Verse:
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom (kingdom / basileia) of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness (justify / dikaiosune), and peace, and joy in the Holy (sanctify / hagios) Ghost.
Commentary by Adam Clarke
For the kingdom of God Is not meat and drink
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: See Clarke on Matthew 3:2.
Matthew 3:2
and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." But righteousness
It consists not in these outward and indifferent things. It neither particularly enjoins nor particularly forbids such. And peace
Pardon of sin, and holiness of heart and life. And joy in the Holy Ghost.
In the soul, from a sense of God's mercy; peace regulating, ruling, and harmonizing the heart. Source
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. See Clarke on Matthew 3:2.
Commentary by Barnes
For the kingdom of God. Is not.
For an explanation of this phrase, See Barnes "Matthew 3:2". Here it means, that the peculiarities 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. Meat and drink.
Does not consist in. or is not distinguished by. But righteousness.
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." Comp. 1 Corinthians 8:8; 1 Corinthians 4:20.
1 Corinthians 8:8 1 Corinthians 4:20
But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. And peace.
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. Comp. Romans 8:13; 1 Peter 2:11. Thus it is said, (1 John 2:2) "Every one that doeth righteousness is born of God;" 1 John 3:10, "Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God." Comp. 1 John 3:7; 1 Corinthians 15:34; 2 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:7,14; Ephesians 5:9; Ephesians 6:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 4:24.
Titus 2:12 Romans 8:13
It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 1 Peter 2:11
For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 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.
1 John 3:7 1 Corinthians 15:34
Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 2 Corinthians 3:9
Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God--I say this to your shame. 2 Corinthians 6:7,14
If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! Ephesians 5:9
7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?Ephesians 6:14
(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 1 Timothy 6:11
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 1 Peter 2:24
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Ephesians 4:24
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Philippians 3:8,9
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.And joy.
This word, in this place, does not refer to the internal peace and happiness which the Christian has in his own mind, (comp. See Barnes "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 men 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; 1 Thessalonians 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. T
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, his 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.
1 Corinthians 7:15 1 Corinthians 14:33
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. Galatians 5:22
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. Ephesians 4:3
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 1 Thessalonians 5:13
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 2 Timothy 2:22
Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. James 3:18
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Matthew 5:9
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. Ephesians 4:31,32
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.Colossians 3:8
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.John 13:34,35
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. John 17:21-23
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.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 dishonour 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, till the spirit of religion disappears, and desolation comes over the face of Zion.
Psalms 122:6 Psalms 37:11
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May those who love you be secure.
But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.
"the Spirit, like a peaceful dove, Flies from the reahns of noise and strife." In the Holy Ghost.
This refers, doubtless, to the personal happiness produced in the mind by the influence of the gospel. See Barnes "Romans 5:1"; also Romans 5:1-5.
Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.Source
Produced by the Holy Ghost, Romans 5:5. Comp. Galatians 5:22,23.
Romans 5:5 Galatians 5:22,23
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
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.
Commentary by Coffman
Verses 16, 17
Let not your good be evil spoken of: for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The sin against Christ through lovelessness among Christians is an evil that reaches far beyond the congregation itself, bringing into dishonor and ineffectiveness the missionary outreach of the church, and actually resulting in blasphemy of outsiders against the Christian message. "Your" in this verse is plural, contrasting with the singular pronoun in Rom. 14:15, and indicates that Paul here shifted the thought away from the individual consequences of setting at naught and judging the ,brethren and directed it to a consideration of the harm to the entire church which resulted from such violations of the principle of unity and love. When Christians are divided and viciously attack each other over such things as clothing, hair styles, dietary habits, etc., outsiders certainly make sport of their Christianity, the Christians themselves furnishing the basis of their deprecations, and thus becoming the principal hindrance of their missionary impact upon their community.
Rom. 14:15
If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.
"Joy" here is a subjective condition within the hearts of Christians, and from this it is likely that righteousness and peace are likewise subjective and refer to the righteous behavior and the inward peace of children of God. By contrast, God's kingdom is far more than the privilege of merely eating and drinking what pleases one. The sacred privileges of the kingdom and the blessed fruit of the indwelling Spirit of God are of such surpassing benefit that any adjustment of the strong Christian's behavior to accommodate the conscience of the weak is a trifle indeed. The great concern is not the exercise of liberty in such matters as food and drink, but the holy joy of the sacred communion of the fellowship in Christ.
Source
Commentary by David Guzik
Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Source
a. Do not let your good be spoken of as evil: Our liberty in Jesus and freedom from the law is good, but not if we use it to destroy another brother in Christ. If we do that, then it could rightly be spoken of as evil.
b. If we place food and drink before righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, then we are hopelessly out of touch with God's priorities and His heart.
c. Serving God with a heart for His righteousness and peace and joy is the kind of service that is acceptable in His sight, and will be approved by men.
Commentary by Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink
--or, as we should say, Religion; that is, the proper business and blessedness for which Christians are formed into a community of renewed men in thorough subjection to God (compare 1Co 4:20). but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost
--"eating and drinking" Source
--a beautiful and comprehensive division of living Christianity.
