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Romans 14:10
ESV 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;
NIV You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister ? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
NASB 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.
CSB 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.
NLT 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.
KJV 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.
NKJV 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.

What does Romans 14:10 mean?

Paul has spent the previous three verses showing that every Christian belongs to the Lord, both in this life and in the life to come. In fact, that is why Christ came to die and be resurrected: to become Lord of those currently living and those who have died.

Given that, Paul now asks, why would any Christian ever see it as their place to judge or despise their siblings in Christ? This is in the specific context of issues where the Bible is not clear, such as eating meat or celebrating certain holy days. It's true that there will be a judgment, Paul insists, but we will not be the ones sitting in the judge's chair. Instead, we will be standing before the judge along with every other Christian in history.

This judgment seat is described in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. It comes during the end times. Christ will judge the works of all believers. He will not be deciding whether we go to heaven or hell. That was decided when we came to God through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). Instead, as 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." That is, Jesus will look at our choices in this life and reward good works (1 Corinthians 4:5), while holding us accountable in some way— through a loss of rewards, perhaps—for our worthless actions (1 Corinthians 3:8).

In Romans 14:10, then, Paul is saying that the day of judgment is real and it is coming. Judging other Christians now is not our job.
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