The Meaning of Romans 14:10 Explained

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.

YLT: And thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or again, thou, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand at the tribunal of the Christ;

Darby: But thou, why judgest thou thy brother? or again, thou, why dost thou make little of thy brother? for we shall all be placed before the judgment-seat of God.

ASV: But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Romans 14:10 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Both the critical weaker brother and the scorning stronger brother are guilty of the same offense, namely, judging prematurely and unwarrantedly. Jesus Christ ( Romans 14:9) is the God ( Romans 14:10) who will judge (cf. John 5:22; John 5:27). This then is another reference to the judgment seat (Gr. bema) of Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:10; cf. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15). [1]
"The remembrance that all Christians will have to stand before the judgment-seat of God is a powerful dissuasive from all sitting in judgment on one"s fellows." [1]7

Context Summary

Romans 14:1-12 - Consideration Toward Brethren
The weak conscience needs further instruction. It is anemic and requires the hilltop, with its further view and bracing air; but in the meantime its owner must be guided by its promptings. A man must not take a certain course merely because others do so, unless he can justify their bolder faith and larger freedom. By thought and prayer and the study of God's Word, conscience becomes educated and strengthened, and ceases to worry as to whether we should be vegetarian or not; whether we should observe saints' days, or adopt a specific method of observing the Sabbath. Some people are constantly wondering and questioning about such things, as though their eternal salvation depended on minute observances.
Such would have found but scant comfort from the Apostle. He would have said, "Do the best you know, and when you have once adopted a certain method of life, follow it humbly, until some wider view is opened before you by the Spirit of God." The main principle for us all is to live and die to please our Lord. He is our Master, and it will be for Him to allot our rewards. In the meantime let us not judge one another, but live in love, leaving each to work out the plan of his own life as his Master directs. [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 14

1  Men may not condemn one another for disputable matters;
13  but must take heed that they give no offense in them;
15  which the apostle proves unlawful by many reasons

Greek Commentary for Romans 14:10

But thou, why dost thou judge? [συ δε τι συ κρινεισ]
Referring to the conduct of the “weak” brother in Romans 14:3. [source]
Or thou again [η και συ]
Referring to the “strong” brother. Shall stand before (παραστησομετα — parastēsometha). Future middle of παριστημι — paristēmi and intransitive, to stand beside (παρα — para) with the locative case (τωι βεματι — tōi bemati the judgment seat) as in Acts 27:24. See the same figure of God in 2 Corinthians 5:10. [source]
Shall stand before [παραστησομετα]
Future middle of παριστημι — paristēmi and intransitive, to stand beside (παρα — para) with the locative case (τωι βεματι — tōi bemati the judgment seat) as in Acts 27:24. See the same figure of God in 2 Corinthians 5:10. [source]
Why dost thou judge [σὺ τί κρίνεις]
Thou emphatic, in contrast with the Lord. So Rev., “thou, why dost thou Judge?” Referring to the weak brother. Compare judge as in Romans 14:4. The servant of another is here called brother. [source]
Judgment seat of Christ [τῷ βήματι τοῦ Χριστοῦ]
The best texts read Θεοῦ ofGod So Rev. For judgment-seat, see on to set his foot on, Acts 7:5. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 14:10

Romans 15:15 In some sort [ἀπὸ μέρους]
See on Romans 11:25. Rev., in some measure, qualifying I write, and referring to some passage in which he had spoken with especial plainness; as Romans 6:12, Romans 6:19; Romans 8:9; Romans 11:17; Romans 14:3, Romans 14:4, Romans 14:10, Romans 14:13, Romans 14:15, Romans 14:20, etc. [source]
Romans 15:15 The more boldly [τολμηροτερως]
Old comparative adverb from τολμηρως — tolmērōs Most MSS. read τολμηροτερον — tolmēroteron Only here in N.T. In some measure (απο μερους — apo merous). Perhaps referring to some portions of the Epistle where he has spoken plainly (Romans 6:12, Romans 6:19; Romans 8:9; Romans 11:17; Romans 14:3, Romans 14:4, Romans 14:10, etc.). As putting you again in remembrance Delicately put with ως — hōs and επι — epi in the verb, “as if calling back to mind again” This rare verb is here alone in the N.T. [source]
Romans 15:15 In some measure [απο μερους]
Perhaps referring to some portions of the Epistle where he has spoken plainly (Romans 6:12, Romans 6:19; Romans 8:9; Romans 11:17; Romans 14:3, Romans 14:4, Romans 14:10, etc.). [source]
Revelation 20:11 A great white throne [τρονον μεγαν λευκον]
Here μεγαν — megan (great) is added to the throne pictures in Revelation 4:4; Revelation 20:4. The scene is prepared for the last judgment often mentioned in the N.T. (Matt 25:31-46; Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10). “The absolute purity of this Supreme Court is symbolized by the colour of the Throne” (Swete) as in Daniel 7:9; Psalm 9:1; Psalm 97:2. The name of God is not mentioned, but the Almighty Father sits upon the throne (Revelation 4:2., Revelation 4:9; Revelation 5:1, Revelation 5:7, Revelation 5:13; Revelation 6:16; Revelation 7:10, Revelation 7:15; Revelation 19:4; Revelation 21:5), and the Son sits there with him (Hebrews 1:3) and works with the Father (John 5:19-21; John 10:30; Matthew 25:31.; Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:1). [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 14:10 mean?

You however why judge you the brother or you or also do despise of you All for we will stand before the judgment seat of God
Σὺ δὲ τί κρίνεις τὸν ἀδελφόν σου καὶ ἐξουθενεῖς σου πάντες γὰρ παραστησόμεθα τῷ βήματι τοῦ Θεοῦ

δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
τί  why 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: τίς  
Sense: who, which, what.
κρίνεις  judge  you 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: κρίνω  
Sense: to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose.
ἀδελφόν  brother 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.
σου  or  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ἐξουθενεῖς  do  despise 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἐξουθενέω 
Sense: to make of no account, despise utterly.
σου  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
παραστησόμεθα  we  will  stand  before 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 1st Person Plural
Root: παριστάνω 
Sense: to place beside or near.
βήματι  judgment  seat 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: βῆμα  
Sense: a step, pace, the space which a foot covers, a foot-breath.
Θεοῦ  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.