Romans 14:10-12
10 “But as for you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you as well, why do you regard your brother or sister with contempt? For we will all appear before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written:
“As I live, says the Lord, to Me every knee will bow,
And every tongue will give praise to God.”
12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.”
Verse 10: Paul questions why believers would judge or treat their fellow brothers and sisters with contempt. He reminds them that it is not their role to pass judgment on others, as we will all ultimately stand before God’s judgment seat. This serves as a reminder to focus on our own identity in God rather than criticizing or looking down upon others. Importantly: Paul is not saying that Christians will be judged for their sins. This would be contradictory to Christ’s finished work. While all will stand before the judgment seat of God in equality, not all will be treated the same. Believers will be welcomed into God’s kingdom while unbelievers will not.
Verse 11: Paul quotes from Isaiah 45:23 to emphasize the universal recognition and acknowledgment of God’s authority. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that God is Lord. This highlights the fact that God alone is the ultimate judge, and it is not our place to take on that role.
Verse 12: Paul concludes this passage by reminding believers that each individual will give an account of themselves to God. This reinforces the idea that our focus should be on our own personal relationship with God and our own actions, rather than being preoccupied with judging or condemning others.
