Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the REVISED STANDARD VERSION ( RSV ). Romans 14:12, 13 read as follows:
"12 So each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Then let us no more pass judgment on one another, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother."
Verse thirteen ( above ) has two cross-references: (1) Matthew 7:1 and (2) 1 Corinthians 8:13.
Matthew 7:1 reads as follows: "'Judge not, that you be not judged.'" First Corinthians 8:13 reads as follows: "13 Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall." In the first verse thirteen, the apostle Paul ( see 1:1 ) wrote ( see 7:1; 9:1; and 16:22, for example ) that we, as the heavenly Father's saints ( see Exodus 24:7, 8; Psalm 50:5 ( KJV, for example ); Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14; Mark 16:16; Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example; KJV, for example ); John 1:24-29 ( especially verse 29, for example ); Acts 2:38; 10:34-43 ( especially verse 43, for example ); 11:26; Romans 1:7; 5:1; 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ); 15:13; Colossians 1:15-20 ( especially verse 20, for example ); Hebrews, chapter 7 ( especially verses 22 and 27, for example ); 10:19-25 ( especially verse 22, for example ); 12:18-24 ( especially verse 24, for example ); 1 Peter 1:1, 2 ( especially verse 2, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-5 ( especially verse 5, for example ), for example ), are not to pass judgment on one another hypocritically ( keeping in mind the context of the first five verses of Matthew, chapter seven ).
Additionally, Paul, here, is not writing that we are not to pass judgment on one another at all, for he also writes that we are to decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in our brother's way. It is a sin ( see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151; John 17:1, 3, and 17; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17; and 1 John 3:4, for example ), not only to be the source of spiritual stumbling or hindrance for a brother ( see 2 Corinthians 11:29, for example ), but also to judge that one for falling spiritually when we caused it ( see also the second verse thirteen ). It is with this in mind, that we must remember that "each of us shall give account of himself to God" ( as we read in verse twelve ).
Please read the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Luke 8:19-21 ( especially verse 21, for example ); 11:27, 28 ( especially verse 28, for example ); and Revelation 1:1-8 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ). If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>.
