John Calvin 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, etc. He now, on the other hand, teaches us that we can abstain without loss from the use of our liberty, because the kingdom of God does not consist in such things. Indeed, those things which are necessary either to build up or preserve the kingdom of God are by no means to be neglected, whatever offenses may result. But if for love’s sake it is lawful to abstain from meat—while God’s honor is uninjured, Christ’s kingdom suffers no harm, and religion is not hindered—then those who disturb the Church for the sake of meat are not to be tolerated. He uses similar arguments in his First Epistle to the Corinthians:

“Meat,” he says, “for the stomach, and the stomach for meat; but God will destroy both” (1 Corinthians 6:13).

Again, “If we eat, we shall not abound” (1 Corinthians 8:8).

By these words he meant briefly to show that meat and drink were things too worthless for the course of the gospel to be impeded on their account.

But righteousness and peace, etc. He, in passing, has set these in opposition to meat and drink; not for the purpose of enumerating all the things which constitute the kingdom of Christ, but of showing that it consists of spiritual things.

He has at the same time no doubt included in a few words a summary of what it is: namely, that we, being well assured, have peace with God and possess real joy of heart through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.

But as I have said, these few things he has adapted to his present subject.

Indeed, he who has become a partaker of true righteousness enjoys a great and invaluable good—even a calm joy of conscience; and he who has peace with God, what can he desire more?

By connecting peace and joy together, he seems to me to express the character of this joy. For however torpid the reprobate may be, or however they may elevate themselves, their conscience is not rendered calm and joyful except when it feels God to be pacified and propitious to it; and there is no solid joy but what proceeds from this peace.

And though, when these things were mentioned, it was necessary for the Spirit to be declared as the author, yet he meant in this place indirectly to oppose the Spirit to external things, so that we might know that the things which belong to the kingdom of God remain complete for us without the use of meats.