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17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Spirit;(A)

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[a]Now food will not bring us closer to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, nor are we better off if we do.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 8:8–9 Although the food in itself is morally neutral, extrinsic circumstances may make the eating of it harmful. A stumbling block: the image is that of tripping or causing someone to fall (cf. 1 Cor 8:13; 9:12; 10:12, 32; 2 Cor 6:3; Rom 14:13, 20–1). This is a basic moral imperative for Paul, a counterpart to the positive imperative to “build one another up”; compare the expression “giving offense” as opposed to “pleasing” in 1 Cor 10:32–33.

14 so that we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming.(A)

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Practices Contrary to Faith. 16 (A)Let no one, then, pass judgment on you in matters of food and drink or with regard to a festival or new moon or sabbath.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 2:16 Festival or new moon or sabbath: yearly, monthly, and weekly observances determined by religious powers associated with a calendar set by the heavenly bodies, sun, moon, and stars (cf. Col 2:8).