10 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.
Another reason why Christians should not judge fellow-believers is that that prerogative belongs to God. His right to judge rests on His lordship (v. 9). He has the right to judge us and He will do it impartially at the judgment seat of God.
10 But why do you [emphatic] judge your brother?
Note the emphasis on “you” and “brother” in this phrase and the next. Judging our brothers in Christ is a family issue, the family of Christ—and judging our brothers is a sin. The idea of sinning against the family of God is a serious matter. This question is aimed at the weak brother.
Or why do you [emphatic] show contempt for [despise] your brother?
Note also the repeated emphatic use of “you” and the repeated “brother.” Paul shouted at the Romans to take notice of this important matter. Brother does not have the right to judge brother.
The word “contempt” is a strong term for despise. Judging leads to contempt or despising. This is the case of the strong or mature brother. There is a temptation of the strong to despise the weak Christian’s lack of biblical knowledge about the grace principle.
PRINCIPLE:
Judging fellow Christians is a family matter.
APPLICATION:
Sinning against the family of God is a serious matter. Unity in the body of Christ is important to God. Both immature and mature Christians have a peculiar temptation. The temptation of the weaker brother is to judge what the mature believer does. The temptation of the stronger brother is to despise the weaker brother’s inadequate understanding of Scripture. Neither has the right to pass judgment on the other.
