What is the meaning of Romans 14:10? Why, then, do you judge your brother? Paul’s first question confronts the impulse to pronounce guilt on fellow believers over “disputable matters” (Romans 14:1). In the chapter’s setting, some ate everything, others abstained; some honored one day above another, others saw every day alike. Judging here is not discernment about sin clearly defined in Scripture, but a self-appointed verdict on personal convictions. • Jesus warned, “Do not judge, so that you will not be judged” (Matthew 7:1–2). • James repeats, “He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother … is not a doer of the law but a judge” (James 4:11). • We are called instead to “accept one another, just as Christ accepted you” (Romans 15:7). The literal accuracy of Scripture means every believer must take this prohibition seriously. God reserves ultimate judgment for Himself; believers are to extend grace where Scripture allows liberty. Or why do you belittle your brother? Belittling, or treating with contempt, goes a step beyond judging—it despises people Christ died to redeem (Romans 14:15). Contempt exposes pride and neglect of the command, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another” (Romans 12:10). • Philippians 2:3 urges, “In humility value others above yourselves.” • 1 Corinthians 8:11 reminds that a weaker brother “for whom Christ died” must not be destroyed by our knowledge or freedom. • Ephesians 4:29 instructs words that “build up,” never tear down. Belittling dismisses God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10) and denies the unity Jesus prayed for (John 17:21). Encouragement, not contempt, is the family language of God’s household. For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. Paul grounds his rebuke in the certainty of future accountability. The Bema, “God’s judgment seat,” is where each believer’s works are evaluated, not to determine salvation—that was settled at the cross (Romans 8:1)—but to assess faithfulness. • “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). • “Each will receive his reward” or suffer loss, “yet he himself will be saved” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). • Revelation 22:12 affirms Jesus coming “with My reward … to repay each according to what he has done.” Knowing we will answer personally to the Lord eliminates any rationale for condemning or despising others. The thought should foster humility, vigilance in our own walk, and patience with the differing convictions of fellow saints. summary Romans 14:10 dismantles the twin sins of judgmentalism and contempt by reminding believers that every one of us will face Christ’s evaluation. Because Scripture is literally true, the command not to judge or belittle carries full authority, pressing us to extend grace in disputable matters, honor one another above ourselves, and live mindful of the day we stand before the Lord who alone judges perfectly. |
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