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Romans 14:13
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
As it usually does, the word therefore at the beginning of today’s verse signals that Paul has arrived at a conclusion. And indeed, he immediately presents the point toward which he has been working in the past few verses: “Let us not judge one another anymore.” He has showed that it is improper for Christians to pass judgment on brothers and sisters over things about which God’s will is unclear. Thus, it needs to stop. Both those who are weak in the faith and those who are strong simply need to discipline themselves not to question the salvation of fellow believers over the way they choose to behave when it comes to “doubtful things.”
But it is often the case in Scripture that a command to refrain from some action implies the necessity to engage in another action. This is one such case. Not only are we to stop judging, we are to “resolve . . . not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” In other words, we must do our best not to do anything that might tempt another brother or sister to judge us. Paul has spoken strongly to both the weak and the strong in chapter 14, and he addressed a particular exhortation to the weak in 14:4. But here he speaks primarily to those who are strong in the faith. The strong, he writes, those who have a more advanced understanding of their liberty as Christians where God has not spoken, have a responsibility to their weaker brothers and sisters. Simply put, if a weaker believer has a scruple about a particular behavior, and the stronger believer knows about it, the stronger one has a responsibility to refrain from that activity so that the weaker one will not be troubled—even though the stronger one knows that the activity is not prohibited by God in Scripture. “We are free as Christians, but we must use our freedom in a way that supports, helps, or builds up the other person, not in a way that harms him or tears him down,” Dr. James M. Boice writes.
Today’s verse not only serves as a conclusion to Paul’s thought in the previous few verses, it also sets the stage for the upcoming material. Paul will continue to speak primarily to the strong as he moves on through chapter 14 and into 15. He will show us in greater detail how believers are to live together when they disagree, but he particularly will help us see how the strong are to exercise their Christian liberty.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
It may not be too great of an exaggeration to say that judging others is as natural as breathing for us. But it should not be so. We must recognize when we are judging others and consciously refuse to do so. This is a difficult task, one that requires divine aid. Ask God by His Spirit to help you sincerely want to refrain from judging others.
For Further Study
- Matthew 7:1
- Romans 2:3
- James 4:12