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

All of us will stand before God's judgment seat.

Romans 14 10 Context

This verse is found in Romans chapter 14, which addresses issues of conscience and division within the early church, specifically concerning disagreements over dietary laws and the observance of special days. Paul is guiding believers on how to interact with one another despite differing practices based on their understanding of their faith. The overarching theme is unity and mutual respect within the body of Christ, rather than judgmentalism or condemnation of fellow believers. The immediate context leading up to verse 10 discusses judging one another for disputable matters like eating meat or observing particular days. Paul is emphasizing that the focus should be on glorifying God and being considerate of others' faith.

Romans 14 10 Word Analysis

• "For" (γαρ - gar): This is a conjunction used to indicate a reason or explanation. It connects the prohibition of judging with the upcoming reality of universal judgment.
• "we" (ἡμεῖς - hēmeis): This is the first-person plural pronoun, referring to all believers collectively, including the one doing the judging and the one being judged. It broadens the scope from individual interactions to a shared accountability.
• "shall all stand" ( πάντες στήσονται - pantēs stēsontai):
  • "all" (πάντες - pantēs): Means "all," "every." It underscores the universality of this judgment – no one is exempt.
  • "stand" (στήσονται - stēsontai): Future passive indicative of histēmi (ἵστημι). It implies standing in readiness to be presented or examined. It carries a sense of appearance and accountability before an authority.
• "before" (ἐνώπιον - enōpion): Means "in the presence of," "before." It highlights the directness and visibility of the upcoming event.
• "the judgment seat" (τοῦ βήματος - tou bēmatos): This refers to a tribunal or place of judgment. In the Greco-Roman world, a "bema" was a raised platform from which magistrates pronounced judgments or gave addresses. In this context, it signifies the place where Christ will judge. The term implies a formal assessment and pronouncement.
• "of God" (τοῦ θεοῦ - tou theou): Denotes the authority and source of the judgment. It refers to God the Father, but given the New Testament context, it can also encompass the Godhead, including Christ as the ultimate judge.

Word Group Analysis:

• "we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God": This phrase collectively points to a future, inescapable divine evaluation for every believer. The "standing" is not one of a defeated foe, but of one presented for examination, where one's deeds and the integrity of one's faith will be assessed. The emphasis is on ultimate accountability to God, superseding any temporary judgment or disagreement between fellow believers. This universal judgment serves as a profound reminder of our shared responsibility and the need for humility in our interactions with one another.

Romans 14 10 Bonus Section

The concept of standing before a "judgment seat" or bema (βῆμα) was familiar to the Greek audience. It evoked images of civic courts where pronouncements were made and decisions rendered. Paul uses this analogy to illustrate the serious and definitive nature of divine judgment. While Romans 14 primarily focuses on a judgment related to the outcome of one's walk with Christ (as further elaborated in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 regarding works), it serves as a profound principle that permeates all aspects of future accountability before God. The phrase "judgment seat of God" in this context points to the finality and divine authority of the assessment. The ultimate judge is God himself, who holds all authority.

Romans 14 10 Commentary

The Apostle Paul admonishes believers not to judge or criticize fellow Christians for matters of conscience that are not clearly forbidden in scripture. He posits that the arena of judgment is not between human beings but ultimately before God. Every believer will personally stand before the judgment seat of Christ (often referred to as the bema seat of Christ, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:10). This divine assessment will scrutinize works, faith, and motivations. Therefore, instead of prematurely judging and condemning one another on disputable issues, believers should exercise grace and tolerance, recognizing that the final evaluation comes from God alone. This encourages a posture of humility, mutual respect, and focus on our personal accountability to the Lord.

Practical Usage:

• When tempted to criticize another believer's lifestyle choices that are not sinful according to Scripture.
• When observing others who may have different understandings of how to live out their faith in daily life.
• When remembering that personal faith practices, when not mandated, are between the individual and God.
• To foster a more gracious and less critical attitude toward brothers and sisters in Christ.