Romans 14:10

Amplified Bible

But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you again, why do you look down on your [believing] brother or regard him with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God [who alone is judge].

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
So why do you judge your brother or sister in Christ? Or why do you think that you are better than they are? We will all stand before God, and he will judge us all.

Revised Standard Version
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God;

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
But why doest thou then iudge thy brother? Other why doest thou despyse thy brother? We shall all be brought before the iudgement seate of Christ.

Hebrew Names Version
But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Messiah.

International Standard Version
Why, then, do you criticize your brother? Or why do you despise your brother? For all of us will stand before the judgment seat of God.of Christ">[fn]Matthew 25:31-32; Acts 10:42; 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Jude 1:14-15;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
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.

New Century Version
So why do you judge your brothers or sisters in Christ? And why do you think you are better than they are? We will all stand before God to be judged,

Update Bible Version
But you, why do you judge your brother? or you again, why do you set at nothing your brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God.

Webster's Bible Translation
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.

English Standard Version
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;

World English Bible
But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou despise thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.

Weymouth's New Testament
But you, why do you find fault with your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon your brother? We shall all stand before God to be judged;

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But what demest thou thi brothir? or whi dispisist thou thi brothir? for alle we schulen stonde bifore the trone of Crist.

English Revised Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.

Contemporary English Version
Why do you criticize other followers of the Lord? Why do you look down on them? The day is coming when God will judge all of us.

American Standard Version
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.

Bible in Basic English
But you, why do you make yourself your brother's judge? or again, why have you no respect for your brother? because we will all have to take our place before God as our judge.

Complete Jewish Bible
You then, why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For all of us will stand before God's judgment seat;

Darby Translation
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.

Etheridge Translation
Or thou, also, why despisest thou thy brother ? For we shall all stand before the tribunal of the Meshiha:

Murdock Translation
But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or, why dost thou despise thy brother? For we must all stand before the judgment seat of Messiah,

King James Version (1611)
But why doest thou iudge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? Wee shall all stand before the Iudgement seat of Christ.

New Living Translation
So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

New Life Bible
Why do you try to say your Christian brother is right or wrong? Why do you hate your Christian brother? We will all stand before God to be judged by Him.

New Revised Standard
Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Geneva Bible (1587)
But why doest thou condemne thy brother? or why doest thou despise thy brother? for we shal all appeare before the iudgement seate of Christ.

George Lamsa Translation
Why, then, do you judge your brother? or why do you despise your brother? for we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? Aye! and thou, why dost thou despise thy brother? For, all of us, shall present ourselves unto the judgment seat of God;

Douay-Rheims Bible
But thou, why judgest thou thy brother? Or thou, why dost thou despise thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
But why doest thou then iudge thy brother? Either, why doest thou despise thy brother? We shalbe all brought before the iudgement seate of Christe.

Good News Translation
You then, who eat only vegetables—why do you pass judgment on others? And you who eat anything—why do you despise other believers? All of us will stand before God to be judged by him.

Christian Standard Bible®
But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

King James Version
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.

Lexham English Bible
But why do you judge your brother? Or also, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Literal Translation
But why do you judge your brother? Or why also do you despise your brother? For all shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Young's Literal Translation
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;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But why iudgest thou yi brother? Or thou other, why despysest thou yi brother? We shal all be broughte before ye iudgmet seate of Christ.

Mace New Testament (1729)
why then dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou think contemptibly of thy brother? since we shall all of us be brought before the judgment-seat of Christ.

THE MESSAGE
So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I'd say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we're all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture: "As I live and breathe," God says, "every knee will bow before me; Every tongue will tell the honest truth that I and only I am God." So tend to your knitting. You've got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God.

New English Translation
But you who eat vegetables only—why do you judge your brother or sister? And you who eat everything—why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

New King James Version
But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. [fn]

Simplified Cowboy Version
So why do you keep quarreling with others who ride for God? What gives you the right to look down your nose at them? We will all stand in front of the Boss one day to be judged.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
But 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.

