Romans 14:10

“ But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou also, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? For we shall all stand at the judgment-seat of Christ. ”

The δέ, but, contrasts the incompetent judgment of a brother, with the judgment of this one Lord.

The first question is addressed to the weak; comp. Romans 14:3. The second, connected by: or thou also, to the strong. The also is explained by the fact that contempt is likewise a mode of judging. No one ought to be withdrawn from his rightful judge, who is the Lord alone.

The all is prefixed to remind us that no one will escape from that judge. It is well said, no doubt, John 5:24, that the believer “shall not come into judgment;” but that does not mean that he shall not appear before the tribunal (2 Corinthians 5:10). Only he will appear there to be owned as one who has already voluntarily judged himself by the light of Christ's word and under the discipline of His Spirit; comp. John 12:48 and 1 Corinthians 11:31.

The Alexs. and Greco-Lats. read τοῦ Θεοῦ : “the judgment-seat of God. ” This expression must then be explained in the sense: the divine tribunal, where Christ will sit as God's representative. For never is God Himself represented as seated on the judgment throne. But is it not the two following verses which have given rise to this reading?