Romans 14 10

Romans 14:10 kjv

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Romans 14:10 nkjv

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Romans 14:10 niv

You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.

Romans 14:10 esv

Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;

Romans 14:10 nlt

So why do you condemn another believer ? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Romans 14 verses

Romans 14 10 Meaning

Romans 14:10 directly challenges believers against judging or showing contempt towards one another over disputable matters. It asserts that such actions usurp God's role, reminding every individual that they, along with their fellow believers, are accountable directly to the ultimate divine judge: God Himself. The verse serves as a crucial reminder for humility, mutual respect, and focused personal accountability before God.

Romans 14 10 Context

Romans chapter 14 addresses tensions within the early Roman church concerning "disputable matters"—issues not directly addressed by core biblical commands but rather by personal conscience and conviction. Specifically, it touches on dietary restrictions (e.g., eating meat, especially that potentially offered to idols, or being vegetarian) and the observance of particular days. Some believers, described as "weak in faith," held strong convictions on these matters, perhaps due to previous Jewish practices or a sensitivity to idolatry. Others, the "strong," understood their Christian liberty and knew these practices held no inherent spiritual value.

The preceding verses (Rom 14:1-9) establish that believers should welcome each other without judging "disputable matters" (v. 1). Paul contrasts the one who eats all things with the one who eats only vegetables (v. 2) and states that neither should despise or judge the other, for God has accepted both (v. 3). He argues against judging "another's servant" (v. 4) as each stands or falls before their own master. Whether one regards a day as special or not, they should do so for the Lord (vv. 5-6), for no one lives or dies to themselves; all live and die to the Lord (vv. 7-8). Christ died and rose to be Lord of both the dead and the living (v. 9). Romans 14:10, therefore, intensifies this admonition, emphasizing the ultimate reason for refraining from judgment and contempt: God's sovereign authority and impending judgment.

Historically, this situation was common in early Christian communities, integrating believers from diverse backgrounds (Jewish, pagan, various ethical standards), often leading to conflicts over customs and interpretations of liberty versus law. Paul's message is a plea for unity, humility, and brotherly love over self-righteous legalism or reckless liberty.

Romans 14 10 Word analysis

• But: Greek: De (δὲ). Connects to the previous thought (everyone is accountable to the Lord, not each other) and introduces a direct question/exhortation. It implies a contrast or transition to emphasize the current point.
• why: Greek: Ti (τί). An interrogative particle, signifying "for what reason" or "on what grounds." It implies a rhetorical question, challenging the very legitimacy of the action.
• do you judge: Greek: krineis (κρίνεις). From krino (κρίνω), meaning "to judge, decide, distinguish." Here, it carries the negative connotation of critically evaluating, condemning, or passing sentence. In the context, it means making an authoritative, decisive negative judgment over another's personal conviction on disputable matters. It suggests a claim to superior knowledge or spiritual insight not granted to us for fellow believers.
• your brother: Greek: ton adelphon sou (τὸν ἀδελφόν σου). Literally, "the brother of you." Refers to a fellow believer in Christ, emphasizing spiritual family relationship. This relationship demands love and respect, making judgment particularly egregious. The specific personal pronoun "your" highlights the direct affront to the relationship.
• Or: Greek: ē (ἢ). Introduces an alternative question, parallel to the first, adding another dimension to the offense.
• why: Greek: kai sy exoutheneis (καὶ σὺ ἐξουθενεῖς). Literally, "and you despise." kai (καὶ) here is not "and" but introduces the second parallel question.
• do you show contempt for: Greek: exoutheneis (ἐξουθενεῖς). From exoutheneō (ἐξουθενέω), meaning "to treat as of no account, to despise, scorn, disdain, reject as worthless." This is stronger than merely judging; it's an active devaluation, a dismissal of someone's faith or conviction as beneath notice. It's often motivated by perceived spiritual superiority.
• For: Greek: gar (γὰρ). A particle indicating cause or reason. It introduces the foundational justification for the preceding admonitions—the reality of God's universal judgment.
• we will all stand: Greek: pantes gar parastēsometha (πάντες γὰρ παραστησόμεθα). pantes (πάντες) means "all" (everyone, without exception), stressing universality. parastēsometha (παραστησόμεθα) is from paristēmi (παρίστημι), "to present oneself, to stand before." It denotes a formal, public presentation, particularly in a legal or judicial setting. The future tense signifies certainty and inevitability. This emphasizes that both the "strong" and the "weak," the "judger" and the "judged," will equally face this divine examination.
• before the judgment seat of God: Greek: tō bēmati tou Theou (τῷ βήματι τοῦ Θεοῦ).
  • bēmati (βήματι): The "bema" was a raised platform in the Roman forum, from which officials made announcements, addressed assemblies, and rendered judicial decisions. For believers, this evokes a scene of official reckoning or evaluation.
  • tou Theou (τοῦ Θεοῦ): "of God." This unequivocally names the supreme authority. While 2 Corinthians 5:10 refers to the "bema of Christ," this is not a contradiction but emphasizes the unified divine judgment, as Christ is the appointed Judge by the Father (Acts 10:42).

Romans 14 10 Bonus section

The concept of the "judgment seat of God" (βῆμα τοῦ Θεοῦ) is often specifically distinguished from the "Great White Throne Judgment" (Rev 20:11-15). The latter is typically understood as the final judgment for the unsaved and resurrected dead. The former, mentioned here and as the "judgment seat of Christ" (βῆμα τοῦ Χριστοῦ) in 2 Cor 5:10, refers to a judgment for believers. This Bema judgment focuses on the quality of the Christian's works, motivations, and faithfulness in life after salvation, rather than determining their eternal destiny. The outcome affects rewards and responsibilities in God's eternal kingdom, not eternal life itself, which is a gift of grace through faith. This understanding heightens the call for responsible Christian living, including how believers interact and treat one another, especially concerning non-essential matters.

Romans 14 10 Commentary

Romans 14:10 acts as a pivotal moment in Paul's argument against internal church division. It cuts through superficial squabbles by grounding the issue in profound theological truth: universal divine judgment. The rhetorical questions "Why do you judge?" and "Why do you show contempt?" are not seeking answers but rebuking the very act. Judging (κρίνεις) is to set oneself up as the authority over another's spiritual walk, while showing contempt (ἐξουθενεῖς) is even more damaging, nullifying a fellow believer's value or faith-driven actions. Both actions contradict the principle of Christian love and unity, which Paul has passionately championed.

The gravity of this warning is underscored by the phrase "For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God." This reminder of an individual and unavoidable divine accountability should naturally humble believers and redirect their focus from scrutinizing each other to examining their own hearts before God. It's not a judgment for salvation—which is secure in Christ for believers—but an evaluation of one's service, stewardship, and fidelity in discipleship. The purpose of this future Bema Seat of Christ is not condemnation but reward, refinement, and review of how one lived out their faith. Therefore, if every believer must ultimately answer to God for their own choices, there is no place for one to pass ultimate judgment or show scorn for another. This verse is a powerful call to replace critical scrutiny with acceptance, pride with humility, and contempt with the genuine love commanded by Christ, remembering that only God possesses the perfect insight and authority to judge.