Bible Strands
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Roman congregation's dispute between believers who observe dietary restrictions and those who do not, inserting this verse as his corrective between two exhortations (vv. 16, 18).
The words — βρῶσις (brōsis) is a blunt, physical word for food or eating, set directly against βασιλεία (basileia), kingdom; the contrast is the structural hinge of the sentence.
The thread — The same move appears in 1 Corinthians 4:20 (kingdom "not a matter of talk but of power") and echoes Matthew 6:33, where seeking the kingdom and its righteousness displaces anxiety over material needs.
Why it lands — It removes the reader's ability to settle the question of standing before God by pointing to external observance, leaving only righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit as the measure.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Cross-references
- Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
- Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
- 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.
- Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- Romans 8:6 The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,
- 1 Thessalonians 2:12 encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
- Daniel 2:44 In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever.
- John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
- Philippians 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.