Legacy Standard Bible
But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you view your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Contextual Overview

¹As for the one whose faith is weak, accept him [into your fellowship], but not for [the purpose of] quarreling over his opinions. ²One man's faith permits him to eat everything, while the weak believer eats only vegetables [to avoid eating ritually unclean meat or something previously considered unclean]. ³The one who eats [everything] is not to look down on the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat must not criticize or pass judgment on the one who eats [everything], for God has accepted him. ⁴Who are you to judge the servant of another? Before his own master he stands [approved] or falls [out of favor]. And he [who serves the Master—the Lord] will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. ⁵One person regards one day as better [or more important] than another, while another regards every day [the same as any other]. Let everyone be fully convinced (assured, satisfied) in his own mind. ⁶He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord. He who eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while he who abstains, abstains for the Lord and gives thanks to God. ⁷None of us lives for himself [for his own benefit, but for the Lord], and none of us dies for himself [but for the Lord]. ⁸If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. ⁹For Christ died and lived again for this reason, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. ¹⁰But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you again, why do you look down on your [believing] brother or regard him with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God [who alone is judge].

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

set: Romans 14:3, Romans 14:4, Luke 23:11, Acts 4:11

for: Romans 2:16, Ecclesiastes 12:14, Matthew 25:31, Matthew 25:32, John 5:22, Acts 10:42, Acts 17:31, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Jude 1:14, Jude 1:15, Revelation 20:11-15

Reciprocal: Judges 11:27 - the Judge 1 Samuel 2:10 - judge 1 Kings 19:18 - the knees Psalms 7:8 - The Lord Psalms 22:29 - bow Ecclesiastes 11:9 - know Isaiah 45:23 - That unto Zechariah 14:17 - that Matthew 7:1 - General Matthew 18:10 - heed Matthew 23:8 - one Matthew 26:64 - Hereafter Mark 15:19 - and bowing Luke 6:37 - Judge Luke 18:9 - and despised Luke 19:15 - that he John 16:11 - judgment Acts 17:18 - Jesus Romans 14:13 - judge one 1 Corinthians 8:1 - Knowledge Galatians 6:5 - General Philippians 2:10 - every Colossians 2:16 - judge James 4:11 - and judgeth 1 Peter 4:5 - that Revelation 5:8 - the four Revelation 20:12 - stand

Cross-References

Genesis 11:3
They said one to another, "Come, let us make bricks and fire them thoroughly [in a kiln, to harden and strengthen them]." So they used brick for stone [as building material], and they used tar (bitumen, asphalt) for mortar.

Genesis 19:17
When they had brought them outside, one [of the angels] said, "Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, or stop anywhere in the entire valley; escape to the mountains [of Moab], or you will be consumed and swept away."

Genesis 19:30
Now Lot went up from Zoar, and lived in the mountain together with his two daughters, for he was afraid to stay [any longer] in Zoar; and he lived in a cave with his two daughters.

Joshua 8:24
When Israel had finished killing all the inhabitants of Ai in the field in the wilderness where they pursued them, and they had all fallen by the edge of the sword until they were destroyed, then all Israel returned to Ai and struck it with the edge of the sword.

Psalms 83:10
Who were destroyed at En-dor, Who became like dung for the earth.

Isaiah 24:18
Then it will be that he who flees at the sound of terror will fall into the pit, And he who comes up out of the pit will be caught in the snare; For the windows of heaven are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble.

