghost - Produced “by” the Holy Spirit; Romans 5:5; compare Galatians 5:22-23.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 17. For the kingdom of God — That holy religion which God has sent from heaven, and which be intends to make the instrument of establishing a counterpart of the kingdom of glory among men: Matthew 3:2; Matthew 3:2.

Is not meat and drink — It consists not in these outward and indifferent things. It neither particularly enjoins nor particularly forbids such.

But righteousness — Pardon of sin, and holiness of heart and life.

And peace — In the soul, from a sense of God's mercy; peace regulating, ruling, and harmonizing the heart.

And joy in the Holy Ghost. — Solid spiritual happiness; a joy which springs from a clear sense of God's mercy; the love of God being shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost. In a word, it is happiness brought into the soul by the Holy Spirit, and maintained there by the same influence. This is a genuine counterpart of heaven; righteousness without sin, PEACE without inward disturbance, JOY without any kind of mental agony or distressing fear. Matthew 3:2; Matthew 3:2.