Romans 14:17

Context

In Romans 14:1–15:13, written to the believers in Rome, Paul addresses two groups divided over food and days. One group, "weak" in faith, eats only vegetables ("another, who is weak, eateth herbs," 14:2); the other, the "strong" (15:1), believes it may eat anything. Many interpreters identify the weak as believers who observed the dietary regulations and festivals of the Jewish law. Earlier in the passage (14:15), Paul urges his readers not to destroy a brother on account of food, and in this verse he explains why: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." In verse 19 he goes on to exhort them: "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."

Interpretation

• As a matter of nonessentials: Most commentators read this verse as teaching that regulations about eating and drinking are not the essence of the kingdom of God. The Reformation tradition called matters that Scripture neither commands nor forbids adiaphora (things indifferent), and this chapter is a leading text cited to explain that concept.
• "Righteousness" as justification: Some interpreters understand "righteousness" as the righteousness God gives to those who believe, that is, justification. On this reading, "peace" connects with peace with God (5:1).
• As communal ethics: Because the context concerns relationships among believers, many interpreters read "righteousness, and peace, and joy" as right conduct toward one another and as harmony and joy within the community. Many also accept both readings together.
• Pentecostal and charismatic readings: Pentecostal and charismatic churches often place emphasis on the phrase "in the Holy Ghost." They cite this verse as support for the view that the kingdom of God is manifested as a present experience that the Holy Spirit brings about within believers.

Debates and Issues

• Alcohol and tobacco: Korean churches have a strong tradition of abstaining from alcohol and tobacco. Critics of this tradition cite this verse to argue that matters of eating and drinking cannot serve as a standard of faith. Those who uphold abstinence appeal to verse 21 of the same chapter: "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak."
• Citation out of context: Some point out that using this verse to mean "anything is permissible" does not fit its context. The same applies to using it as grounds for belittling fellowship meals or bodily needs. The point of the chapter, they argue, lies less in freedom itself than in consideration for the weaker brother.
• Translation: Where the Korean Revised Version (Gaeyeok Hangeul) reads pyeonggang and huirak ("peace and joy"), the Revised New Korean Standard Version renders them as pyeonghwa and gippeum. No manuscript variants of theological significance are known for this verse.

Related Passages

• Romans 14:5–6
• Romans 14:19
• Romans 15:13
• 1 Corinthians 4:20
• 1 Corinthians 8:8