Jeremiah 48:44
"The one who flees from the terror Will fall into the pit, And the one who gets up out of the pit Will be taken and caught in the trap; For I shall bring upon it, even upon Moab, The year of their punishment," says the LORD.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But why dost thou judge thy brother?.... These words are spoken to the man weak in faith, that scrupled eating of certain meats, and chose rather eat none, and live on herbs, and who esteemed one day above another; and was very apt to censure and condemn such as made use of their Christian liberty in these things, though they were brethren, not in a natural or civil, but in a spiritual relation:

or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? these words, on the other hand, are directed to the stronger believer, who believed he might eat all things, and esteemed every day alike; being fully persuaded, that the distinction of meats and of days was now ceased; and such were apt to be puffed up with their superior knowledge and faith, and were ready to treat with an air of contempt those that were weak; showing little or no regard to their peace and edification, though they stood in the same relation to each other. The emphasis lies upon the word "brother", in both branches of the expostulation; and the force of the apostle's reasoning is that they should not judge or despise one another, because they were brethren, stood in the same relation to God and Christ, belonged to the same family, were partakers of the same grace, and had no pre-eminence one over another; they had but one master, and all they were brethren: and which he further enforces with the following reason or argument,

for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ; at the last day, when he shall sit on his throne of glory, and all nations shall be gathered before him, and he shall pronounce and execute the decisive sentence on each of them: there is a particular, and a general judgment; a particular judgment at death, when the soul is immediately consigned to bliss or woe; and a general one in the end of time; which may be proved both from reason, as from the relation creatures stand in to God, from the inequality of things in this life, and the conscious fears of men with respect to a future one; and from divine revelation, Christ will be the Judge, he is so appointed by his Father, and is every way fit for it, being God omniscient and omnipotent; and when he shall appear in his glory, he shall sit on his judgment seat, the dead will be raised, the books will be opened, and all shall be summoned to appear before him, of every age and sex, of every rank and degree, and of every character, good or bad: here the saints are particularly designed, "we shall all stand"; whether ministers or private Christians, weak or strong believers; they that are apt to judge, and others that are too ready to despise; they shall all stand before the tribunal of Christ, who is sole Judge, and shall render to every man according to his works, and from whom they shall all receive their sentence. The allusion is to human courts of judicature, in which the judge sits upon a bench, and they that are tried stand before him; see 2 Corinthians 5:10. The Alexandrian copy reads, "the judgment seat of God".

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But why ... - Since we are all subjects and servants alike, and must all stand at the same tribunal, what right have we to sit in judgment on others?

Thou judge - Thou who art a “Jewish” convert, why dost thou attempt to arraign the “Gentile” disciple, as if he had violated a law of God? compare Romans 14:3.

Thy brother - God has recognised him as his friend Romans 14:3, and he should be regarded by thee as “a brother” in the same family.

Or why dost thou set at nought - Despise Romans 14:3; why dost thou, who art a “Gentile” convert, despise the “Jewish” disciple as being unnecessarily scrupulous and superstitious?

Thy brother - The Jewish convert is now a brother; and all the contempt which you Gentiles once cherished for the Jew should cease, from the fact that “he” is now “a Christian.” Nothing will do so much, on the one hand, to prevent a censorious disposition, and on the other, to prevent contempt for those who are in a different rank in life, as to remember that they are “Christians,” bought with the same blood, and going to the same heaven as ourselves.

We must all stand ... - That is, we must all be tried alike at the same tribunal; we must answer for our conduct, not to our-fellow man, but to Christ; and it does not become us to sit in judgment on each other.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Romans 14:10. But why dost thou — Christian Jew, observing the rites of the Mosaic law, judge-condemn thy brother-the Christian Gentile, who does not think himself bound by this law?

Or why dost thou — Christian Gentile, set at nought thy Christian Jewish brother, as if he were unworthy of thy regard, because he does not yet believe that the Gospel has set him free from the rites and ceremonies of the law?

It is a true saying of Mr. Heylin, on this verse: The superstitious are prone to judge, and those who are not superstitious are prone to despise.

We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. — Why should we then judge and condemn each other? We are accountable to God for our conduct, and shall be judged at his bar; and let us consider that whatever measure we mete, the same shall be measured unto us again.