Romans 14:12 kjv
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Romans 14:12 nkjv
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Romans 14:12 niv
So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
Romans 14:12 esv
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Romans 14:12 nlt
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.
Romans 14 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 14:10 | ...for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. | Rom 14:10 (Echoes the finality) |
| 1 Corinthians 3:13 | Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one's work is. | 1 Cor 3:13 (Work tested) |
| 2 Corinthians 5:10 | For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive what is due to him for the things done in the body, whether good or evil. | 2 Cor 5:10 (Judgment seat) |
| Hebrews 4:13 | And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. | Heb 4:13 (All is bare) |
| Matthew 12:36 | I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak. | Matt 12:36 (Careless words) |
| Luke 16:2 | So you will not be able to make excuses to yourself. The master called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be manager.’ | Luke 16:2 (Stewardship accountability) |
| Ecclesiastes 12:14 | For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. | Eccl 12:14 (Every deed judged) |
| Acts 17:31 | because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the whole inhabited earth by that righteous person [Jesus] whom he has appointed. Everyone has been given proof of this by raising him from the dead.” | Acts 17:31 (Day of judgment) |
| Revelation 20:12 | And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what each had done as recorded in the books. | Rev 20:12 (Books of deeds) |
| Psalm 62:12 | and to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will give to each according to what he has done. | Ps 62:12 (Repayment according to deeds) |
| Jeremiah 17:10 | I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds. | Jer 17:10 (God searches hearts) |
| Galatians 6:4 | Let each one test his own work, and then his joy will be in himself and not in another. | Gal 6:4 (Self-examination) |
| Romans 14:4 | Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to uphold him. | Rom 14:4 (Master upholds servant) |
| Romans 14:22 | The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to condemn himself for what he approves. | Rom 14:22 (Keeping faith between self and God) |
| Proverbs 16:2 | All the ways of man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. | Prov 16:2 (Man's ways vs God's assessment) |
| 1 Peter 4:5 | They will give an account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. | 1 Pet 4:5 (Account to the judge) |
| Romans 14:11 | For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” | Rom 14:11 (Confession to God) |
| Philippians 2:10 | so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, | Phil 2:10 (Knees bow to Jesus) |
| 1 Samuel 2:3 | Talk no more so very proudly, let arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. | 1 Sam 2:3 (Actions weighed) |
| Matthew 7:1-5 | "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be justified, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. | Matt 7:1-5 (Judging others) |
Romans 14 verses
Romans 14 12 Meaning
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Romans 14 12 Context
This verse is found in the context of Paul's letter to the Romans, specifically addressing divisions within the church, likely between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. The debate revolved around dietary laws and observance of specific days. Paul is encouraging unity and mutual acceptance, urging believers not to judge one another in these matters because they are secondary to the core of the Gospel.
The immediate preceding verses (Romans 14:10-11) cite Old Testament passages from Isaiah and speak of everyone confessing to God and bowing the knee. Verse 12, therefore, flows directly from this concept of universal accountability. The chapter's overarching theme is living peaceably with fellow believers, emphasizing that individual consciences matter, but ultimate judgment belongs to God. The historical context involves a diverse church where varying understandings of the Mosaic Law caused friction.
Romans 14 12 Word analysis
- So (houtōs - οὕτως): This is a conjunction of result, indicating that what follows is a consequence of the preceding statements, particularly the idea that Christ's judgment seat is where everyone is assessed. It links the personal accountability directly to the shared divine judgment.
- then: Connects the personal responsibility to the established fact of divine judgment.
- each (hekastos - ἕκαστος): Emphasizes individuality. It's not a collective accountability, but a deeply personal one. Every single person.
- of
- us (hēmeis - ἡμεῖς): Includes Paul himself along with the Roman believers he is addressing. It signifies a shared human condition under God's scrutiny.
- will give (apodidōsi - ἀποδώσει): Future tense of 'apodedidōmi' (ἀποδίδωμι), meaning to give back, deliver, pay, or render. It signifies a formal rendering of an account. This giving is not optional; it is a required action. It implies paying a debt or yielding what is due.
- an account (logos - λόγον): Literally 'a word', but in this context, it means an account, explanation, or report. It is the reasoning or justification for one's actions and life. It is a statement of facts and reasons, presented before a judge. In accounting and legal terms, it means to account for one's actions and responsibilities.
- of
- himself (heautou - ἑαυτοῦ): Reflective pronoun, pointing back to "each of us." The accountability is personal and concerning one's own life, choices, and character. It underscores that no one can account for another.
- to God (theou - θεοῦ): The ultimate authority and judge to whom the account is rendered. It establishes the divine sphere of judgment.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "So then each of us will give an account of himself": This entire phrase highlights the personal and inevitable nature of divine reckoning. It is not just about external actions, but the internal disposition and stewardship of life's resources and opportunities. The giving of an "account" implies a detailed and accurate rendering before God, much like a steward reporting to his master.
- "give an account of himself to God": This encapsulates the core theological point of the verse: individual, direct responsibility to the Creator and Judge. No intermediaries, no delegation of personal responsibility for one's life choices. This is an intrinsic consequence of God's sovereignty and man's creation in His image, albeit fallen.
Romans 14 12 Bonus section
The concept of giving an account before God is woven throughout Scripture. From Adam in Eden (Gen 3:9-19) to the final judgment described in Revelation (Rev 20:11-15), humanity's responsibility for their actions is a recurring theme. This verse in Romans, however, specifically places it within the context of the Christian life and the believer's standing before the "judgment seat of Christ," a specific divine evaluation for believers discussed further in 2 Corinthians 5:10. It implies that while justification is by faith, there is also an evaluation of works that affects rewards or consequences within God's kingdom, not condemnation. It's a call to active, responsible stewardship of life's journey.
Romans 14 12 Commentary
This verse underscores the personal nature of accountability before God. Every believer will stand individually before God and must provide an account for their life, choices, and deeds. This should temper any tendency to judge or condemn fellow believers for matters of conscience or practice, as our focus must be on our own relationship with God and the account we must give. This divine audit means our actions, motivations, and use of gifts will be thoroughly examined. Therefore, believers are encouraged to self-examine their walk with Christ and live in a way that pleases God, recognizing that ultimate evaluation rests with Him. The recognition of this future personal reckoning promotes humility and encourages mutual forbearance in the present. It’s a reminder that in matters where the Bible is not explicit, our individual convictions, kept in humility and not imposed on others, are matters between ourselves and God.