Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 14:17

"for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." — Romans 14:17 (ASV)

For the kingdom of God. For an explanation of this phrase, see Barnes on 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.

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. 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 to 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 human beings. It means that the Christian must so live as to be appropriately called a righteous person, and not a person 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 to Romans 8:13; 1 Peter 2:11. Thus it is said, Every one that does righteousness is born of God (1 John 2:2); and, Whoever does not righteousness is not of God (1 John 3:10).

Compare to 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.

A person who is righteous, whose characteristic it is to lead a holy life, is a Christian. If their great aim is to do the will of God, and if they seek to discharge with fidelity all their duties to God and to humankind, they are renewed. On that righteousness they will not depend for salvation (Philippians 3:8–9), but they will regard this character and this disposition as evidence that they are a Christian, and that the Lord Jesus is made to them 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 their own mind (for comparison, see Barnes on Romans 5:1), but to peace or concord in opposition to contention among fellow believers.

The tendency and design of the kingdom of God is to produce concord and love, and to put an end to alienation and strife. Therefore, even though there might be ground for the opinions which some cherished in regard to rites, 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; 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.

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 a party an occasion of alienation, heart-burning, and discord; or to sow dissensions on account of unimportant points of doctrine or 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, dress, or ceremonies; and often the smaller the matter, the fiercer the controversy, until the 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 Barnes on Romans 5:1).

In the Holy Spirit. Produced by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). Compare to Galatians 5:22-23.