Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 14:17

17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink , but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost .

This Verse contains a New Argument to perswade Christians, not to strive about meats, or such like things; and that is, That the Kingdom of God doth not consist in these, but in weightier Matters. By the Kingdom of God, you may understand the Gospel or true Religion and Godliness; that Kingdom which God Erects in the hearts of Men, Luke 17.21. 1 Cor. 4.20. When he saith, The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, he means, That it doth not stand or consist therein. Meat and Drink are put by a Synecdoche for all things of an indifferent, or middle Nature; such things, as the Apostle elsewhese sayes, commend us not to God, 1 Cor. 8.8. They are no part of his Worship and Service; The Kingdom of God or Godliness is not promoted, either by the use or the forbearance thereof, vid. Gal. 5.6. 1 Tim. 4.8.

Here he tells you Positively wherein the Kingdom of God consisteth, not in outward Observations, but in inward Graces, and gracious Dispositions. He doth not reckon up all, but Contents himself with these three, Righteousness, Peace, and Ioy. By Righteousness, Some understand that which is imputed, of which you read, chap. 4. Others rather▪ That which is implanted and inherent; it is the same with Holiness, both the Habit of it in the Heart, and the Exercise of it in the Life. By Peace, Some think, he means Peace with God, or Peace of Conscience; Others, that he rather means, Peace with Men: Or if you will, peaceableness, or Christian Concord and Vnity. This suits best with what follows, ver. 19. and it is often commended to us in Scripture. By Ioy, may be understood, that spiritual comfort, which ariseth from a present Feeling of the Favour of God, or from a well-grounded Hope of future Salvation. As also, the Comfort and Delight which Christians take in the Good and Welfare of each other. He that loveth his Brother, r[illegible: 1 letter]joyceth in his Welfare, 1 Cor. 13.6. and therefore will not offend, or occasion him to Sin.

This is added, to shew the efficient Cause of these Graces, which is the Spirit of God; and to distinguish this Righteousness, Peace, and Ioy, for that which is meerly Civil and Carnal.