The first--"righteousness"--has respect to God, denoting here "rectitude," in its widest sense (as in Mt 6:33);the second--"peace"--has respect to our neighbors, denoting "concord" among brethren (as is plain from Ro 14:19; compare Eph 4:3; Col 3:14, 15);
Mt 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. the third--"joy in the Holy Ghost"--has respect to ourselves. This phrase, "joy in the Holy Ghost," represents Christians as so thinking and feeling under the workings of the Holy Ghost, that their joy may be viewed rather as that of the blessed Agent who inspires it than their own (compare 1Th 1:6).
Ro 14:19 Eph 4:3
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Col 3:14, 15
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Commentary by John Gill
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink But righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
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) (Hebrews 13:9) .
1 Corinthians 8:8
But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
Hebrews 9:10 Hebrews 13:9
They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings--external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them. Source
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.
Commentary by John Wesley
For the kingdom of God But in righteousness
That is, true religion, does not consist in external observances. Source
The image of God stamped on the heart; the love of God and man, accompanied with the peace that passeth all understanding, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Commentary by Matthew Henry
(5.) Because the stress of Christianity is not to be laid upon these things, nor are they at all essential to religion, either on the one side or on the other. This is his reason (Romans 14:17,18), which is reducible to this branch of exhortation. Why should you spend your zeal either for or against those things which are so minute and inconsiderable in religion? Some make it a reason why, in case of offence likely to be taken, we should refrain the use of our Christian liberty; but it seems directed in general against that heat about those things which he observed on both sides. The kingdom of God is not meat, &c. Observe here,
[1.] The nature of true Christianity, what it is: it is here called, The kingdom of God; it is a religion intended to rule us, a kingdom: it stands in a true and hearty subjection to God's power and dominion. The gospel dispensation is in a special manner called the kingdom of God, in distinction from the legal dispensation, Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17.
Matthew 3:2 Matthew 4:17
and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." First, It is not meat and drink: it does not consist either in using or in abstaining from such and such meats and drinks. Christianity gives no rule in that case, either in one way or another. The Jewish religion consisted much in meats and drinks (Hebrews 9:10), abstaining from some meats religiously (Leviticus 11:2), eating other meats religiously, as in several of the sacrifices, part of which were to be eaten before the Lord: but all those appointments are now abolished and are no more, Colossians 2:21,22.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." The matter is left at large. Every creature of God is good, 1 Timothy 4:4. So, as to other things, it is neither circumcision nor uncircumcision (Galatians 5:6, Galatians 6:15, 1 Corinthians 7:19), it is not being of this party and persuasion, of this or the other opinion in minor things, that will recommend us to God. It will not be asked at the great day, "Who ate flesh, and who ate herbs?" "Who kept holy days, and who did not?" Nor will it be asked, "Who was conformist and who was non-conformist?" But it will be asked, "Who feared God and worked righteousness, and who did not?" Nothing more destructive to true Christianity than placing it in modes, and forms, and circumstantials, which eat out the essentials.
Hebrews 9:10 Leviticus 11:2
They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings--external regulations applying until the time of the new order. Colossians 2:21,22
"Say to the Israelites: 'Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat:
"Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?
These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.Secondly, It is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. These are some of the essentials of Christianity, things in which all the people of God are agreed, in the pursuit of which we must spend our zeal, and which we must mind with an excelling care. Righteousness, peace, and joy, are very comprehensive words; and each of them includes much, both of the foundation and the superstructure of religion. Might I limit the sense of them, it should be thus:--As to God, our great concern is righteousness--to appear before him justified by the merit of Christ's death, sanctified by the Spirit of his grace; for the righteous Lord loveth righteousness. As to our brethren, it is peace--to live in peace and love, and charity with them, following peace with all men: Christ came into the world to be the great peace-maker. As to ourselves, it is joy in the Holy Ghost--that spiritual joy which is wrought by the blessed Spirit in the hearts of believers, which respects God as their reconciled Father and heaven as their expected home. Next to our compliance with God, the life of religion consists in our complacency in him; to delight ourselves always in the Lord. Surely we serve a good Master, who makes peace and joy so essential to our religion. Then and then only we may expect peace and joy in the Holy Ghost when the foundation is laid in righteousness, Isaiah 32:17.
1 Timothy 4:4 Galatians 5:6
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, Galatians 6:15
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. 1 Corinthians 7:19
Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts.
Isaiah 32:17
The fruit of righteousness will be peace;
the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
Source
Commentary by Peoples New Testament
For the kingdom of God. Source
Christ's dominion; the church visibly; personally, his sway over your soul. This does not depend on meat and drink. It rises higher than food questions. Personally, its essence is not in external things. It consists of righteousness. Justification; the forgiveness of sins. Peace. Reconciliation to God, and peace of soul as the result. Joy in the Holy Ghost. The rejoicing of those who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Seek these rather than to eat and drink what you will.
Commentary by Robertson
The kingdom of God (h basileia tou teou). Source
Not the future kingdom of eschatology, but the present spiritual kingdom, the reign of God in the heart, of which Jesus spoke so often. See 1 Corinthians 4:21. Paul scores heavily here, for it is not found in externals like food and drink, but in spiritual qualities and graces.
1 Corinthians 4:21
What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
About Commentary Authors
Prepared by William C. Barman for George Young Memorial United Methodist Church -- Palm Harbor, FL on 9/8/03; 7:07:24 AM