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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Rom_14:10-12
10But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shallbow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God." 12So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.
Rom_14:10 "But you" This is fronted for emphasis.
▣ The two questions of Rom_14:10 are the focus of Rom_14:1-12. The two groups referred to in Rom_14:3 are again contrasted. One group "judges," the other group regards "with contempt." Both attitudes are inappropriate for "slaves!" Their master, Jesus Christ, is the only One who has the right to "criticize" or "look down on." For believers to act as judge (1) usurps God's place and (2) is preliminary and incomplete.
▣ "we will all stand before the judgment seat of God" This same truth is expressed in 2Co_5:10. Believers will explain to the Lord how they treated one another. Jesus will act as divine Judge (cf. Mat_25:31-46).
The NKJV has "the judgment seat of Christ." The Greek manuscripts that support the KJV are the early correctors of the ancient uncial Greek manuscripts à cf8 i2, and C2. Theos is in MSS à , B, C, D, F and G. Scribes probably changed the Greek text to conform to 2Co_5:10. It is also possible that the scribes changed this verse to oppose the early view of Christ called "adoptionism." There are several textual variants that seem to have been made to make the text more orthodox (cf. Bart D. Ehrman's The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture, published by Oxford University Press, 1993), pp. 90-91. The UBS4 gives Theos a "B" rating (almost certain).
Rom_14:11 "For it is written" This is a perfect passive indicative. This was a specialized Hebrew idiom that was used to describe inspired OT quotes. This is an allusion to Isa_45:23, which is also quoted in Php_2:10-11.
▣ "As I live" This is an oath formula which is a word play on the Covenant name for God, YHWH, which is a form of the Hebrew verb "to be" (cf. Exo_3:14). He is the ever-living, only-living God. Therefore, He is swearing by His own existence. See Special Topic: Names for Deity at Rom_9:29.
Rom_14:12 "So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God" Christians will be judged (cf. 2Co_5:10), and criticizing brothers will be part of that experience. Some ancient Greek manuscripts omit "to God." It is obviously implied by the context. This variant may have been influenced by the variant in Rom_14:10. The UBS4 gives its inclusion (i.e., MSS à , A, C, D) a "C" rating (difficulty in deciding).
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS ON Rom_14:13-23
A. The subject of how Christians should treat each other began in Rom_14:1-12. It is based on the truth that they are to fully accept all types of Christians because Christ, who is their only master and judge, fully accepts both groups. Often spiritual things that are significant to one group because of their past, their personality type, their parents, their personal preferences, their experiences, etc. are not significant to God.
B. This second section of the discussion of Christian freedom and responsibility develops the subject from a different point of view. In these verses it is the believer's love for God, in Christ, that motivated him/her to love fellow Christians. As Jesus laid down His life for believers, they are to lay down their freedom for those (i.e., other believers) for whom He died (cf. 2Co_5:13-14; 1Jn_3:16). This emphasis on love as the basic motive of the Christian life is also seen in Rom_13:8-10 in believer's relations with non-believers.
C. The truth that all things in the physical world are clean is very difficult for some Christians to accept. Often even believers place the blame for sin on "things" instead of themselves (i.e., "demon rum"). Paul states repeatedly that all things are clean (cf. Rom_14:14; Rom_14:20; 1Co_6:12; 1Co_10:25-26; 1Ti_4:4; Tit_1:15). His statements follow Jesus' teachings about food in Mar_7:18-23. Clean and unclean food is used as an illustration to Peter of God's acceptance of Cornelius in Act_10:15.
D. This section is primarily addressed to the "stronger brother." Paul concedes the half-truth of the statement that "all things are clean," but adds that all things do not build up or edify the family of God (cf. 1Co_6:12; 1Co_10:23). The strong brother's freedom can devastate other Christians. Believers are their fellow believers' keepers, through Christ and for Christ.
E. It is very interesting that Paul does not state or imply that the "weaker brother" is in a spiritual process which will lead to becoming a "strong brother." This whole discussion does not address growing in grace, but the priority of love between differing Christian understandings. Believers' inclusion in one of the two groups is based more on personality type, religious training, and personal experiences than "right" or "wrong." The believer's task is not changing others but loving and respecting the other group. It is an issue of the heart, not the mind. God loves, accepts and gave His Son for all mankind, for both groups.